DHHL presents Molokaʻi planning, drainage and water updates; staff warn of meter shortfall and outline resilience projects

DHHL planning and land-development staff updated the Hawaiian Homes Commission on Molokaʻi projects and water issues, describing infrastructure work, environmental studies and community resilience planning intended to support future homestead awards.

Key takeaways - Cesspools and septic inventory: DHHL reported that a final cesspool assessment (completed July 2023) verified 403 cesspools and 109 septic tanks on Molokaʻi. The department said it is preparing for state requirements to upgrade or convert onsite wastewater systems. - Drainage and flood study: After storm damage in December 2022, DHHL began a hydraulic study in May 2024 to model runoff, drainage paths and flood flows for seven streams; staff said the study should be complete by May 2025 and will inform future drainage and flood-risk projects. - Scattered lots and Naiva agricultural subdivision: Land Development Division staff described ongoing design, environmental review and construction planning. The Naiva project budget was reported as roughly $30 million with infrastructure work (roads, potable and irrigation water, electricity, drainage, detention basins) and an estimated 66 planned subdivision lots; staff said construction is underway and they expect to complete site work in mid-2026. - Awards schedule and project-leases rollout: DHHL reported it has already issued nearly 1,200 project leases this year (about 1,146 reported earlier in the meeting) and has a schedule that could yield roughly 1,600 additional awards through the remainder of the calendar year; staff warned dates may shift based on venue availability and other logistical constraints. - Water allocation and meter shortfall: Sherry Kaʻanana, Planning Office water program specialist, reported that DHHL’s 2021 water use permit set allocation at 595,000 gallons per day (gpd) based on a 12-month moving average; when new flow meters were installed in 2021, the 12-month average data revised the estimate of use to about 513,000 gpd. Staff said the system currently can provide meters for existing commitments, but the department estimates a shortfall of meters sufficient for about 75 future planned homestead lots that will connect to the Hoʻolehua water system. - Water credits procedure and reservation by rule: DHHL described a water-credits allocation procedure (to prioritize allocation of meters and credits for DHHL lands) and discussed efforts to seek groundwater reservations by rule from the Commission on Water Resource Management. Staff said they requested deferment of the Ualapūʻe reservation to allow for more community consultation. - Community resilience planning: Cody Winchester of Group 70 presented a resiliency plan funded by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. Planners said the project produced an accessible, community-oriented plan that identifies 15 priority resilience projects (five per homestead area) and integrates traditional ecological knowledge, hydrology analysis and on-the-ground beneficiary input.

Quotes on record - "The final report verified 403 cesspools and 109 septic tanks," said planning staff during the presentation of the Molokaʻi cesspool assessment. - "The 12-month moving average was actually closer to 513,000 gallons a day," said Sherry Kaʻanana, Planning Office water program specialist, summarizing metered flow data and the resulting allocation consequence for future meters. - Cody Winchester, the consultant presenting the coastal resilience plan, said the project was designed to be "accessible for beneficiaries" and to produce community-ready products and next-step funding opportunities.

Next steps and follow-up - DHHL staff said they will complete environmental documentation and publish the final EA for scattered lots by summer 2025 and continue site construction with an aim to complete by mid-2026 for selected projects. - On water, staff restated that requests for new meters must follow the water-credits procedure and that DHHL will continue coordinating with the Commission on Water Resource Management for reservations by rule. The planning office will continue outreach and beneficiary consultation for Malama Cultural Park, Kalaupapa engagement, and resilience projects.

Ending Commissioners thanked staff and community participants for extensive consultations and asked for continued outreach on water allocation, drainage remediation, and how resilience projects will be prioritized and funded.