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Board told monitoring-well plan and expanded EA scope remain unresolved for Launiupoko and Honolua wells
Summary
Board members were told an earlier draft environmental assessment was retracted while staff incorporates additional Honolua wells into the Launiupoko EA; the monitoring well requested by CWRM/Water Resources Division lacks a defined lead and funding source.
Members pressed staff on the status of monitoring wells and the environmental assessment (EA) process for Launiupoko and Honolua. James Jensen, Engineering Program Manager, said the monitoring well is not a source-development project and is not being paid through the federal funding that was the focus of the HMGP/CDBG-DR presentation; the location, lead agency, and funding for monitoring need further vetting.
Member Helly noted an earlier EA draft was retracted and that the Native Hawaiian Council asked the department to stop segmenting wells; staff said they are incorporating H1 and H2 into a revised EA that will also update cultural and archaeological studies. Ochwat described the EA sequence—early consultation to about 30 agencies, a draft EA with a 30-day posting, agency comment incorporation, and a final EA followed by a 30-day public protest period—and reiterated that work cannot begin until acceptance is complete.
Board members asked staff to include monitoring-well status and any EPA-funded wells in an updated timeline so the board can see which elements rely on which funding sources and which are constrained by EA milestones.
