In September 2013, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park petitioned the State Commission on Water Resource Management to designate the Keauhou aquifer of North Kona as a state Water Management Area for groundwater. What does this mean and why should we be concerned?
The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce has been following this issue and ratified a position statement in opposition to the designation.
For those who may not be aware of or understand this important petition, here are some key points relevant to support or oppose the petition:
There are other areas in the state that have been designated as water management areas – most all of Oahu, Molokai and the Na Wai Eha area on Maui.
The NPS has requested the petition to “seek the state’s assistance in protecting non-consumptive Public Trust uses of fresh groundwater in and around Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.” The National Park Service states it filed the petition because its mission requires the service to manage and prevent impairment of the resources it is entrusted to protect.
If the state water commission agrees with the petition, they establish administrative control over the Keauhou aquifer and its distribution, thereby taking away control from the current management of the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply.
Should this take place, everyone must apply for a water permit from the state, including those with existing water permits. An application for a water permit is a discretionary permit, which requires public hearings before the commission. During the application process, the public may file an objection and appear as a party in the proceedings. Commission procedures include contested case hearings under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 91. This means the County of Hawaii DWS will need to apply for water permits for all its existing users. In addition, they have stated that based on their current understanding of the process, DWS will postpone installation of new water services until all existing permits have been settled. This would impact any new developments, including Hawaii Community College—Palamanui and the Kona judiciary complex. The designation may also be in opposition to the Kona Community Development Plan.
The Commission will be tasked with interpreting the State Water Code, (174C-41(a)), which states in part: “When it can be reasonably determined, after conducting scientific investigations and research, that the water resources in an area may be threatened by existing or proposed withdrawals or diversions of water, the commission shall designate the area for the purpose of establishing administrative control over the withdrawals and diversions of ground and surface waters in the area to ensure reasonable-beneficial use of the water resources in the public interest.” The law also mandates if the area reaches 90 percent capacity, it must be designated. The Keauhou aquifer system area is currently at 32 percent capacity.
Several scientific studies have been conducted and ongoing research and monitoring have been shared. “A Summary of Scientific Research on the Northern Section of the Keauhou Aquifer System,” prepared by Steve Bowles, groundwater geologist; Tom Nance, PE, hydrologist/water resource engineer; Richard Brock, Ph.D., aquatic resource specialist and Steve Dollar, Ph.D., coastal zone and coral reef specialist share findings and conclusion summaries on hydrogeologic data, impacts to basal groundwater and changes in water quality. The summary offers the following conclusion: “The findings of these studies come to a consistent conclusion: no evidence collected to date indicates that withdrawals of groundwater resources from the high-level and basal aquifers in the northern section of the Keauhou Aquifer System have negatively impacted basal groundwater, the ponds, and the near shore marine waters.”
Both sides agree there is little difference in the scientific evidence. What divides the two groups is what to do with the numbers. Supporters of the NPS petition feel it is time to act now to protect the area for the future. Those in opposition feel there is no real need, nor sufficient evidence to support such drastic measures at this time.
The petition will be open for public comments before the commission will make its decision, possibly in December. The Chamber encourages members of the community to voice their opinions at any upcoming meetings as well as contact the governor’s office, the governor’s West Hawaii liaison, Barbara Dalton and Chairman William Aila of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to get your comments on record.
The KKCC board of directors has reviewed all the information available, attended meetings on the subject and had presentations from several organizations. The result is the following position statement regarding our opposition to the petition:
“The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce represents over 550 business members and is the leading business advocacy organization on the west side of Hawaii Island. KKCC also actively works to enhance the environment, unique lifestyle and quality of life in West Hawaii for both residents and visitors alike.
“The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce champions responsible stewardship of Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources. While we appreciate the mission of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park to ‘preserve, interpret, and perpetuate traditional Native Hawaiian activities, values and culture and to demonstrate historic land use patterns’ we do not support its request to designate the Keauhou Aquifer of North Kona as a Water Management Area for groundwater. KKCC supports existing management and continuing oversight by the County of Hawaii of these water resources. We do not support relinquishing county control of water resource management over to a state commission or agency.”
I urge the West Hawaii community to take note of this important issue. Ask questions, examine documents and confirm facts presented. I believe you will come to the same conclusion — designation is not warranted at this time.
Vivian Landrum is the president/CEO of Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.
Viewpoint articles are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of West Hawaii Today.