HB 1495: RELATING TO THE KEAUHOU AQUIFER SYSTEM.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE KEAUHOU AQUIFER SYSTEM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of land and natural resources shall establish a     -year Keauhou aquifer system monitoring pilot project.

     (b)  The commission on water resource management, in partnership with other agencies, shall:

     (1)  Collect data from monitoring wells installed in the Keauhou aquifer system;

     (2)  Monitor groundwater levels in the Keauhou aquifer system;

     (3)  Conduct water salinity tests in the Keauhou aquifer system;

     (4)  Monitor the impacts of groundwater pumping on the health of coastal ecosystems and traditional and customary practices within the Keauhou aquifer system;

     (5)  Initiate public information meetings to report on the data collected;

     (6)  Conduct community outreach to guide the management of groundwater resources in the Keauhou aquifer system;

     (7)  Integrate existing and new studies and research into a plan for the responsible management of groundwater resources in the Keauhou aquifer system; and

     (8)  Conduct other related activities as the department of land and natural resources deems necessary to carry out the purpose of the pilot project.

     (c)  The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report to the legislature every six months detailing, at minimum, groundwater levels and water salinity analysis in the Keauhou aquifer system.

     (d)  The department of land and natural resources shall determine whether to continue, expand, or end the Keauhou aquifer system monitoring pilot project based on its assessment of the pilot project.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Keauhou aquifer system monitoring pilot project.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the installation of two monitoring wells in the Keauhou aquifer system.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000, and shall be repealed on June 30,     .

Report Title:

DLNR; Commission on Water Resource Management; Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project; Keauhou Aquifer System; Reports; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project within the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  Appropriates funds for the installation of two monitoring wells in the Keauhou Aquifer System.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the KEAUHOU aquifer system.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established a      -year Keauhou aquifer system monitoring pilot program within the department of land and natural resources.

     (b)  The commission on water resource management shall:

     (1)  Manage the monitoring wells installed in the Keauhou aquifer system;

     (2)  Monitor groundwater levels in the Keauhou aquifer system; and

     (3)  Conduct water quality tests in the Keauhou aquifer system.

     (c)  The department of land and natural resources shall submit an interim report to the legislature every six months, detailing groundwater levels and water quality analysis in the Keauhou aquifer system.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $163,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the installation of two monitoring wells in the Keauhou aquifer.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DLNR; Commission on Water Resource Management; Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Program; Keauhou Aquifer System; Reports; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to install two monitoring wells in the Keauhou Aquifer System.  Establishes the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Program.  Requires reports to the Legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  591

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1495

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1495, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KEAUHOU AQUIFER SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish and appropriate funds for the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project within the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the installation of two monitoring wells in the Keauhou Aquifer System.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority; Department of Water Supply of the County of Hawaiʻi; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Keauhou Aquifer System is a critical water source that supports local communities, ecosystems, and cultural traditions.  However, the system faces significant challenges from rising water demand and potential overuse.  Recognizing the importance of safeguarding these vital water resources, your Committee believes this measure will address these concerns by establishing a Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project and allocating funds for the installation of two monitoring wells.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider the estimated cost of at least $3,000,000 per monitoring well.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1495, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  229

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1495

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1495 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KEAUHOU AQUIFER SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Program and appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to install two monitoring wells in the Keauhou Aquifer System.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the Keauhou Aquifer System is a vital water source that sustains local communities, ecosystems, and cultural practices.  Your Committee further finds that the Keauhou Aquifer System faces ongoing challenges due to water demand and overuse.  Your Committee recognizes the importance of monitoring these vital water resources and believes this measure will address this need by establishing a Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project and appropriating funds for the installation of two monitoring wells in the Keauhou Aquifer System.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Amending the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project by:

          (A)  Clarifying that the Commission on Water Resource Management may work with other agencies;

          (B)  Clarifying that the Commission will conduct water salinity tests and include water salinity analysis in reports to the Legislature;

          (C)  Adding additional responsibilities related to monitoring, public outreach, and planning; and

          (D)  Requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to determine whether to continue, expand, or end the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project based on its assessment of the Pilot Project;

     (2)  Adding an appropriation for the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider the appropriation amounts of:

     (1)  $200,000 for the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Pilot Project; and

     (2)  $163,000 for the installation of two monitoring wells in the Keauhou Aquifer System.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1495, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1495, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,