SB 1541: Waiahole Water System; Bond Debt Service; Tunnel Repair; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-03-13
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Appropriates funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Appropriates funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1541 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Waiahole water system transports water from the Koolau mountain range on the windward side of Oahu to Kunia on the leeward side of the island. Construction began in 1912, and the finished system began delivering water by May 27, 1916. The total system length is 26.4 miles, consisting of fifteen miles of tunnels, ten miles of open ditches, and 1.4 miles of siphons. The system travels from Kahana to Kunia entirely by gravity flow. The Waiahole water system includes development tunnels, built to collect water from the Koolau mountains, that are connected to the main transmission tunnel. Seven siphons carry the water across gulches on the leeward side of the system. The Waiahole water system also includes two reservoirs. The first, reservoir 225, is on the east side of Kunia highway and holds 9,500,000 gallons. The second, reservoir 155--renamed the Nakatani reservoir--is at the end of the system and holds 14,010,000 gallons. Throughout the system, gauging stations are installed and designed to measure water collected in the Koolau mountains. One of the gauging stations is called adit 8 and is in critical need of repair.
Until the demise of the sugar industry on Oahu during the mid-1990s, the system was continuously owned and operated by Waiahole Irrigation Company, Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oahu Sugar Company, Limited. Pursuant to Act 111, Session Laws of Hawaii 1998 (Act 111), the agribusiness development corporation purchased the assets of the Waiahole Irrigation Company, Limited, from Amfac/JMB Hawaii, Limited, for $8,500,000 in July 1999. Furthermore, pursuant to Act 111, the legislature appropriated $1,200,000 in reimbursable general obligation bonds to replace the system's three deteriorated redwood siphons. Today, the ditch is known as the Waiahole water system and is actively managed and operated by the agribusiness development corporation.
The Waiahole water system serves approximately 5,600 acres of land in central and leeward Oahu, of which approximately eighty-six per cent is in active agricultural use at any given time. In addition to state-owned lands, Waiahole water system users occupy land owned by Kamehameha Schools; Castle & Cooke Land Company, Ltd.; M.A. Robinson Trusts; and the James Campbell Company. Currently, agricultural users include Aloun Farms, the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Larry Jefts Farm, Mililani Nursery, Mililani Agricultural Park, Sugarland Farms, Waiawa Nursery, Waikele Farms, and livestock ranchers. Non-agricultural users include Mililani Memorial Park. Other users include Waiawa correctional facility, and its uses are approximately twenty-five per cent agricultural and seventy-five per cent non-agricultural.
In 2000, the Waiahole water system contributed $95,000,000 to and created roughly two thousand jobs for the state economy. This figure accounted for fifty-one per cent of total crops, livestock, and aquaculture sales for the city and county of Honolulu. It was concluded that directly and indirectly, for every $1 increase in final demand for Hawaii's agriculture products from the Waiahole water system, the output in Hawaii's overall economy increased by $1.94. According to the department of agriculture's report in October 2012 titled "Assessment of Irrigation Systems in Hawaii", the Waiahole water system contributed $135,000,000 and two thousand jobs to the state economy in 2012.
Waiahole water system users have gradually increased the efficiency with which they use water, so water usage has decreased over time. Moreover, users were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current agricultural water rate is 99.850 cents per 1,000 gallons. Comparable area rates for agricultural water include the board of water supply's and department of agriculture's average agricultural rate of 50 cents per 1,000 gallons. As of October 2024, the farmers using the Waiahole water system had paid $9,754,417.90 toward the $8,500,000 bond, totaling thirteen per cent more than the original bond amount. These costs are passed on to consumers, resulting in higher food prices. Currently, forty per cent of all revenue is used to service the principal and interest debt. The balance to pay off the debt is $4,500,000 and would result in farmers and consumers paying $14,000,000 in debt service fees.
The legislature further finds that repairs to the adit 8 tunnel have been delayed as long as possible and have reached a critical point in needing $2,000,000 in design and construction of deferred maintenance repairs. All water from the Waiahole water system must pass through the adit 8 tunnel.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the agribusiness development corporation to fully pay off the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system and repair the adit 8 tunnel.
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 to pay the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation 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 for the repair of the adit 8 tunnel of the Waiahole water system.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Waiahole Water System; Bond Debt Service; Tunnel Repair; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair. 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.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1541 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Waiahole water system transports water from the Koolau mountain range on the windward side of Oahu to Kunia, on the leeward side of the island. Construction began in 1912, and the finished system began delivering water by May 27, 1916. The total system length is 26.4 miles, consisting of fifteen miles of tunnels, ten miles of open ditches, and 1.4 miles of siphons. The system travels from Kahana to Kunia entirely by gravity flow. The Waiahole water system includes development tunnels, built to collect water from the Koolau mountains, that are connected to the main transmission tunnel. Seven siphons carry the water across gulches on the leeward side of the system. The Waiahole water system also includes two reservoirs. The first, reservoir 225, is on the east side of Kunia highway and holds 9,500,000 gallons. The second, reservoir 155 -- renamed the Nakatani reservoir, is at the end of the system and holds 14,010,000 gallons. Throughout the system, gauging stations are installed and designed to measure water collected in the Koolau mountains. One of the gauging stations is called adit 8 and is in critical need of repair.
Until the demise of the sugar industry on Oahu during the mid-1990s, the system was continuously owned and operated by Waiahole Irrigation Company, Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oahu Sugar Company, Limited. Pursuant to Act 111, Session Laws of Hawaii 1998 (Act 111), the agribusiness development corporation purchased the assets of the Waiahole Irrigation Company, Limited, from Amfac/JMB Hawaii Limited for $8,500,000 in July 1999. Furthermore, pursuant to Act 111, the legislature appropriated $1,200,000 in reimbursable general obligation bonds to replace the system's three deteriorated redwood siphons. Today, the ditch is known as the Waiahole water system and is actively managed and operated by the agribusiness development corporation.
The Waiahole water system serves approximately 5,600 acres of land in central and leeward Oahu, of which approximately eighty-six per cent is in active agricultural use at any given time. In addition to state-owned lands, Waiahole water system users occupy land owned by Kamehameha Schools; Castle & Cooke Land Company, Ltd.; M.A. Robinson Trusts; and the James Campbell Company. Currently, agricultural users include Aloun Farms, the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Larry Jefts Farm, Mililani Nursery, Mililani Agricultural Park, Sugarland Farms, Waiawa Nursery, Waikele Farms, and livestock ranchers. Non-agricultural users include Mililani Memorial Park. Other users include Waiawa correctional facility, and its uses are approximately twenty-five per cent agricultural and seventy-five per cent non-agricultural.
In 2000, the Waiahole water system contributed $95,000,000 to and created roughly two thousand jobs for the state economy. This figure accounted for fifty-one per cent of total crops, livestock, and aquaculture sales for the city and county of Honolulu. It was concluded that directly and indirectly, for every $1 increase in final demand for Hawaii's agriculture products from the Waiahole water system, the output in Hawaii's overall economy increased by $1.94. According to the department of agriculture's report in October 2012 titled "Assessment of Irrigation Systems in Hawaii", the Waiahole water system contributed $135,000,000 and two thousand jobs to the state economy in 2012.
Waiahole water system users have gradually increased the efficiency with which they use water, so water usage has decreased over time. Moreover, users were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current agricultural water rate is 99.850 cents per 1,000 gallons. Comparable area rates for agricultural water include the board of water supply's and department of agriculture's average agricultural rate of 50 cents per 1,000 gallons. As of October 2024, the farmers using the Waiahole water system had paid $9,754,417.90 toward the $8,500,000 bond, totaling thirteen per cent more than the original bond amount. These costs are passed on to consumers, resulting in higher food prices. Currently, forty per cent of all revenue is used to service the principal and interest debt. The balance to pay off the debt is $4,500,000 and would result in farmers and consumers paying $14,000,000 in debt service fees.
The legislature further finds that repairs to the adit 8 tunnel have been delayed as long as possible and have reached a critical point in needing $2,000,000 in design and construction of deferred maintenance repairs. All water from the Waiahole water system must pass through the adit 8 tunnel.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the agribusiness development corporation to fully pay off the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system and repair the adit 8 tunnel.
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 to pay the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation 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 for the repair of the adit 8 tunnel of the Waiahole water system.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Waiahole Water System; Bond Debt Service; Tunnel Repair; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1541 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the Waiahole Water System.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Waiahole water system transports water from the Koolau mountain range on the windward side of Oahu to Kunia, on the leeward side of the island. Construction began in February 1916, and the finished system began delivering water by May 27, 1916. The total system length is 26.4 miles, consisting of fifteen miles of tunnels, ten miles of open ditches, and 1.4 miles of siphons. The system travels from Kahana to Kunia entirely by gravity flow. The Waiahole water system includes development tunnels, built to collect water from the Koolau mountains, that are connected to the main transmission tunnel. Seven siphons carry the water across gulches on the leeward side of the system. The Waiahole water system also includes two reservoirs. The first, reservoir 225, is on the east side of Kunia highway and holds 9,500,000 gallons. The second, reservoir 155 -- renamed the Nakatani reservoir, is at the end of the system and holds 14,010,000 gallons. Throughout the system, gauging stations are installed and designed to measure water collected in the Koolau mountains. One of the gauging stations is called adit 8 and is in critical need of repair.
Until the demise of the sugar industry on Oahu during the mid-1990s, the system was continuously owned and operated by Waiahole Irrigation Company, Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oahu Sugar Company, Limited. Pursuant to Act 111, Session Laws of Hawaii 1998 (Act 111), the agribusiness development corporation purchased the assets of the Waiahole Irrigation Company, Limited, from Amfac/JMB Hawaii Limited for $8,500,000 in July 1999. Furthermore, pursuant to Act 111, the legislature appropriated $1,200,000 in reimbursable general obligation bonds to replace the system's three deteriorated redwood siphons. Today, the ditch is known as the Waiahole water system and is actively managed and operated by the agribusiness development corporation.
The Waiahole water system serves approximately 5,600 acres of land in central and leeward Oahu, of which approximately eighty-six per cent is in active agricultural use at any given time. In addition to state-owned lands, Waiahole water system users occupy land owned by Kamehameha Schools; Castle & Cooke Land Company, Ltd.; M.A. Robinson Trusts; and the James Campbell Company. Currently, agricultural users include Aloun Farms, the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Larry Jefts Farm, Mililani Nursery, Mililani Agricultural Park, Sugarland Farms, Waiawa Nursery, Waikele Farms, and livestock ranchers. Non-agricultural users include Mililani Memorial Park. Other users include Waiawa correctional facility, and its uses are approximately twenty-five per cent agricultural and seventy-five per cent non-agricultural.
In 2000, the Waiahole water system contributed $95,000,000 to and created roughly two thousand jobs for the state economy. This figure accounted for fifty-one per cent of total crops, livestock, and aquaculture sales for the city and county of Honolulu. It was concluded that directly and indirectly, for every $1 increase in final demand for Hawaii's agriculture products from the Waiahole water system, the output in Hawaii's overall economy increased by $1.94. According to the department of agriculture's report in October 2012 titled "Assessment of Irrigation Systems in Hawaii", the Waiahole water system contributed $135,000,000 and two thousand jobs to the state economy in 2012.
Waiahole water system users have gradually increased the efficiency with which they use water, so water usage has decreased over time. Moreover, users were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current agricultural water rate is 99.850 cents per 1,000 gallons. Comparable area rates for agricultural water include the board of water supply's and department of agriculture's average agricultural rate of 50 cents per 1,000 gallons. As of October 2024, the farmers using the Waiahole water system had paid $9,754,417.90 toward the $8,500,000 bond, totaling thirteen per cent more than the original bond amount. These costs are passed on to consumers, resulting in higher food prices. Currently, forty per cent of all revenue is used to service the principal and interest debt. The balance to pay off the debt is $4,500,000 and would result in farmers and consumers paying $14,000,000 in debt service fees.
The legislature further finds that repairs to the adit 8 tunnel have been delayed as long as possible and have reached a critical point in needing $2,000,000 in design and construction of deferred maintenance repairs. All water from the Waiahole water system must pass through the adit 8 tunnel.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the agribusiness development corporation to fully pay off the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system and repair the adit 8 tunnel.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 to pay the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the repair of the adit 8 tunnel of the Waiahole water system.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
Report Title:
Waiahole Water System; Bond Debt Service; Tunnel Repair; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Mar 21, 2025 | Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Shimizu voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5). |
| Mar 21, 2025 | Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1485), recommending referral to FIN. |
| Mar 20, 2025 | The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Lamosao, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Morikawa, Poepoe, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Woodson. |
| Mar 17, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Thursday, 03-20-25 9:30AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 14, 2025 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Holt, Iwamoto, Ward excused (4). |
| Mar 14, 2025 | Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1226) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to WAL. |
| Mar 12, 2025 | The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Kusch, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward. |
| Mar 7, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 03-12-25 9:00AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Referred to AGR, WAL, FIN, referral sheet 19 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 366) in amended form (SD 1). |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | One Day Notice 03-04-25. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 949) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading. |
| Feb 27, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 21, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-27-25 10:30AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 12, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 12, 2025 | Reported from EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 397) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 6, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga, Kim, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 3, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-25 1:15PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 27, 2025 | Referred to EDT, WAM. |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 22, 2025 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 20, 2025 | The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Water & Land |
Passed |
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| Mar 12, 2025 | The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems |
Passed |
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| Mar 4, 2025 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 27, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means |
Passed |
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| Feb 6, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| Agribusiness Development Corporation | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Agribusiness Development Corporation | ** Support | |
| and Mililani Agricultural Park, LLC | ** Support | |
| Bayer U.S. LLC | ** Support | |
| Bayer U.S. LLC | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Hawaii Agriculture Research Center | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Agriculture Research Center | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Agriculture Research Center | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC) | *** Support | Feb 6, 2025 |
| Hawaii Crop Improvement Association | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Hawaii Crop Improvement Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Farm Bureau | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United | ** Support | |
| Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation | ** Support | |
| Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Larry Jefts Farms, LLC | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Larry Jefts Farms, LLC | ** Support | |
| MILILANI AGRICULTURAL PARK, LLC | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Ulupono Initiative | ** Support | |
| Ulupono Initiative | *** Support | Mar 19, 2025 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1485
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 1541
S.D. 1
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 S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Bayer U.S. LLC; Ulupono Initiative; Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; and Mililani Agricultural Park, LLC.
Your Committee finds that the Waiahole Water System is essential for transporting water from the Koolau Mountains to central and leeward Oahu, supporting thousands of acres of agricultural land. However, aging infrastructure and high water rates place a significant financial burden on farmers, increasing production costs and food prices. This measure appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to retire bond debt and address infrastructure repairs, ensuring long-term water access and affordability for Hawaii's agricultural sector.
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 S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, 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,
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____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1226
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 1541
S.D. 1
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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Bayer; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; and one individual.
Your Committee finds that the Waiahole Water System plays a vital role in transporting water from windward Oahu to central and leeward Oahu, supplying approximately five thousand six hundred acres of land, the majority of which is dedicated to agriculture. However, farmers relying on this water system face significantly higher water rates compared to similar agricultural areas, driving up production costs and, ultimately, food prices for consumers. This measure provides funding to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to eliminate bond debt and address essential infrastructure repairs, securing long-term water access for local agriculture.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) 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 an appropriation amount of $4,500,000 to pay the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system and $2,000,000 for the repair of the adit 8 tunnel of the Waiahole water system.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 949
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 1541
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to pay off the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system and repair the adit 8 tunnel of the Waiahole water system.
Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Bayer, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation, Larry Jefts Farms, LLC, and Ulupono Initiative.
Your Committee finds that the Waiahole water system serves land in central and leeward Oahu, much of which is in agricultural use, provides employment, and contributes to the state economy. Your Committee notes that although Waiahole water system users have decreased their water usage through adoption of efficiency measures, the cost of water remains high to offset debt service payments. This increased cost is passed along to consumers through higher food prices. Your Committee further finds that deferred maintenance threatens the functioning of the Waiahole water system; particularly urgent are repairs to the adit 8 tunnel through which all water in the system passes.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 397
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 1541
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 1541 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Ulupono Initiative; Bayer in Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; and two individuals.
Your Committee finds that the Waiahole Water System plays an essential role in supporting agriculture on Oahu. The System provides water through irrigation to multiple businesses on the Central and Leeward regions of the island, where water can be scarce and costly. However, the Agribusiness Development Corporation currently owes funds towards a bond debt service on the System and the System needs maintenance repairs. This measure resolves both issues by appropriating funds for these purposes, providing for the continued operation and maintenance of this vital infrastructure.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the appropriations to unspecified amounts;
(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
Your Committee notes that this measure, as amended, contains unspecified appropriation amounts. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of:
(1) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 to pay the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system; and
(2) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the repair of the adit 8 tunnel of the Waiahole Water System.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1541, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism,
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________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 19, 2025 | SB1541_HD1_TESTIMONY_WAL_03-20-25_.PDF |
| Mar 11, 2025 | SB1541_SD1_TESTIMONY_AGR_03-12-25_.PDF |
| Feb 26, 2025 | SB1541_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-27-25_.PDF |
| Feb 6, 2025 | SB1541_TESTIMONY_EDT_02-06-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
2MIN
House Standing Committee on Water & Land
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems
6MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Technology
6MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
Bill Author
