SR 137: requesting the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to develop and implement a Water Access Pilot Project demonstrating the kohala region's capacity for a potable water system.

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to develop and implement a Water Access Pilot Project demonstrating the kohala region's capacity for a potable water system.

     WHEREAS, the Kohala mountains on Hawaii island represent an ideal location for a water pump storage hydroelectric facility due to the unique geography of the region; and

     WHEREAS, the elevation of the Kohala mountains facilitates the downhill flow of water through a series of reservoirs to generate electricity; and

     WHEREAS, wind turbines are a complementary source of renewable energy that augment the generation of electricity; and

     WHEREAS, in the evenings when the demand for electricity is lower, the energy generated by the wind turbines would be used to pump the water stored in reservoirs at lower elevations to reservoirs at higher elevations, preparing it for the next day's energy needs; and

     WHEREAS, the State is in need of a comprehensive water plan for both potable and irrigation water, a comprehensive agricultural plan that includes local production and processing, and a comprehensive renewable energy plan that complements agriculture; and

     WHEREAS, a water pump storage hydroelectric facility is a critical component of these comprehensive plans as it would provide a source of potable water, water for irrigation, and reduce energy costs; and

     WHEREAS, the ideal parcel of land located in the Kohala mountains for the construction of the facility is owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; and

     WHEREAS, construction of a water pump storage hydroelectric facility would increase the potential availability of potable water and attract more native Hawaiian beneficiaries of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to the area; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is requested to develop and implement a Water Access Pilot Project demonstrating the Kohala region's ability to access water and develop a potable water system; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Report Title: 

DHHL; Water Pump Storage Hydroelectric Facility; Pilot Project

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1568

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 137

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 137 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A WATER ACCESS PILOT PROJECT DEMONSTRATING THE KOHALA REGION'S CAPACITY FOR A POTABLE WATER SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to develop and implement a water access pilot project demonstrating the Kohala region's capacity for a potable water system.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that increased access to safe drinking water and water for agricultural use is a matter of great importance to the State, and particularly to rural island communities.  Your Committee further finds that the Kohala region on Hawaii Island, which is owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, is an ideal location for the construction of a water pump storage hydroelectric facility, which would provide a source of potable water, water for irrigation, and reduce energy costs in the region.  Accordingly, this measure requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to implement a water access pilot project to demonstrate that the Kohala mountains are an appropriate site for a new potable water system to serve the people of the area. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 137 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,