County acquisition of Launiupoko and Olowalu water systems
Maui County
Summary
The county wants to buy two private West Maui water companies for up to $6 million, bringing roughly 480 customer connections under public control. Only about 23% of West Maui water systems are currently publicly owned, and consolidating systems was a recommendation of the post-wildfire recovery plan. Questions remain about easements, rates, well conditions, and state permitting.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 5, 2026.
Impact analysis
Up to $6 million for the purchase, plus roughly $1.55 million in post-closing transition and improvement costs, offset by projected annual revenues of about $3.3 million against $1.55 million in operating costs.
West Maui residents — especially Launiupoko and Olowalu customers — gain publicly accountable water service, and Lahaina's recovery gains water system redundancy and fire-suppression capacity.
Current customers whose usage falls into the county's higher upper-tier rates could see bills rise; some Launiupoko landowners already pay county rates that exceed their current private rates.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — August 5, 2026
The County wants to buy the Launiupoko Irrigation Company's nonpotable water system — wells, reservoirs and about 19¾ miles of pipeline serving 416 customers — for $1.5 million, plus $2.9 million in requested improvements. Officials frame it as supporting housing and public stewardship of water; details were discussed behind closed doors.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — August 4, 2026
The County wants to buy the two West Maui water systems for up to $6 million, moving water into public hands. Supporters say this answers long-standing community demands after the Lahaina fire; skeptics worry about operating costs and want the Board of Water Supply's input first.
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — July 29, 2026
The county wants to buy MLP's West Maui and Upcountry water infrastructure — ditches, wells, reservoirs and more — to move water from private to public hands. That would lift public ownership of West Maui drinking water from about 45% to 93%. The devil is in the details: what the county pays, what credits the developer gets back, and whether the deal gets tangled in housing entitlements.
Water and Infrastructure Committee (2025-2027) — July 27, 2026
The county wants to buy two private West Maui water companies for up to $6 million, bringing roughly 480 customer connections under public control. Only about 23% of West Maui water systems are currently publicly owned, and consolidating systems was a recommendation of the post-wildfire recovery plan. Questions remain about easements, rates, well conditions, and state permitting.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — January 27, 2026
Bill 9 keeps $10 million alive for buying private water systems and pre-authorizes 10 unfunded positions. Members questioned whether acquisitions should be vetted through the planning committee and aligned with the countywide policy plan before money is spent.
Related development
Acquisition of Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc.'s water infrastructure assets in West Maui and Upcountry (MOU dated May 18, 2026)
If completed, public ownership of West Maui drinking water jumps from about 45% to 93%, supporting reliability, fire protection and housing. Final terms, appraisals and council approval are still to come.
Maui Land & Pineapple water infrastructure acquisition (MLP MOU)
If completed, the deal would take West Maui's drinking water systems from 45% to 93% public ownership — but members and residents want the water purchase separated from the land entitlement requests.
Resolution 26-116 — Acquisition of Launiupoko and Olowalu water system assets
Public control of two West Maui water systems, with roughly 200,000 gallons per day of additional supply potential in each area and post-closing improvements like fencing the Snake Reservoir and system hardening for fire resilience.
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