Summary
Testifiers pointed out the county doesn't track what private wells pump, even as a drought stretches on — one noted the water director has budgeted for a machine that can see 1,500 feet into the ground to gauge the aquifer. Several asked the committee to require private well owners to report pumping statistics and to defer Bill 1 until that survey is done.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Apr 16, 2026.
Impact analysis
The water director has budgeted to rent a deep-aquifer sensing machine this year; no dollar figure was stated.
Everyone who depends on Maui's aquifers for drinking water, especially future generations.
Unmonitored heavy pumping — by well-financed developers with deep wells and powerful pumps — could out-compete existing users and push aquifers toward irreversible salinity.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 16, 2026
Haiku residents urged the county to upgrade the budgeted Haiku test well to a deep monitoring well to protect the aquifer under the 2003 consent decree, and backed restoring a $40,000 line item for Haiku stream water-quality testing, which Council Member Uʻu-Hodgins is making a priority.
Water and Infrastructure Committee (2025-2027) — January 26, 2026
Testifiers pointed out the county doesn't track what private wells pump, even as a drought stretches on — one noted the water director has budgeted for a machine that can see 1,500 feet into the ground to gauge the aquifer. Several asked the committee to require private well owners to report pumping statistics and to defer Bill 1 until that survey is done.
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