Maui County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maui County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Temporary wastewater service for new Central Maui school
The new Central Maui school in Waikapu is set to open in 2031, possibly before the county's new wastewater plant is running. This agreement reserves 14,500 gallons per day of temporary capacity at the existing Wailuku-Kahului facility as a plan B.
County acquisition of flood-prone Waipuilani parcels
South Maui has flooded every year since 2021; testifiers described dead soil, choked wetlands, and debris-filled waters, urging the plan to require stormwater systems, gulch protection, and wetland restoration before new development.
Recycled water expansion and possible desalination
A fire survivor credited pencil cactus with saving his property and urged county-wide planting as living firebreaks; another asked the county to fund reclaimed water delivery to Bishop Estate lands so dry fields stop becoming fire hazards.
Water supply and the Kamaole Aquifer
Testifiers said the aquifer is at or near its sustainable yield, developers plan energy-hungry desalination, and the plan adds thousands of units without guaranteed water — calling it high-risk for the aquifer, reefs, and ratepayers.
Upcountry water meter list and supply
The parcel has two 5/8-inch water meters, and Water Department staff said no additional meters can be added right now because the meter list closed in 2013 — which complicates plans for agriculture on the remaining 20 acres.
Waihuli Wells water agreement with DHHL
Three new Upcountry wells could supply water for over 1,000 homestead lots and, eventually, roughly 2,880 homes for Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries, whose Maui waitlist tops 9,000 people. The County gets a larger, more resilient water system; DHHL gets faster housing. Some members worried the County gets no share of the new water for general public needs.
West Maui water and housing restrictions
The County is negotiating to buy MLP's water infrastructure, which would shift public stewardship of West Maui drinking water from about 45% to 93%. Supporters see it as reclaiming a public trust resource; critics worry about the price, bundled land entitlements, and liabilities from existing water agreements.
County acquisition of Launiupoko and Olowalu water systems
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.
Kīhei gulch sediment removal and South Kīhei Road sinkhole
About 300,000 cubic yards of storm sediment clog the Kīhei gulches and feed the flooding problem; a $20 million-plus USDA watershed grant is pending. The famous South Kīhei Road sinkhole turned out to start with a watermain break, and repairs with engineered resilience measures are underway.
Water and wastewater capacity
The project sits outside the county sewer service area, and the county water system is at 98-100% of reliable capacity. The developer plans a private water system it would dedicate to the county and a private wastewater treatment plant, but wants to connect phase one to the county's Kahului facility.
Water System Development Fee Overhaul
The Water Department wants a rate increase that falls almost entirely on high-volume users, says it can finally start chipping away at the upcountry meter waitlist (100 meters in FY27), and is weighing acquisition of the Maui Land & Pine water system. Main breaks jumped from 77 in 2024 to 261 in 2025 as pipes age.
West Maui groundwater mapping
The committee put $1.8 million into airborne electromagnetic 'MRI for aquifers' mapping of West Maui groundwater to guide well siting and future housing — funded from water department carryover savings after a legal fight over the GET fund.
Central Maui Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility funding
A $3.5 million state grant for the Central Maui Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility lapsed in 2024 because staff retirements broke the chain of communication. The county is now covering the gap with GET funds and hoping a new $10.5 million state request replenishes it. The plant supports Central Maui housing and development, with operations targeted for late 2029.
One Water Lahaina integrated water planning
Recovery officials unveiled a 'One Water Lahaina' approach that treats water holistically — from mauka to makai — across all county departments. Members praised it, but Councilmember Rawlins-Fernandez raised concerns it resembles traditional Ahupua'a management without crediting Native Hawaiian practices.
Watershed protection grant funding and conservation workforce
Water Supply funds ten watershed partners protecting forests that recharge aquifers, with FY27 requests rising to about $3.9M. Grantees face chronic turnover and low wages — one daughter's conservation internship pays so little she could qualify for SNAP.
R-1 recycled water production and distribution
The department outlined R-1 water projects at Kahului, Molokai, and Lanai plants and expansion plans in West and South Maui, but demand is stacking up — Kaanapali resorts, golf courses, and a private investor all want allocations of a limited supply. Council may face a water allocation policy fight in the near future.
Amending the water availability policy on subdivision construction plans (Bill 1)
Bill 1 would let the county review subdivision construction plans while a developer is still proving it has long-term water — potentially shaving months off a permitting process that can run three and a half years. Opponents worry about drought, aquifer health, county staff doing wasted work, and weakening the 'show me the water' law; supporters, including industry reps, say it just speeds up paperwork without changing the water requirement.
Lahaina Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
Bills 177 and 178 authorize a $22.4 million state revolving fund loan — fully forgiven — for return activated sludge and dewatering upgrades at the aging Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
West Maui Water Conservation and Pool Restrictions
The Council gave final approval to a temporary ban on new private pools in West Maui, where the water system is running over 40% past reliable capacity during a stage-two shortage. A pool builder argued pools use less water than lawns; a community advocate said every pool equals water for homes.
Lahaina wastewater facility upgrades
The Council finalized $22.4M for Lahaina wastewater plant upgrades plus other recovery spending — the Komohana Hale rebuild, $5M more for Lahaina Community Land Trust, and the Lahaina Royal Complex restoration grant.