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.
Deteriorating rain catchment infrastructure on Kahoʻolawe
Two rusted water storage tanks at a rain catchment area can only hold a fraction of the roughly 3.5 million gallons that half-acre collection panels could gather, limiting restoration irrigation. A consultant is needed to assess repairs.
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.
Recycled water and wastewater injection wells
New policies would require developments to connect to recycled (R-1) water systems where available, and move toward — not fully eliminate — wastewater injection wells, since state rules require backup capacity. Councilmember Cook noted many hotels already have dual meters ready for recycled water.
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.
Expanding fare-free Maui Bus ridership (Bill 95)
Bill 95 makes bus rides free for more people — all students, County employees, and households up to 300% of the poverty level — and lets the county run fare-free days to boost ridership. It's part of the county's climate plan to get cars off the road, at a cost of roughly $40,000 a year in forgone fares.
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.