The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council on Jan. 7, 2026.
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Jan. 7, 2026, 9 a.m.
Kalana O Maui Building
To: Maui County Council
Alice Lee, Chair
Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Joe Kent, Executive Vice President
RE: Bill 1 (2026) — AMENDING THE WATER AVAILABILITY POLICY ON SUBDIVISION CONSTRUCTION PLANS
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 1 (2026), which would allow homebuilders to submit applications for subdivisions prior to receiving certification from the Department of Water Supply that the proposed subdivision will have access to potable water.
Under the proposal, the department would have to approve the plan if it met all other requirements.
Grassroot supports this bill because it would allow homebuilders to proceed in the planning and application process while figuring out where they will obtain water for their projects.
The bill makes it clear that approval of a subdivision by the department does not guarantee the subdivider access to potable water for their project; however, that risk can be managed by the applicant.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Joe Kent
Executive Vice President
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
