Bill > HB1495

This bill establishes a multi-year monitoring pilot project for the Keauhou aquifer system on Hawaii, focusing on comprehensive groundwater management and research. The Commission on Water Resource Management will conduct several key activities, including installing monitoring wells, collecting data on groundwater levels, performing water salinity tests, monitoring the environmental impacts of groundwater pumping, and assessing potential effects on coastal ecosystems and traditional practices. The project includes public information meetings, community outreach, and integration of research to develop a responsible groundwater management plan. The department of land and natural resources is required to submit six-month reports to the legislature detailing groundwater levels and salinity analysis, and will have the discretion to continue, expand, or terminate the pilot project based on its assessment. The bill appropriates funds from general state revenues for both the monitoring project and the installation of two monitoring wells during fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, with the goal of better understanding and managing this critical water resource.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1495&year=2026