Aloha,

I am writing to request a change in the ridiculously regressive structure of charging multi family condo and apartment complex water usage as general use. This rate structure seems intentionally designed to inflict the most harm upon the most vulnerable of constituents. How can you possibly support the notion that, simply because a family is so wealthy they can afford a standalone home, they deserve to also have a much more affordable water bill? How does it make sense that my family only gets about 75 gallons at tier 1 pricing, as opposed to 5000, simply due to sharing a meter with other people? This is simply overcharging your constituents least able to afford the increased rates based solely upon the point of measurement which is beyond their control.

This response on 11/10/22 from the Fiscal Officer is an outright assault on common sense and critical thought.
"We understand that the multi-family customers on master meters generally use water more like commercial customers. That is, usage is a relatively steady rate throughout the day, unlike single-family customers who tend to have two peaking periods in the morning and the evening. This is due to a combination of multiple families with different schedules living in the same complex, along with common area usage and in some cases, irrigation use."
It's literally spelled out right there that you have to view the dataset in a specifically skewed way in order to justify the decision. I would love to see an honest look at this data if you're able to provide it. It seems a fair assumption due to the language used it would be quite as easy for me to show that multi family complexes peak with similar trending as single family dwellings "tend to" if you also allow me to ignore all of the dataset that doesn't fit my narrative as you have done in accepting this statement. It would also be easy show that single family homes use water throughout the day by not ignoring all of data from single family homes who don't "tend to" follow peak trends. I highly encourage all of you to take a drive through the parking lots of apartment and condo complexes at 6am, 2pm, and 10pm on a weekday. I am sure seeing the massive difference in the amount of vehicles in the parking lot in the middle of the day will help you understand that multi family complexes "tend to" be mostly empty during the day while the vast majority of us are all at work and not home using water.

Again, this is just a penalty based upon the point of measurement, not any kind of rational view of how water is used. Unfortunately this issue continues to be decided in a way that is completely unequitable and harms Maui's lowest earners. Hopefully this a lapse in critical thought, as that's about as charitable of an assumption as I can make about it, but sadly the stiff resistance to change makes it seem like an intentional cruelty against those least able to do anything about it. I would respectfully request you review the pricing structure in a way that is fair and equitable to all of this island's residents.

Kind regards,
Jon DuPont
480 Kenolio Rd 22-102
Kihei, Hi 96753