Why do you think the water department is not issuing new water meters. There is not enough water to support new development and the demand that would put on an already short supply.
I strongly oppose Bill 1. Allowing development without proof of adequate water is reckless, especially on Maui where water is already scarce and communities are still recovering. This bill prioritizes speculative development over public safety, environmental protection, and residents’ basic needs.
Approving projects without verified supply risks over-extraction, ecosystem damage, and increased competition for limited water. Maui County must protect water as a public trust.
As time goes on and resources, especially water, become more scarce it is imperative we think about the longer term needs and impacts of any development. This amendment would allow too many situations where developments go up before determining a substantial water source leaving the community, the department of water supply, and anyone else involved in a difficult position. The amendment is unnecessary.
It is your duty to continue to uphold the Show Me the Water Law. Without water, there is nothing and no development should be approved without secured, sufficient resources
I am writing to oppose Bill 1. Bill 1 fundamentally weakens Maui’s “Show Me the Water” protections by requiring approval of subdivision construction plans even when long-term water availability has not been verified. The bill’s mandatory language removes meaningful discretion and invites speculative development in areas that may not have water at all.
While the bill claims developers proceed “at their own risk,” history shows that once infrastructure is built, the public bears the consequences, through diverted water, degraded ecosystems, and emergency decision-making. The current reliance on engineering reports verifying long-term, reliable supply is a critical safeguard. Bill 1 dismantles that safeguard.
Maui cannot afford to plan development first and ask where the water will come from later. I strongly oppose any loosening of the “Show Me the Water” ordinance and ask that you defer or decline to move forward with this effort to weaken water protections.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
Aloha Councilmembers,
I am writing to oppose Bill 1.
Bill 1 fundamentally weakens Maui’s “Show Me the Water” protections by requiring approval of subdivision construction plans even when long-term water availability has not been verified. Its mandatory language removes meaningful discretion and invites speculative development in areas that may not have sufficient water at all.
I live and farm in an agricultural subdivision approved in the 1990s. Despite being zoned AG, the subdivision does not have adequate water, and our farm is already suffering the consequences.
After investing our life savings into this farm, we have been under strict watering restrictions since April 2025 — nearly a full year. These restrictions make it impossible to establish new plantings, as young crops cannot be properly watered in. We are increasingly concerned that some of our established and prized plantings may not survive under continued restrictions.
This raises serious questions that remain unanswered:
- When will Upcountry water restrictions be lifted?
- Why is the County considering approval of additional subdivisions when existing agricultural subdivisions lack adequate water?
- Why is so much water being lost through inefficiency and waste?
- Why does a foreign corporation control the system our water flows through while millions of gallons are lost daily?
- And why is the water transportation system not being properly managed, maintained, and improved?
Compounding the issue, the stream our farm runs along is currently dry, as our most streams on Maui. Water is believed to be diverted to a single company that has planted over 1 million citrus trees (heavy water consumption) and is applying pesticides, while surrounding farms using organic practices are left with severely limited access.
Before approving any new subdivisions, the County must address these existing water shortages. Approving additional development will only further strain an already inadequate and unreliable water supply.
While the bill suggests developers proceed “at their own risk,” history shows that once infrastructure is built, the public ultimately bears the consequences — through diverted water, degraded ecosystems, and emergency decision-making. The current requirement for engineering reports verifying a long-term, reliable water supply is a critical safeguard. Bill 1 dismantles that safeguard.
Maui cannot afford to approve development first and ask where the water will come from later. I strongly oppose any effort to weaken the “Show Me the Water” ordinance and respectfully urge you to defer or decline moving Bill 1 forward, and instead focus your efforts on addresses the existing water shortage issues.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
We have had droughts more often than not in recent years, with many water restrictions for Maui’s long-term residents. The “Show me the Water “ ordinance should stay as is. Otherwise local residents will pay the price. Engineering reports verifying long-term reliable water supply is a critical safeguard. Bill 1 would dismantles that safeguard.
This makes absolutely no common sense to me.
Please do what is pono for the local community and not the developers.
We need to find water that can sustain the existing community. We have droughts already as-is without the proposed infrastructure projects. This is just irresponsible to keep building without water sources that are sustainable.
Maui cannot afford to plan development first and ask where the water will come from later. I strongly oppose any loosening of the “Show Me the Water” ordinance and ask that you defer or decline to move forward with this effort to weaken water protections.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
Aloha, my name is Lana Albright and I am writing in opposition of Bill 1.
No use for a sink if there is no water.
No use for a fire hydrant if there is no water.
I hope we have all learned lessons after the Lahaina fires.
Water is essential for human survival; let’s act accordingly.
Mahalo for your time.
Aloha! As an upcountry resident, I strongly oppose Bill 1. We are frequently on water restriction, which indicates to me that water is in short supply and a precious resource. We should be doing all we can to protect and preserve it. This bill would do the opposite. Please do the right thing and stop Bill 1. Mahalo!
I am writing to oppose Bill 1.
Infrastructure is more critical for Maui now more than ever. We need solutions that are solidly grounded in a known reality that is sustainable. Water source is a major part of our sustainability here, and how it will support further development, I understand, is critical to know and develop to avert a self-imposed crisis. It is normal to have a reactive (emotional) response to crisis, which we are in for several reasons and the reaction that this Bill seems like, and to create solutions that will provide the community with safe, dependable infrastructure with longevity, the water source and implementation should be determined and thoroughly planned out prior to awarding permits or any other leniencies on development.
We otherwise risk affecting the healing and more stable parts of the community to later compensate for an under-developed plan.
We need certainty now...step by step. This Bill does the opposite. Please do not pass.
Sylvia Cenzano 808-633-3032
The county should uphold the "Show me the water" Law, not weaken it. We should not be building any new infrastructure before verifying whether or not there is water available for new builds.
Aloha council...I fervently oppose Bill 1(2026) as it would act as a loophole around and away from that which has been established in the "Show Me The Water" ordinance. Verification of available resources, prior to development, is a prerequisite for responsible development.
Water access and diversion has been a long standing detriments to the Maui community, and this will exacerbate the issue further.
The issues downstream would be tenfold (and costly) for those community members who may unknowingly inhabit residences with insufficient water reserves.
For these reasons, I oppose the changes proposed in Bill 1
Free the wai
Give it to the people
Stop feeding profit over true progress
Why do you think the water department is not issuing new water meters. There is not enough water to support new development and the demand that would put on an already short supply.
I strongly oppose Bill 1. Allowing development without proof of adequate water is reckless, especially on Maui where water is already scarce and communities are still recovering. This bill prioritizes speculative development over public safety, environmental protection, and residents’ basic needs.
Approving projects without verified supply risks over-extraction, ecosystem damage, and increased competition for limited water. Maui County must protect water as a public trust.
Leave this item alone
As time goes on and resources, especially water, become more scarce it is imperative we think about the longer term needs and impacts of any development. This amendment would allow too many situations where developments go up before determining a substantial water source leaving the community, the department of water supply, and anyone else involved in a difficult position. The amendment is unnecessary.
It is your duty to continue to uphold the Show Me the Water Law. Without water, there is nothing and no development should be approved without secured, sufficient resources
Oppose it
Aloha Councilmembers,
I am writing to oppose Bill 1. Bill 1 fundamentally weakens Maui’s “Show Me the Water” protections by requiring approval of subdivision construction plans even when long-term water availability has not been verified. The bill’s mandatory language removes meaningful discretion and invites speculative development in areas that may not have water at all.
While the bill claims developers proceed “at their own risk,” history shows that once infrastructure is built, the public bears the consequences, through diverted water, degraded ecosystems, and emergency decision-making. The current reliance on engineering reports verifying long-term, reliable supply is a critical safeguard. Bill 1 dismantles that safeguard.
Maui cannot afford to plan development first and ask where the water will come from later. I strongly oppose any loosening of the “Show Me the Water” ordinance and ask that you defer or decline to move forward with this effort to weaken water protections.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
Mahalo,
Kathleen Gildred
Home Owner in West Maui
Aloha Councilmembers,
I am writing to oppose Bill 1.
Bill 1 fundamentally weakens Maui’s “Show Me the Water” protections by requiring approval of subdivision construction plans even when long-term water availability has not been verified. Its mandatory language removes meaningful discretion and invites speculative development in areas that may not have sufficient water at all.
I live and farm in an agricultural subdivision approved in the 1990s. Despite being zoned AG, the subdivision does not have adequate water, and our farm is already suffering the consequences.
After investing our life savings into this farm, we have been under strict watering restrictions since April 2025 — nearly a full year. These restrictions make it impossible to establish new plantings, as young crops cannot be properly watered in. We are increasingly concerned that some of our established and prized plantings may not survive under continued restrictions.
This raises serious questions that remain unanswered:
- When will Upcountry water restrictions be lifted?
- Why is the County considering approval of additional subdivisions when existing agricultural subdivisions lack adequate water?
- Why is so much water being lost through inefficiency and waste?
- Why does a foreign corporation control the system our water flows through while millions of gallons are lost daily?
- And why is the water transportation system not being properly managed, maintained, and improved?
Compounding the issue, the stream our farm runs along is currently dry, as our most streams on Maui. Water is believed to be diverted to a single company that has planted over 1 million citrus trees (heavy water consumption) and is applying pesticides, while surrounding farms using organic practices are left with severely limited access.
Before approving any new subdivisions, the County must address these existing water shortages. Approving additional development will only further strain an already inadequate and unreliable water supply.
While the bill suggests developers proceed “at their own risk,” history shows that once infrastructure is built, the public ultimately bears the consequences — through diverted water, degraded ecosystems, and emergency decision-making. The current requirement for engineering reports verifying a long-term, reliable water supply is a critical safeguard. Bill 1 dismantles that safeguard.
Maui cannot afford to approve development first and ask where the water will come from later. I strongly oppose any effort to weaken the “Show Me the Water” ordinance and respectfully urge you to defer or decline moving Bill 1 forward, and instead focus your efforts on addresses the existing water shortage issues.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
Lauren Lipcon
Farm: 808-419-6135
Cell: 305-321-6465
355 Kaluanui Road
Makawao, HI 96768
Aloha Committee Members,
I am writing because I oppose Bill 1.
We have had droughts more often than not in recent years, with many water restrictions for Maui’s long-term residents. The “Show me the Water “ ordinance should stay as is. Otherwise local residents will pay the price. Engineering reports verifying long-term reliable water supply is a critical safeguard. Bill 1 would dismantles that safeguard.
This makes absolutely no common sense to me.
Please do what is pono for the local community and not the developers.
Mahalo for your time,
Paula Phillips
Haiku
I oppose Bill 1
We need to find water that can sustain the existing community. We have droughts already as-is without the proposed infrastructure projects. This is just irresponsible to keep building without water sources that are sustainable.
Maui cannot afford to plan development first and ask where the water will come from later. I strongly oppose any loosening of the “Show Me the Water” ordinance and ask that you defer or decline to move forward with this effort to weaken water protections.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
Aloha, my name is Lana Albright and I am writing in opposition of Bill 1.
No use for a sink if there is no water.
No use for a fire hydrant if there is no water.
I hope we have all learned lessons after the Lahaina fires.
Water is essential for human survival; let’s act accordingly.
Mahalo for your time.
Aloha! As an upcountry resident, I strongly oppose Bill 1. We are frequently on water restriction, which indicates to me that water is in short supply and a precious resource. We should be doing all we can to protect and preserve it. This bill would do the opposite. Please do the right thing and stop Bill 1. Mahalo!
Strongly oppose and agree with oppositions statements as already shared
STONG OPPOSITION based on all of the thoughtful responses below have already shared.
I am writing to oppose Bill 1.
Infrastructure is more critical for Maui now more than ever. We need solutions that are solidly grounded in a known reality that is sustainable. Water source is a major part of our sustainability here, and how it will support further development, I understand, is critical to know and develop to avert a self-imposed crisis. It is normal to have a reactive (emotional) response to crisis, which we are in for several reasons and the reaction that this Bill seems like, and to create solutions that will provide the community with safe, dependable infrastructure with longevity, the water source and implementation should be determined and thoroughly planned out prior to awarding permits or any other leniencies on development.
We otherwise risk affecting the healing and more stable parts of the community to later compensate for an under-developed plan.
We need certainty now...step by step. This Bill does the opposite. Please do not pass.
Sylvia Cenzano 808-633-3032
The county should uphold the "Show me the water" Law, not weaken it. We should not be building any new infrastructure before verifying whether or not there is water available for new builds.
Aloha council...I fervently oppose Bill 1(2026) as it would act as a loophole around and away from that which has been established in the "Show Me The Water" ordinance. Verification of available resources, prior to development, is a prerequisite for responsible development.
Water access and diversion has been a long standing detriments to the Maui community, and this will exacerbate the issue further.
The issues downstream would be tenfold (and costly) for those community members who may unknowingly inhabit residences with insufficient water reserves.
For these reasons, I oppose the changes proposed in Bill 1