Tapped Out
It’s been a minute since much attention has been paid to scarce water resources on the bone-dry leeward side of Hawai‘i Island. So it came as a shock to practically all concerned when, suddenly last month, questions arose over the ability of the underlying aquifer to support unlimited development.
Advocates for the Waikoloa Green proposal, which brought the question into focus, devised a two-fold defense. They reduced their water budget by 72 percent. Next, they challenged findings of the state Water Commission as to how much drawdown the Waimea aquifer can actually support.
Will it be enough? It’s not clear at this point.
But this is: all parties concerned, from the Water Commission on down — to the county Planning Department, the Planning Commission, the County Council, the developers and their consultants – should start paying serious attention to water.
Now isn’t soon enough, but it’s all that can be done.
