DHHL presenter says water reservations safeguard future Kauai homesteads, but practical delivery requires more work

An agency official for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) presented the department's water policy plan update for Kauai and emphasized water reservations as a primary tool to secure supply for present and future homesteads. The official said the Commission on Water Resource Management sets aside reservations "for DHHL's current and future water needs" but stressed the technical and administrative steps that remain before homesteads receive flowing water.

"A water reservation is not immediate access to wet water," the presenter said, noting the conversion from reservation to operational supply requires planning, financing, environmental review and design and the negotiation of water agreements. The presentation cited HAR section 13-171-60 in describing reservations as a public-trust purpose that protects long-term beneficiary rights.

The presenter identified several newer land acquisitions where estimated water demands remain to be determined and noted the Kauai Department of Water is interested in acquiring a well at Moloa'a that "may enable DHHL to activate" those lands. The update framed reservations as a necessary early step to protect claims and preserve options while detailed infrastructure and funding work continues.

DHHL said it will continue planning and pursue the administrative and funding processes needed to convert reservations into delivery projects; no specific project schedules or funding commitments beyond planning were announced.