SB2824

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that an average of more than 8,700,000 gallons of treated waste water is disposed of every day using injection wells on the island of Maui. This method of disposal causes groundwater contamination, algae blooms, and coral reef damage in nearshore waters. To prevent and mitigate these damages and prevent further environmental harm, the legislature believes that additional infrastructure is needed for treatment, distribution, and storage of reclaimed water for subsequent use. The legislature further finds that the most desirable use for reclaimed water is for the irrigation of agricultural lands and landscaping, and emergency firefighting.

The legislature notes that in August 2023, wildfires on Maui burned more than an estimated seventeen thousand acres of land, including most of the historic town of Lahaina, killed at least one hundred people, and injured and traumatized many more. Providing firefighters with access to stored reclaimed water with which to fight fires will increase public safety, protect affected lands, and save lives. Further, due to its levels of salinity, the use of salt water to fight fires alters the chemical composition of the affected soil. For example, the introduction of saline from seawater to topsoil creates barren landscapes that are unable to support native plant life and intensifies erosion, which helps to carry salinized soil to other areas.

The legislature recognizes that water is a valued commodity and should not be disposed of without careful consideration. The legislature believes that without increasing the use of reclaimed water in the State, residents will encounter potable drinking water shortages caused by the overuse of potable drinking water for agricultural, landscaping, or firefighting purposes. The legislature also finds that using former plantation reservoirs to store reclaimed water will allow for easier access for agriculture and landscaping use for West Maui and will provide firefighters with efficient access to fresh water.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to authorize the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds to the agribusiness development corporation for the upgrade of:

(1) The R-1 water delivery systems in South and West Maui; and

(2) Water reservoirs located in the forest watershed areas of South and West Maui.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purpose of capital improvement projects for South and West Maui, as follows:

1. R-1 water delivery system, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of R-1 water delivery systems in South and West Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

2. Field 140 reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Field 140 reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

3. Mahinahina reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Mahinahina reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

4. Crater reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Crater reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

5. Kahoma reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Kahoma reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

6. E-2 reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the E-2 reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

7. Makila reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Makila reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

8. Kauaula reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Kauaula reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

9. Olowalu reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Olowalu reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

10. Ukumehame reservoir, Maui.

Plans, design, land acquisition, construction, and equipment for the upgrade of the Ukumehame reservoir on the island of Maui.

Plans $

Design $

Land acquisition $

Construction $

Equipment $

Total Funding $

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 4. The agribusiness development corporation shall collaborate with the department of land and natural resources, county of Maui, and private landowners, as necessary, to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2824
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII