Kapalua: Mandatory Non-Potable Conservation Update

Posted on May 15, 2025

Posted May 15

Weekend watering schedule update:

There is no rain in our weekend forecast again, so we must remain in Tier 4 conservation and ask our Kapalua customers not to water this weekend. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Posted May 9

Weekend watering schedule update:

With no rain in our weekend forecast, we are asking our Kapalua customers not to water this weekend. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Posted May 3

While we hoped that we could allow Tier 3 watering all weekend, unfortunately, the stream has dried up faster than expected, and we must reinstate Tier 4 water conservation on Sunday.

Please stop outdoor irrigation beginning Sunday so that we can retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Posted May 2

Weekend watering schedule update:

This is just a reminder from our update posted last week. Until further notice, watering will be allowed at Tier 3 60% water conservation levels on Saturdays and Sundays.

You will be notified if the watering schedule must be curtailed on Saturdays or Sundays due to prolonged dry conditions during the week preceding the weekend schedule. If no notice is issued, as it was not this week, then non-potable customers can assume that watering on Saturday and Sunday at Tier 3, 60% conservation levels, will remain active.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Posted April 24

Weekend watering schedule update:

Aloha, Kapalua and other West Maui non-potable water users. Precipitation has been favorable over the past week, and greater adherence to non-potable Tier 4 conservation requirements during the week has provided our operations with more stable and predictable non-potable water demand trending.

Due to everyone’s efforts, we are more confident with reinstating the weekend watering schedule. With that said, until further notice, watering will be allowed at Tier 3 60% water conservation levels on Saturdays and Sundays.

You will be notified if the watering schedule must be curtailed on Saturdays or Sundays due to prolonged dry conditions during the week preceding the weekend schedule. If no notice is issued, then non-potable customers can assume that watering on Saturday and Sunday at Tier 3, 60% conservation levels, will remain active.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Posted April 17

Weekend watering schedule update:

Kapalua and other West Maui non-potable water users will be allowed to irrigate this weekend at 60% Tier 3 water conservation levels, On Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20. Tier 4 will resume on Monday, April 21. Your cooperation helps us preserve water needed for fire protection. If you are observed irrigating during a Tier 4 event, your water meter will be shut off until the tier is reduced.

The watering schedule will be evaluated weekly based on local precipitation, wind, ditch flow, streamflow, and reservoir levels. Please check our website on Thursdays for updates.

We recognize the inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation and support.

Posted April 10

Weekend watering schedule update:

Kapalua and other West Maui non-potable water users will be allowed to irrigate for one day this weekend, Saturday, April 12. Your cooperation helps us preserve water needed for fire protection. If you are observed irrigating during a Tier 4 event, your water meter will be shut off until the tier is reduced.

The watering schedule will be evaluated weekly based on local precipitation, wind, ditch flow, streamflow, and reservoir levels. Please check our website on Thursdays for updates.

We recognize the inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation and support.

Posted April 4

Due to continuing warm, dry weather in the forecast, we must continue to observe Tier 4 irrigation restrictions this weekend, which prohibits non-potable water use for irrigation. Your cooperation will help preserve water needed for fire protection.

We will continue to provide updates to you as we have more information or weather conditions change. We recognize the inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation and support.

Posted March 30

Dear Kapalua and other West Maui non-potable water users,

While we hoped to enable customers to irrigate under Tier 3 conservation schedule on weekends, the flow in the Honokohau stream is currently too low to sustain any irrigation. As such, we must move back into Tier 4 today, March 30, which prohibits any non-potable water use for irrigation.

Effective immediately, please cease any irrigation using non-potable water supplies. All water in the Kapalua non-potable reservoirs must be reserved for fire protection during Tier 4 restrictions. We will notify you when you may resume irrigation.

As background, most of the fire protection systems and non-potable irrigation systems in the Kapalua area are fed by reservoirs that receive water from an irrigation ditch connected to Honokohau stream. In 2018, heavy rains associated with Hurricane Lane caused irreparable damage to elements of the ditch system resulting in less water entering the ditch. Compounding matters, current drought conditions have impacted non-potable water availability.

The water conservation plan is based on a 4-tier system. State regulations require us to meet Honokohau stream’s IIFS at all times. Additionally, when surface water is available, we are required to prioritize water delivery to the County of Maui potable water treatment facility over other uses. The distribution of the remaining water supply from the Kapalua reservoirs must be prioritized for fire protection. Tier levels are determined based on available water supply and water storage levels at the time of notification and may not always be sequential.

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes, and mahalo for your continued cooperation, patience, and support as Hawaii Water Service and Maui Land & Pineapple work together to meet all required federal, state, and county regulations. We are dedicated to protecting the environment and resources as part of our responsibility as good corporate citizens. If you have any questions, please contact me at (808) 269-4048.

For more information on the current state of drought in Hawaii, visit: U.S. Drought Monitor – Hawaii

Sincerely,

John Kadowaki
Operations Manager
Hawaii Water Service

Originally posted March 26

Dear Kapalua and other West Maui non-potable water users,

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation with our current Tier 4 mandatory water conservation requirements. Unfortunately, because of the continued lack of rainfall, the Honokohau Stream flow level remains low. In order to maintain the Interim In-Stream Flow Standard (IIFS) minimum flow levels in Honokohau Stream required by Hawaii State Commission for Water Resource Management (CWRM), non-potable water use must continue to be curtailed. Any remaining water in the ditch, after the IIFS is met, will be prioritized and delivered to the Maui County water treatment plant for potable use as required by CWRM. The remaining water in the Kapalua non-potable reservoirs must be reserved for fire protection during Tier 4 restrictions.

We have collaborated with Maui County’s Department of Water Supply, as we understand that irrigation is important. With their assistance, we will be implementing a non-potable watering schedule allowing irrigation at Tier 3 (60% water conservation) on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) for the time being.

Non-potable water use schedule, effective 3/26/25 until stream flow increases:

Tier 4: Mondays – Fridays (100% reduction; no non-potable water use allowed)

Tier 3: Saturdays – Sundays (watering allowed at 60% reduction)

As background, most of the fire protection systems and non-potable irrigation systems in the Kapalua area are fed by reservoirs which receive water from an irrigation ditch connected to Honokohau stream. In 2018, heavy rains associated with Hurricane Lane caused irreparable damage to elements of the ditch system resulting in less water entering the ditch. Compounding matters, current drought conditions have impacted non-potable water availability.

Mahalo for your continued cooperation, patience, and support as Hawaii Water Service and Maui Land & Pineapple work together to meet all required federal, state, and county regulations. We are dedicated to protecting the environment and resources as part of our responsibility as good corporate citizens.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (808) 269-4048.

Sincerely,

John Kadowaki
Operations Manager
Hawaii Water Service

Published 3/21/25

Dear Kapalua and other West Maui non-potable water users,

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation with our current Tier 3 mandatory water conservation requirements. Unfortunately, because of the lack of consistent rainfall, the Honokohau stream level has dropped below the Interim In-Stream Flow Standard (IIFS). Due to this situation, beginning today, March 21, we must move into Tier 4 for the next five days (with no non-potable/irrigation water use allowed except for fire protection).

We expect to be able to move back into Tier 3 (with a 60% reduction in non-potable/irrigation water use) beginning Wednesday, March 26; however, please be advised that we may have to return to Tier 4 soon after if we do not receive rainfall. We will update you when this Tier 4 advisory ends next week.

As background, our water conservation plan is based on a 4-tier system. It was established due to low precipitation in the Pu’u kukui watershed, which has resulted in low surface water levels. State regulations require us to meet Honokohau stream’s IIFS of 13.3 CFS at all times. The distribution of the remaining water supply within the Kapalua reservoirs must be prioritized and at times used solely for fire protection and sustainable crops.

The 4-tier system includes:

Tier 1: 20% reduction of non-potable water usage
Tier 2: 40% reduction of non-potable water usage
Tier 3: 60% reduction of non-potable water usage
Tier 4: Fire protection use only, 100% reduction of non-potable water usage

Tier levels are determined based on available water supply and water storage levels at the time of notification and may not always be sequential.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (808) 269-4048.

Sincerely,

John Kadowaki
Operations Manager
Hawaii Water Service

Published 2/20/25

Dear Kapalua and other West Maui non-potable water users:

On Friday, Sept. 27th, 2024, we initially informed you of the need to reduce use of non-potable ditch water for landscape irrigation in order to meet Honokohau stream’s Interim In-stream Flow Standard (IIFS). Thanks to your efforts over the past 4 1/2 months, Kapalua reservoir levels have remained stable. However, due to the lack of consistent precipitation at the Pu’u Kukui watershed elevation, the Honokohau stream and irrigation ditch system are now at critically low levels. As such, we must move from the current tier 2 (with 40% reduction) into tier 3, which requires 60% reduction of non-potable water use. Please limit outdoor irrigation until further notice.

As background, our water conservation plan is based on a 4-tier system. It has been put in place due to low precipitation in the Pu’u kukui watershed, which has resulted in low surface water levels. State regulations require us to meet Honokohau stream’s IIFS of 13.3 CFS at all times. The distribution of the remaining water supply within the Kapalua reservoirs must be prioritized and at times used solely for fire protection and sustainable crops.

The 4-tier system includes:

Tier 1: 20% reduction of non-potable water usage
Tier 2: 40% reduction of non-potable water usage
Tier 3: 60% reduction of non-potable water usage
Tier 4: Fire protection use only, 100% reduction of non-potable water usage

Tier levels are determined based on available water supply and water storage levels at the time of notification and may not always be sequential.

Mahalo for your continued cooperation and support as Hawaii Water Service and Maui Land & Pineapple work together to meet all required federal, state, and county regulations. We are firmly dedicated to our responsibility as corporate citizens to protect the environment and resources within our stewardship.

If you have any questions, please contact me directly at (808) 269-4048.

Sincerely,
John Kadowaki
Operations Manager
Hawaii Water Service