Kapalua: Mandatory Non-Potable Conservation Update
IMPORTANT WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE FOR 9/26/25
We are continuing our Tier 3 water conservation status, or 60% reduction of normal water use. We will be allowing non-potable water irrigation at Tier 3 until further notice and will be monitoring daily usage closely to confirm we have enough water in our reservoirs for fire protection. If we are unable to keep up with the demand of water for irrigation purposes, we will need to return to Tier 4 status to maintain sufficient fire protection levels.
We ask our Kapalua customers to use water responsibly. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water in our reservoirs for safety and firefighting needs.
We would like to remind our customers that we are still experiencing severe drought conditions in the Kapalua area with low water flows in the streams. Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) are not consistently being met, challenging our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation purposes from the Honokohau Ditch system.
For more information on the drought, please visit: www.drought.gov/states/hawaii/county/maui
If you have further questions, please contact Superintendent Christian Rosenthal at [email protected] or at (808) 303-5843, or Operations Manager John Kadowaki at (808) 269-4048. Mahalo for your continued cooperation.
Posted September 12, 2025
IMPORTANT WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE FOR 9/12/25
We are continuing with our Tier 3 water conservation status, or 60% reduction of normal water use. We will be allowing non-potable water irrigation at Tier 3 until further notice and will be monitoring daily usage closely to confirm we have enough water in our reservoirs for fire protection. If we are unable to keep up with the demand of water for irrigation purposes, we will need to return to Tier 4 status to ensure sufficient fire protection levels.
We will be continuing with our weekly water conservation notices over the next few weeks as we gather more updated information on water usage rates throughout the Kapalua area. The Tier 3 conservation status will allow our customers to water at a 60% reduction of your normal non-potable daily usage (example: If you typically use 1,000 gallons/day, it would be reduced to 400 gallons/day).
We ask our Kapalua customers to use water responsibly. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water in our reservoirs for safety and firefighting needs.
We would like to remind our customers that we are still experiencing severe drought conditions in the Kapalua area with low water flows in the streams. Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) are not consistently being met, challenging our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation purposes from the Honokohau Ditch system. The temporary allowance to use groundwater from wells is expected to support Tier 3 conservation levels at a 60% reduction of normal water use, but does not support returning to normal non-potable water use, due to the capacity of the wells.
For more information on the drought, please visit: www.drought.gov/states/hawaii/county/maui
If you have questions, please contact Hawaii Water’s Kapalua Superintendent Christian Rosenthal at [email protected] or (808) 303-5843, or me at (808) 269-4048. Mahalo for your continued cooperation.
Posted September 4, 2025
IMPORTANT WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE FOR 9/4/25
Beginning Saturday, September 6, we will be lifting our Tier 4 water conservation requirement and moving into a Tier 3 water conservation status, or 60% reduction of normal water use. We will be allowing non-potable water irrigation at Tier 3 until further notice, and will be monitoring daily usage closely to confirm we have enough water in our reservoirs for fire protection. If we are unable to keep up with the demand of water for irrigation purposes, we will need to return to Tier 4 status to ensure sufficient fire protection levels.
We will be continuing with our weekly water conservation notices over the next few weeks as we gather more updated information on water usage rates throughout the Kapalua area. The Tier 3 conservation status will allow our customers to water at a 60% reduction of your normal non-potable daily usage (example: If you typically use 1,000 gallons/day, it would be reduced to 400 gallons/day).
We ask our Kapalua customers to use water responsibly. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water in our reservoirs for safety and firefighting needs.
We would like to remind our customers that we are still experiencing severe drought conditions in the Kapalua area with low water flows in the streams. Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) are not consistently being met, challenging our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation purposes from the Honokohau Ditch system. The temporary allowance to use groundwater from wells is expected to support Tier 3 conservation levels at a 60% reduction of normal water use, but does not support returning to normal non-potable water use, due to the capacity of the wells.
For more information on the drought, please visit: www.drought.gov/states/hawaii/county/maui
If you have questions, please contact Hawaii Water’s Kapalua Superintendent Christan Rosenthal at [email protected] or (808) 303-5843, or me at (808) 269-4048. Mahalo for your continued cooperation.
Posted September 2, 2025
We are reminding all of our Kapalua customers that non-potable irrigation is currently prohibited, as we remain in Tier 4 of our conservation restrictions, and no irrigation is permitted. We will need to interrupt water service to any property found irrigating during this time.
We understand that this may be inconvenient to customers and are taking this step in response to the severe drought we are experiencing and lack of water in the ditch, which needs to be reserved for firefighting protection. Mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted August 31, 2025
Due to serious drought conditions, we are currently in the Tier 4 stage of conservation, which restricts ALL non-potable outdoor irrigation to zero usage. In order to provide adequate water supply for fire protection, we will interrupt the flow of water to any property that is not in compliance.
Mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted August 30, 2025
Based on our meter readings, water conservation guidelines were not followed by all irrigation users in Kapalua. DUE TO NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE TIER 2 CONSERVATION NOTICE, WE MUST IMPLEMENT TIER 4 and RESTRICT IRRIGATION TO ZERO USAGE UNTIL THE RESERVOIRS CAN BE REFILLED. In the future, users MUST comply with reduction requirements or additional restrictions will be required.
Background:
Due to non-compliance by all users with this reduction request, we must restrict irrigation use for the reservoirs to fill up. In the future, users MUST comply with the required reduction in average daily water use; otherwise, the system cannot keep up.
Kapalua irrigation systems are served by stream water. Stream water is not available due to low stream flow levels caused by the ongoing drought conditions. Stream flows are below required standards, which that no water be diverted from the stream for any other uses. For more information on the drought, please visit Drought Conditions for Maui County.
Following recent guidance from the State of Hawaii, our team has been manually operating Kapalua’s two potable water wells in Kapalua in order to supplement the irrigation water systems that supply our customers.
Posted August 29, 2025
**Non-potable irrigation may be further restricted if conservation guidelines are not followed**
IMPORTANT WATER CONSERVATION ALERT
Based on our meter readings, this week’s Tier 2 water conservation guidelines are not being followed by all Kapalua irrigation users. Kapalua’s two available groundwater wells cannot keep up with the amount of non-compliant irrigation usage occurring.
Unfortunately, if customers do not immediately observe the conservation guidelines, we will be required to restrict irrigation to zero usage until the reservoirs can be refilled. We urge users to comply with the Tier 2 conservation level, which calls for a 40% reduction in average daily water use, in order to help prevent greater restrictions.
Background:
Kapalua irrigation systems are served by stream water. Stream water is not available due to low streamflow levels caused by the ongoing drought conditions. Stream flows are below required standards, which means that no water can be diverted from the stream for any other uses. For more information on the drought, please visit Drought Conditions for Maui County.
Following a recent allowance from the State of Hawaii, our team has been manually operating Kapalua’s two potable water wells in Kapalua in order to supplement the irrigation water systems.
During this time, we have been closely monitoring reservoir levels, water supply conditions, and water usage by our customers. This analysis indicates that the current Tier 2 (40% reduction in use) water conservation guidelines are not being followed by all users. Due to this non-compliance, the groundwater wells cannot keep up with our customers’ use, and our irrigation reservoirs are approaching critical levels.
It is essential that all Kapalua customers comply with the conservation requirements immediately.
If users continue to exceed the Tier 2 guidelines, we will have no choice but to implement more stringent reductions, in order to allow the reservoirs to fill back up.
Mahalo for your cooperation,
Hawaii Water Service
Posted August 23, 2025
The Commission on Water Resource Management has allowed the temporary use of groundwater as a substitute for surface water during low-flow periods, pending Commission action on Hawaii Water’s water use permit application.
Due to the above confirmation, we will be lifting our Tier 4 water conservation requirement and moving into a Tier 2 water conservation status, or 40% reduction of normal water use. We will be allowing non-potable water irrigation at Tier 2 until further notice.
We will be continuing with our weekly water conservation notices over the next few weeks as we gather more information on water usage rates throughout the Kapalua area. The Tier 2 conservation status will allow our customers to water at a 40% reduction of your normal non-potable daily usage (example: If you typically use 1,000 gallons/day, it would be reduced to 600 gallons/day).
We ask our Kapalua customers to use water responsibly. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water in our reservoirs for safety and firefighting needs.
The Kapalua area is still experiencing severe drought conditions with low water flows in the streams. Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) are not consistently being met, challenging our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation purposes from the Honokohau Ditch system.
For more information on the drought, please visit: Drought Conditions for Maui County
Posted August 15
Weekly water conservation schedule update (weekends included):
Due to low precipitation in the upcoming weekly weather forecast, we will be continuing our Tier 4 water conservation status designation and are asking our Kapalua customers that NO WATERING or IRRIGATING with the NON-POTABLE WATER SUPPLY be done until further notice (Tier 4 water conservation status means 100% No Non-Potable/Irrigation usage during this designation). Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.
The Tier 4 status is due to low precipitation, resulting in drought conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. Currently, the minimum stream flow requirement of 13.3 CFS is not consistently being met in the Honokohau stream due to the low precipitation. This prohibits our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted August 7
Weekly water conservation schedule update (weekends included):
Due to low precipitation in the upcoming weekly forecast, we will be continuing our Tier 4 water conservation status designation and are asking our Kapalua customers that NO WATERING or IRRIGATING with the NON-POTABLE WATER SUPPLY be done until further notice (Tier 4 water conservation status means 100% No Non-Potable/Irrigation usage during this designation). Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.
The Tier 4 status is due to low precipitation, resulting in drought conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. Currently, the minimum stream flow requirement of 13.3 CFS is not consistently being met in the Honokohau stream due to the low precipitation. This prohibits our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted July 31
Weekly water conservation schedule update (weekends included):
Due to low precipitation in the upcoming weekly forecast, we will be continuing our Tier 4 water conservation status designation and are asking our Kapalua customers that NO WATERING or IRRIGATING with the NON-POTABLE WATER SUPPLY be done until further notice (Tier 4 water conservation status means 100% no non-potable/irrigation usage during this designation). Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.
The Tier 4 status is due to low precipitation, resulting in drought conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. Currently, the minimum stream flow requirement of 13.3 CFS is not consistently being met in the Honokohau stream due to the low precipitation. This prohibits our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted July 25
Weekly watering schedule update (Weekends Included):
Due to low precipitation in the upcoming weekly forecast, starting on Friday, July, 25, 2025, we will be returning to Tier 4 water conservation status and ask our Kapalua customers not to water or irrigate with the non-potable water supply until further notice (Tier 4 water conservation status means 100% no non-potable/irrigation usage during this designation). Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.
The Tier 4 status is due to low precipitation, resulting in drought conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. Currently, the minimum stream flow requirement of 13.3 CFS is not consistently being met in the Honokohau stream due to the low precipitation. This prohibits our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted July 17
Due to precipitation in the upcoming weekly forecast, we will be continuing our temporary lift of our Tier 4 water conservation to a Tier 3 water conservation status. We will allow non-potable irrigating to continue through Friday, July 25, 2025, at this time. Tier 3 water conservation notice will allow you to water at a 60% reduction of your normal non-potable daily usage. (For example: If you use 1,000 gals per/day it would be reduced to 400 gals per/day.) We ask our Kapalua customers to continue to water responsibly during this period. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water in our reservoirs for safety and firefighting needs.
The temporary Tier 3 status change is due to the upcoming weekly weather forecast and is subject to change if weather conditions start to decline, resulting in drought-like conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. The current minimum stream flow requirement is 13.3 CFS at all times in the Honokohau stream. If the IIFS is not consistently being met, this will prohibit our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation purposes and may result in the early cancellation of the temporary tier 3 status. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted July 11
Weekly watering schedule update (weekends included):
Due to precipitation in the upcoming weekly forecast, we will be temporarily lifting our Tier 4 water conservation to a Tier 3 water conservation status. We will allow non-potable irrigating from Monday, July 14, through Friday, July 18, 2025, only. Tier 3 water conservation notice will allow you to water at a 60% reduction of your normal non-potable daily usage. (For example: If you use 1,000 gals per/day it would be reduced to 400 gals per/day.) We ask our Kapalua customers to continue to water responsibly during this period. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water in our reservoirs for safety and firefighting needs.
The temporary Tier 3 status change is due to upcoming weekly weather forecast and is subject to change if weather conditions start to decline, resulting in drought-like conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. The current minimum stream flow requirement is 13.3 CFS at all times in the Honokohau stream. If the IIFS is not consistently being met, this will prohibit our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation purposes and may result in the early cancellation of the temporary tier 3 status. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted July 2
Weekly watering schedule update (weekends included):
Due to low precipitation in the weekly forecast again, we must remain in Tier 4 conservation and ask our Kapalua customers to continue not to water or irrigate with the non-potable water supply until further notice. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.
The Tier 4 status is due to low precipitation, resulting in drought conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. Currently, the minimum stream flow requirement of 13.3 CFS is not being met in the Honokohau stream due to the low precipitation. This prohibits our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted June 27
Weekly watering schedule update (weekends included):
Due to low precipitation in the weekly forecast again, we must remain in Tier 4 conservation and ask our Kapalua customers to continue not to water or irrigate with the non-potable water supply until further notice. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.
The Tier 4 status is due to low precipitation, resulting in drought conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. Currently, the minimum stream flow requirement of 13.3 CFS is not being met in the Honokohau stream due to the low precipitation. This prohibits our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted June 19
Weekly watering schedule update (weekends included):
Due to low precipitation in the weekly forecast again, we must remain in Tier 4 conservation and ask our Kapalua customers to continue not to water or irrigate with the non-potable water supply until further notice. Your cooperation will help us retain enough water for safety and firefighting needs.
The Tier 4 status is due to low precipitation, resulting in drought conditions. The State of Hawaii Commission of Water Resource Management’s Interim In-stream Flow Standards or (IIFS) sets the minimum stream flow requirements. Currently, the minimum stream flow requirement of 13.3 CFS is not being met in the Honokohau stream due to the low precipitation. This prohibits our ability to supply non-potable water for irrigation. Any water remaining in our irrigation reservoirs must be strictly reserved for fire protection.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
Posted June 13
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 June 5
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 29
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 22
Weekend watering schedule update:
With little precipitation in our weekend forecast, 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, and help us provide water to the County of Maui as their current reservoir levels are low.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and mahalo for your cooperation.
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, stream flow, 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, stream flow, 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 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.
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.
Mahalo for your continued cooperation, patience, and support as Hawaii Water 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.
Mahalo for your continued cooperation, patience, and support as Hawaii Water 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 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 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