Hawaii State Commission on Water Resource Management

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Categories: Planning in Hawaii | Environmental issues in Hawaii

The Hawaii State Commission on Water Resource Management administers the State Water Code, which was created by the 1987 Hawaii State Legislature. The Commission's general mission is to protect and enhance the water resources of the State of Hawaii through wise and responsible management. The Water Commission is, in effect, a trustee of Hawaii's ground- and surface-water resources, excluding ocean waters, setting policies and establishing priorities for water use statewide.

There are a total of seven members on the Commission. Two are ex-officio members and five are appointed by the Governor from lists submitted by a nominating committee, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The Commission on Water Resource Management is within the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Under the general direction of the Deputy Director for Water Resource Management, the staff provides administrative and technical support services to the Commission. The staff's primary responsibilities are to implement and administer the provisions of the State Water Code by planning, surveying, regulating, monitoring, and conserving the State's water resources within established plans that have been adopted by the Commission.

The Commission's staff is comprised of the Surveying, Planning, Ground-Water Regulation, and Stream Protection and Management Branches.

In February 2005, DLNR's Deputy Director of water resource management, Yvonne Izu, resigned, after being asked to write testimony in support of Senate Bill 503, which effectively abolishes the statewide Water Commission. Izu stated, "I didn't feel it was fair to ask Water Commission staff to prepare testimony that would dismantle the agency that they work for." SB 503 was introduced by Republican Sens. Fred Hemmings, Bob Hogue, Gordon Trimble, Sam Slom and Paul Whalen and supported by the Lingle administration. According to Sen. Hemmings, the bill would allow each county government to make its own water decisions without state interference. SB 503 appears to have died for the 2005 legislative session.

Members of the Commission on Water Resource Management:

Peter T. Young, Chairperson (Director for Hawai'i's Department of Land and Natural Resources)
Commissioner Chiyome L. Fukino, M.D. (Director of the Hawaii State Department of Health)

Commissioner Meredith J. Ching (First Term: Jan. 1, 2002 - June 30, 2005)
Commissioner Clayton W. Dela Cruz (First Term: Jan. 1, 2002 - June 30, 2005)
Commissioner James A. Frazier (First Term: July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2007)
Commissioner Lawrence H. Miike (First Term: Interim)
Commissioner Stephanie A. Whalen (First Term: July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2007)

Contact:

     •Office Address:
       Kalanimoku Building
       1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 227
       Honolulu, Hawaii  96813

     •Mailing Address:
       P.O. Box 621
       Honolulu, Hawaii  96809

     •Phone:  (808) 587-0214
     •Fax:    (808) 587-0219
     •E-mail: dlnr.cwrm@hawaii.gov

External Links

Commission on Water Resource Management administers the State Water Code, which was created by the 1987 Hawaii State Legislature. (State of Hawaii)
Water official quits in protest -- The administrator of the state water panel leaves after opposing a bill that might kill it Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2-12-05.
OHA criticizes state land director -- The agency votes to express concern to Lingle and call for a department audit Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2-25-05.
Agency adopts water-saving plan Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 3-31-05.
Golf course water plans get OK -- The Central Oahu project is criticized by environmental groups for its usage plans. By Diana Leone Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 10-26-05.
2 isles may set limits on access to water supply By Christie Wilson Honolulu Advertiser, 11-6-05.
There's hope for better water rules Honolulu Advertiser, 11-9-05.
Star-Bulletin staff. Deadline extended for water panel applicants Honolulu Star-Bulletin, November 28, 2006.
Kubota, Gary. State control sought for 4 Maui streams -- Two groups petition in a move to end a perceived monopoly Honolulu Star-Bulletin, December 11, 2006.
Kawahara to oversee state water policies -- The engineer has served in the public and private sectors Honolulu Star-Bulletin, July 2, 2007.
Dooley, Jim. Hawaii court steps in on water dispute, Honolulu Advertiser, January 1, 2008.
Kubota, Gary T. Molokai water permit denied -- A Hawaiian group praises the Supreme Court ruling against a major landowner Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 3, 2008.

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This page was last modified 20:33, 3 January 2008 by dKosopedia user Jbet777. Based on work by dKosopedia user(s) Allamakee Democrat and PatriotismOverProfits. Content is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.