Action Alert: Free the Water Commission
A bill to address undue political influence on the Water Commission has been scheduled for a hearing this Friday March 1st at 10:31 AM in the Senate. Please submit testimony in support!
Senate Ways and Means & Judiciary Committees
Friday March 1st at 10:31 AM at Capitol room 211 and on Zoom
Written Testimony due Thursday, February 29th
Support SB3327 SD1 - Free the Water Commission
What Does This Bill Do?
Would allow the Water Commission to hold water code violators accountable with meaningful fines, and take emergency and timely action during water shortages caused by prolonged droughts, aquifer contamination, rising chloride levels, or other unforeseen events. Protects Water Commission members and staff from the influence of opportunistic and politically connected corporate interests, allowing them to implement the state Water Code in the public’s interest, and without fear of political retribution.
Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chairs Dela Cruz and Rhoads, Vice Chairs Moriwaki and Gabbard, and Honorable Committee Members,
I am testifying in strong support of SB3327 SD1 which will finally implement decades-long recommendations to try to minimize political influences on our Water Commission. It will also enable the CWRM Commissioners and their staff to focus on their important duties instead of responding to political maneuvering.
We unfortunately witnessed the worst kind political influence and attempted water grabs in the aftermath of the Lāhainā fires. Wealthy developers seeking water for luxury developments, using the cover of the recent disaster, engaged in a damaging misinformation campaign that was parroted in both local and national media. This misinformation campaign led to the temporary revoking of the water code, threats of undoing the hard won Maui Komohana water management area and the unwarranted scapegoating and reassignment of then Deputy Director Manuel.
It was only after massive outcry from a still grieving community that the administration walked back its suspension of the water code, threats to undo the water management area and reassignment of former Deputy Director Manuel. This kind of politicking placed an additional burden on an already traumatized community by forcing them to defend a ground and surface area water management they already fought decades to enact. Despite just losing homes and loved ones, hundreds of displaced Lāhainā residents took time while still grieving and flew to another island multiple times to defend their water rights and an unfairly scapegoated Deputy Director. No community should ever be put in this position.
Increased fine limit provides the necessary power to dissuade private interests from repeatedly taking more water than allowed and overstressing aquifers.
SB3327 SD1 also provides CWRM the appropriate authority to take action in the case of an emergency, which it has not been the case to date.
Please support SB3327 SD1. It is an important measure to restore trust in the State Commission on Water Resources, and to ensure it can exercise its constitutional and statutory duties to uphold Hawaiʻi’s water code and protect our precious public trust water resources free from political influence.
Mahalo for your consideration. Ola i ka wai!
Your Name, Town
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Make sure you have set up your account on the Hawaii State Legislature website. If you are new to the process, see this helpful page on legislative engagement 101 from the Public Access Room including a link on how to submit testimony!
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The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) is deeply committed to championing social, economic, and environmental justice throughout Hawaiʻi. Recognizing the interconnected nature of food systems, we underscore that the challenges plaguing these systems are not isolated from broader social, economic, and environmental concerns. We believe in an integrated approach that addresses these interdependencies to create a just, equitable, and sustainable future for Hawaiʻi.
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