Commission on Water Resource Management

Commission staff released its report on biological survey results conducted on streams associated with the Kōke‘e Ditch system.

• PR-2024-01: Macrofauna Survey Results for Mohihi, Waiakoali, Kauaikinanā, and Kōke‘e Streams at 3,400ft in Waimea, Kaua‘i

The Commission was presented with an Update on Implementation of Waimea Watershed Agreement, Waimea, Kauai. No briefing materials were prepared and no testimony was submitted.

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Briefing C2: Update on Implementation of Waimea Watershed Agreement, Waimea, Kauai
• Commission Meeting Minutes

The Commission was presented with an Update on Implementation of Waimea Watershed Agreement, Waimea, Kauai. No briefing materials were prepared, but testimony was submitted.

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Briefing C2: Update on Implementation of Waimea Watershed Agreement, Waimea, Kauai
  Testimony
• Commission Meeting Minutes

The Commission was presented with an Update on Implementation of Waimea Watershed Agreement, Waimea, Kauai.

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Briefing C2: Update on Implementation of Waimea Watershed Agreement, Waimea, Kauai [20.0 MB]
• Commission Meeting Minutes

The Commission was presented with two submittals for approval of a Stream Channel Alteration Permit and a Stream Diversion Works Permit by Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative.

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Submittal B1: Approval of Stream Channel Alteration Permit Application (SCAP.6002.2) and Special Conditions, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Kōkeʻe Ditch Diversion Modifications and Installation of Monitoring Stations at Waiakōali (Div. 620), Kauaikinana (Div. 607), and Kōke‘e (Div. 622) Streams, in Accordance with the Mediation Agreement for the Waimea Watershed Area dated April 18, 2017, Waiakōali, Kauaikinana, Kōkeʻe Streams, Waimea, Kauaʻi TMK: (4) 1-4-001:003 and 013
  Testimony
• Submittal B2: Approval of Stream Diversion Works Permit Application (SDWP.6001.2) and Special Conditions, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Kōkeʻe Ditch Diversion Modifications at Waiakōali (Div. 620), Kawaikōī (Div. 616), and Kōke‘e (Div. 622) Streams, in Accordance with the Mediation Agreement for the Waimea Watershed Area dated April 18, 2017, Waiakōali, Kawaikōī, Kōkeʻe Streams, Waimea, Kaua‘i, TMK: (4)  1-4-001:003 and 013
  Testimony
• Commission Meeting Minutes

Commission staff and mediation parties presented an update on the implementation of the mediation agreement.

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Briefing C2: Update on the Mediation Agreement for the Waimea Watershed Area, dated and signed April 18, 2017 (re: Pō‘ai Wai Ola/West Kaua‘i Watershed Alliance’s Combined Petition to Amend the Interim Instream Flow Standards for Waimea River and its Headwaters and Tributaries, and the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste, for Waimea, Island of Kaua‘i, State of Hawai‘i)
• Commission Meeting Minutes

The Commission hosted a Community Presentation on USGS Stream Gaging, Waimea, Kauai, featuring the USGS’ Pacific Islands Water Science Center’s Acting Assistant Director for Hydrologic Data, Madison May.

Commission staff and mediation parties presented an update on the implementation of the mediation agreement.

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Briefing C1: Update on the Mediation Agreement for the Waimea Watershed Area, dated and signed April 18, 2017 (re: Pō‘ai Wai Ola/West Kaua‘i Watershed Alliance’s Combined Petition to Amend the Interim Instream Flow Standards for Waimea River and its Headwaters and Tributaries, and the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste, for Waimea, Island of Kaua‘i, State of Hawai‘i)
• Commission Meeting Minutes

Commission staff prepared a Fact Sheet on the Waimea Watershed Agreement.

• FS-2020-03: Surface Water Monitoring: Waimea Watershed Agreement

The Commission approved a mediated settlement today that will immediately restore continuous flows in the Waimea River, as well as provide the opportunity for a renewable energy project, water for Hawaiian homesteading, and farming.

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Commission Meeting Minutes
• Mediation Agreement for the Waimea Watershed Area
• News Release

The Commission was provided an update on the Mediation for the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste Filed by Poʻai Wai Ola and West Kauaʻi Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice)

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Commission Meeting Minutes

The Division of Aquatic Resources, in collaboration with Parham & Associates Environmental Consulting, LLC, completed a Project Report for Waimea River.

• Impacts of Water Releases on Stream Habitat and Stream Biota of Waimea River, Kauai using the High Definition Stream Survey (HDSS) and High Definition Fish Survey (HDFS) Techniques

The Commission was provided an update on the Mediation for the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste Filed by Poʻai Wai Ola and West Kauaʻi Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice).

• Commission Meeting Agenda
• Commission Meeting Minutes

Report prepared by Element Environmental, LLC for the Commission on the Investigation of Kōke‘e and Kekaha Ditch Irrigation Systems, Waimea, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.

Commission staff prepared a draft Instream Flow Standard Assessment Report for Waimea.  The report was completed in 2016 but was not made available to the public or parties at the time due to mediation efforts.  The report was posted here in October 2021.

• Waimea (Hydro Unit 2060, PR-2016-08) (26.3 MB)

The Commission approved the Terms of Reference for Mediation of the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste Filed by Po’ai Wai Ola and West Kaua’i Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice).

• View the Staff Submittal

The Commission authorizes the Chairperson to Hire a Mediator for the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste Filed by Po’ai Wai Ola and West Kaua’i Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice).

• View the Staff Submittal

Video Album of the Limited Meeting of the Commission on Water Resource Management, Sites #10 to #14.

Video Album of the Limited Meeting of the Commission on Water Resource Management, Sites #1 to #8.

The Commission requested information from Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) and Kekaha Agricultural Association (KAA) regarding and related to water use from the Kokee and Kekaha Ditch Irrigation Systems.

• May 11, 2015: Letter from the Commission to ADC and KAA
• July 10, 2015: Response from ADC
• July 10, 2015: Response from KAA
• July 17, 2015: Supplemental Response from KAA

The Commission had briefings by the Kekaha Agriculture Association (KAA) and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC).

• Kekaha Agriculture Association: Overview of Ditch Systems and Agricultural Infrastructure
• Kauai Island Utility Cooperative: KIUC Pumped Storage

The Commission held a limited meeting to conduct a site visit of the Kokee and Kekaha Ditch Irrigation Systems.

• Agenda
• Submittal A: Authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to Conduct a Limited Meeting to View Portions of the Kokee and Kekaha Ditch Irrigation Systems in Waimea, Hawaii

 Video Album of:

• Commission Meeting at the Waimea Neighbohrood Center
• Limited Meeting Sites #1 to #7
• Limited Meeting Site #8, Public Testimony at Waimea Neighborhood Center.

Presentation on Measurement of Ditch Flow Diversion and Water Loss/Distribution in Kekaha and Kokee Systems, by Steve Spengler, Element Environmental.

Staff Submittal to the Commission: Delegation of Authority to the Chairperson to Appoint an Investigator, Po‘ai Wai Ola and West Kaua‘i Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice) 1) Complaint for Dispute Resolution; 2) Petition to Amend Interim Instream Flow Standard; and 3) Complaint for Declaratory Order Against Waste in Waimea River and its Tributaries, Waimea, Kauai.

Po’ai Wai Ola and West Kaua’i Alliance, through their attorneys Earthjustice, filed: 1) a Complaint for Dispute Resolution: 2) a Petition to Amend Interim Instream Flow Standard; and 3) a Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste.