Statement on Central Maui Stage 1 Water Shortage and Restrictions

Carol Lee Kamekona statement on Central Maui Stage 1 Water Shortage and Restrictions

Carol Lee Kamekona Calls for Immediate Action on Water Restrictions Amid Stage 1 Water Shortage Announcement

“Today, the County of Maui announced a Stage 1 Water Shortage, a stark reminder of the urgent need for stronger water management policies in our community. As your candidate for Maui County Council, I have been vocal about the need for bold, immediate action to ensure a sustainable water future for all residents.

At a recent Kihei Community Association candidate forum, I shared my proposal to implement water usage restrictions for resorts and hotels, capping their consumption to no more than 4,000 gallons per acre—an approach similar to what has been successful on Oʻahu. For example, the Grand Wailea currently uses 680,000 gallons of water per day, and under my proposal, this would be reduced to 160,000 gallons per day. This shift would result in over 500,000 gallons of water saved daily at this one resort alone, protecting our most precious resource for the future.

The County of Maui currently has no restrictions in place for water usage—a situation that is no longer acceptable. Our community is at a critical juncture, and we must take proactive measures to safeguard our water supply for future generations. I also support a comprehensive countywide study of our aquifers and groundwater before any further development increases water usage. Not one more drop should be wasted while we still lack a full understanding of the state of our water resources.

Sustainable solutions like investing in recycled and reclaimed water are essential to reducing waste and regenerating our water supply, but it will require a serious commitment and investment from the County.

The time to act is now. As your next County Councilor, I will prioritize responsible water management policies that put our community, environment, and future generations first.”