Mayor proposes $6M purchase of 2 West Maui water systems

News admin July 2, 2026 0 Comments

Mayor proposes $6M purchase of 2 West Maui water systems

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In an effort to mitigate Maui’s long-running water woes and create more housing, Mayor Richard Bissen announced a plan Wednesday to buy two West Maui water systems.

The plantation-era infrastructure — including wells, reservoirs, and about 19 miles of pipeline — would cost $6 million.

“I think this is what our community wants, and I think this is a step in the right direction,” Bissen said.

Currently owned by the Launiupoko Water and Olowalu Water companies, the assets serve neighborhoods and farms south of Lahaina.

If approved with another recently announced water deal with Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Bissen said his plan would increase public stewardship of water systems in West Maui from 25% to 65%.

Bissen also noted there is money in the county’s budget to buy the systems, adding, “so the timing will also work out.”

After dealing with water challenges for years while sharing the limited resource with high-end resorts and golf courses, West Maui farmer Eddy Garcia backed Bissen’s idea.

“I think that’s really a good thing because to put the water in the hands of the people is something we’ve been striving for many years,” Garcia said.

However, Garcia fears the system will cost the county more than $6 million.

“They probably need to stick tens of millions of dollars into fixing the system that really hasn’t been taken care of. Just a massive lack of maintenance, negligence. Things are broken down. They have it in the water commission trying to raise the price by like 600%, yet all the infrastructure is broken,” Garcia said.

Others wondered whether traditional farmers, who depend on stream water, will have their needs met.

“Honestly, whether it’s private or political, you know, county. Whoever it is that does acquire this utility company, I really think it’s gonna take time to establish that relationship and trust,” West Maui resident Lauren Palakiko said.

In response to Garcia and Palakiko’s concerns, Maui County Department of Water Supply deputy director James Landgraf said, “The County conducted extensive due diligence, including a comprehensive evaluation of the water systems and an independent appraisal of the assets. While some maintenance is anticipated, as with any public water system, no major deficiencies or concerns were identified during the County’s review. The County is confident this acquisition is a sound long-term investment that will help ensure safe, reliable water service under public stewardship.”

Bissen believes the purchase will finally provide water needed for housing projects, and for firefighting, in a community still recovering from the 2023 wildfires.

“If all of this works out the way we are hoping it will, it’ll all be connected so that we can better respond to emergencies as well, because we’ll have that available,” Bissen said.

The Maui County Council has to vote on the plan, and will discuss it, as well as the Maui Land and Pineapple agreement, later this month.

“So we know, you know, the details, the nuance, what the county is hoping to exchange for the water systems and how they plan to manage and maintain the water systems so that we’re in full compliance and give a good service to the end users,” council member Tamara Paltin, who represents West Maui, said.

A representative for the water companies told HNN in a statement, “Launiupoko Water and Olowalu Water companies support the transfer of privately held utilities to the County’s Department of Water Supply and have been working with the County in their review of the systems for the potential transfer.”