Hawaii Senate Bill SB521

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/21/25
• Refer: 1/27/25

Caption

Relating To Access To Water On Hawaiian Home Lands.

Summary

SB521 would add a new section to Hawaii’s water code requiring the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to work with the appropriate county board or department of water supply to provide access to both potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian home lands. The measure is aimed at improving water availability for residents and land uses on Hawaiian home lands, including drinking water and water for farming or other agricultural purposes. The bill also requires that any agreement reached between DHHL and the relevant county water authority be made available to the public. In effect, the bill creates a statutory expectation of coordination between state and county entities while adding a transparency requirement for any resulting water-access agreements.

Impact

If enacted, SB521 would amend chapter 174C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by creating a new statutory duty for DHHL to coordinate with county water boards or departments to secure access to potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian home lands. It would not itself allocate water or set technical water standards, but it would formalize intergovernmental cooperation and make related agreements publicly accessible, affecting DHHL, county water agencies, and beneficiaries of Hawaiian home lands.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the limited available context, the measure appears generally supportive and facilitative rather than controversial. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes showing opposition or amendments, and the bill’s purpose is framed as improving access to essential water resources for Hawaiian home lands. The transparency requirement suggests an emphasis on accountability and public oversight, which may also be viewed favorably.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of debate, if the bill were discussed, could include the scope of DHHL’s obligation to negotiate with county water authorities, the practical availability of potable and agricultural water, and whether public disclosure of agreements could affect negotiations or operational flexibility. However, no particular stakeholder positions or objections are reflected in the available record.