Hawaii First Water

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We are concerned about the diminishing supplies of fresh water in the Hawaiian islands and the impact it will have on our future generations, particularly our keiki. With our analysis and research we are driving for solutions today.

Learn what we are doing and why it matters

Rainfall & Drought

 Climate change has brought about a change in rainfall patterns which is generally decreasing rain in formerly dry areas and increasing rainfall in the wet areas. We need to find ways to take advantage of these new patterns by capturing more of the rainfall and diverting it to the dryer areas.

Rainfall Issues

The Aquifers

 Much of Hawaii's pristine fresh water comes from its volcanic stone aquifers. The increasing demands for water from Hawaii's increased population and tourist industry, combined with rising ocean levels have shrunk the supply of fresh water in the aquifers, particularly on Oahu.

Groundwater Issues

Rivers & Streams

 The flow of fresh water streams and rivers in Hawaii have also significantly declined. At the same time, shrinking government funding has curtailed stream level tests and sampling so the decline is uncharted.

Rivers & Streams Issues

Water Conservation

 Water conservation is the key to preserving Hawaii's dwindling freshwater supply. Many mainland cities have successfully used new methods of conservation as part of their future water plans. Water rates need to be utilized which encourage users that are conserving water at the same time as punishing water wasters.

Conservation Issues

News & Research

Hawaii Water Rights Bibliography

Filed Under: Streams and Rivers, Water Economics, Water Rights

(Updated Feb 2019) This bibliography was compiled by Shavonn Matsuda for LIS 687, Spring 2012, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. This bibliography has been developed to support research on surface water rights in Hawai‘i, focusing particularly on works that detail the history and development of Hawaiian water rights.  The intended audience are landowners, in Hawai‘i, seeking to understand … Read More...

Supreme Court to decide if Clean Water Act limits Hawaii’s underground wastewater dumping

Filed Under: Groundwater, Water Contamination, Water Economics, Water Pollution

By David Savage, Feb 2019, LA TIMES: The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to decide whether the Clean Water Act can prevent sewage plants from putting waste water into the ground if it flows from there into a river, bay or the ocean. The case from Hawaii is an important test of the reach of the federal government’s anti-pollution authority. Environmentalists sued alleging a sewage … Read More...

Ag tech and resource management offer opportunities for Hawaii-Israel collaboration

Filed Under: Groundwater

14 Dec, West Hawaii Today. When it comes to agricultural technology and resource management, Hawaii is finding a partner in collaboration nearly halfway around the world. “There’s so much good that can come out of a collaboration between Israel and Hawaii,” said Eitan Weiss, deputy chief of mission at the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. Weiss was on Hawaii Island for the Western … Read More...

Clouds and rain over Oahu Hawaii

Pearl Harbor Study: Integration of aerial infrared thermography and in situ radon‐222 to investigate submarine groundwater discharge to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, USA

Filed Under: Groundwater, Streams and Rivers, Water Technologies

Abstract Jacque L. Kelly Henrietta Dulai Craig R. Glenn Paul G. Lucey October: The largest freshwater spring complex in the Hawaiian Islands discharges groundwater into Pearl Harbor, Oahu, which is the largest estuary in the islands. This discharge occurs as subaerial and submarine springs, as non‐point‐source (diffuse) seepage, and as baseflow to streams. We conducted airborne thermal … Read More...