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
Red Hill Crisis Underscores Water Insecurity In Hawaii
(LK comment: Jacob is right on… In addition to conservation and reuse, Hawaii needs to begin to think about a Desal pilot program just in case. The price of Desal has significantly decreased and we have seen what one Red Hill situation can cause and we have not seen the end of this crisis.) April 2022, Civil Beat Opinion Jacob Wiencek: Late last year a devastating water crisis hit Hawaii as … Read More...
Navy will comply with state order to remove fuel from Red Hill
January, Hawaii Public Radio | By Associated Press, Sophia McCullough The U.S. Navy will comply with Hawaiʻi's order to remove fuel from a massive underground storage tank facility near Pearl Harbor blamed for contaminating drinking water, officials said Tuesday. The Navy is making preparations to defuel the facility, Rear Adm. Blake Converse said during a U.S. House Armed Services … Read More...
How The Red Hill Fuel System Has Threatened Oahu’s Drinking Water For Decades
12 December, Civil Beat, Christina Jedra: (Comment: This is a good historical summary of the Red Hill history) As Oahu residents reel from the news that military families’ drinking water was contaminated with petroleum, and that water for the broader community is also at risk, scrutiny of the nearby Navy’s fuel facility is intensifying. But the crisis is not a surprise to many residents, … Read More...
Navy ‘confident’ that it’s found source of fuel leak into water system, but lawmakers are skeptical
10 December HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Samples collected by the state Health Department earlier this month at the Navy’s Red Hill water shaft found petroleum levels 66 to 350 times higher than the limits considered safe for drinking water, the state announced Friday. The results were the latest worrisome development in the contaminated water crisis, which has left dozens sick, displaced at least … Read More...