WATER BOARD, COUNTY OF HAWAI’I
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Water Board of the County of Hawai’i will hold a public hearing at the Department of Water Supply, Hilo Operations, 889 Leilani Street, Hilo, Hawai’i, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 9:45 a.m. for the following purposes:
Pursuant to Chapter 54, Part III, and 91-3, Hawai’i Revised Statutes, the hearing will be for the purpose of hearing views and comments of all persons interested in the proposed changes to the Department of Water Supply’s Rules and Regulations. The proposed changes include Rule 3, Section 3-29, Agricultural Use Rates.
A copy of the proposed amendments to the Rules and Regulations is available for mailing at no cost to any interested person who requests a copy by contacting the Board Secretary at 808-961-8050. The proposed Rule amendments are also posted on the Department of Water Supply’s website at http://www.hawaiidws.org under the Water Board tab.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The purpose of the public hearing is to afford all interested persons a reasonable opportunity to provide comments on the department’s proposed changes. Comments may be presented orally at the public hearing or submitted to the Chairperson in writing by email (dws@hawaiidws.org), fax (808 961-8657), or by mail: 345 Kekuanao’a Street, Suite 20, Hilo, HI 96720. All testimony, regardless of time of receipt, will be part of the permanent record.
Remote Oral Testimony:
Telephone testimony may be presented by calling 1 (669) 254-5252 and entering meeting ID 160 850 4962.
The Chair will unmute testifiers who call in, one phone number at a time.
Optional Alternative to Present Remote Oral Testimony:
If you would like to testify via an online video link, please email dws@hawaiidws.org at least 24 hours before the meeting to request the link. You may also email to pre-register to present telephone testimony if you wish to be called on by name or before those who have not pre-registered. Testifiers who wish to remain anonymous or have not pre-registered may still call the testimony phone number and follow the instructions listed above.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Information about all the board’s public hearings are available at https://www.hawaiidws.org/board-meetings/. General information about the board is available at https://www.hawaiidws.org/about-the-water-board/.
In the event the online remote connection is interrupted during the public hearing, the hearing shall recess for up to 30 minutes to allow for reestablishing the online remote connections. If the online remote connection cannot be reestablished after 30 minutes, the hearing shall be adjourned and then reconvene per the following contingency plans:
Board shall reconvene on: October 28, 2026, 9:45 a.m.
Board shall reconvene at: DWS, Hilo Operations, 889 Leilani Street, Hilo, Hawai’i
REMOTE MEETING LIVE STREAM:
https://www.facebook.com/HawaiiDWS/live_videos/
If accommodation or auxiliary aid and/or services (i.e., sign language, interpreter, large print) to participate in the hearing is required, please call (808) 961-8050.
Dated at Hilo, Hawai’i, this 25th day of August, 2026.
WATER BOARD OF THE
COUNTY OF HAWAI’I
By: Michael Kekela Jr.
Its Chairperson
The Department of Water Supply is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer.
Posted on the Internet at:
www.hawaiidws.org
(WHT1539449 9/25/26)
