STAND. COM. REP. NO. 949

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1541

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to pay off the bond debt service on the Waiahole water system and repair the adit 8 tunnel of the Waiahole water system.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Bayer, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation, Larry Jefts Farms, LLC, and Ulupono Initiative.

Your Committee finds that the Waiahole water system serves land in central and leeward Oahu, much of which is in agricultural use, provides employment, and contributes to the state economy. Your Committee notes that although Waiahole water system users have decreased their water usage through adoption of efficiency measures, the cost of water remains high to offset debt service payments. This increased cost is passed along to consumers through higher food prices. Your Committee further finds that deferred maintenance threatens the functioning of the Waiahole water system; particularly urgent are repairs to the adit 8 tunnel through which all water in the system passes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1541, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair