November 10, 2021

Committee – Energy and Natural Resources

Author/Sponsor – Mazie Hirono

HAWAII WATER SUPPLY BILL

Section 1:

For tourists, Hawaii during the summer of 2021 was perfect. The locals, however, had a huge problem. Drought conditions led to a declared water shortage in the Maui County archipelago. Residents were charged with a $500 dollar fine for using water for nonessential activities such as watering plants or the lawn outside their house. Because of climate change, drought have become more common in Hawaii, and these water restrictions have led some residents to be angry. Residents are being treated like second-class citizens; their water is being cut off as the consumption of water by hotels and tourism remains unchecked. The root causes of this water shortage and outrage are climate change, capitalist interest, and extractive economics.

Section 2:

The Hawaii islands’ economy relies heavily on tourism, but also agriculture/farming. This is one of the huge reasons why residents are in fury. However, the Maui County officials have said that this water shortage is not linked to an excessive spike in tourism. The Maui County water supply director Jeff Pearson says that the system that supplies the water is not the same as those that service resorts and hotels. Those who were angry also blamed covid-19 as there were roughly 1,900 tourists in 2020, but in 2021 there were more than 260,000 people who visited Maui.

Conclusion:

The residents of Hawaii should not be the only people conserving water to help prevent the shortage from getting worse. Resort and hotel water suppliers also need to conserve water. The fine that which residents would receive if they unnecessarily used water should also apply to resorts and hotels; capitalist interest and the need for over-tourism should not give hotels and resorts a pass in this sort of situation. Therefore, any water conservation regulations put on locals, should also be put on hotels and resorts such as the $500 fine.