Wrong Mountain and Ahupuaa

SUBHEAD: More meetings on Kahili Horizontal Directional-Drilled Well & Energy Project.

By Hope Kallai on 20 May 2013 In Island Breath -
(http://islandbreath.blogspot.com/2013/05/wrong-mountain-and-ahupuaa.html)


Image above: Kahili Mountain Park. From (http://www.kahilipark.org/).

Oops! We really didn't mean Waialeale!

Really?

We meant Kahili Mountain"

So says the Kauai Department of Water.

Technical errors made the head of the department, David Craddick, leave the meeting before anybody realized that they were talking about the wrong mountain, the wrong ahupua`a, with the wrong potential impacts.

The Department of Water has scheduled another round of meetings to better explain this proposed project.  It is unclear whether the past meetings with misinformation provided by Kauai DOW should count as part of public testimony and comments.

However, according to the Department of Water website the EIS Preparation Notice comment period is closed but we still would welcome and appreciate all suggestions and comments.

Nobody wants high water pump costs.  Nobody wants to drink poisoned water. We should take a hard look at how we use our water and why it is toxic.  Drilling deeper to escape the poisons makes no sense if you continue to poison the water source.

This proposal will impact everybody on this island, now and in the future.  Your involvement is important.

Kauai DOW Press Release

By Joy Buccat, DOW Public Relations Specialist on 15 May 2013 -

The Department of Water (DOW) announced that it will hold public informational meetings around the island to discuss the Kahili Horizontal Directional-Drilled (HDD) Well & Energy Savings Project.

Interested community members that would like to learn more about the proposed project, that seeks to reduce power costs by not requiring electricity for the production and distribution of potable water, are welcome. Anyone with other water related concerns are also encouraged to attend a meeting in their community.

The meetings will be held as follows:

WHEN & WHERE:
Tuesday, May 28th, Hanalei Elementary School Cafeteria, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 29th, Lihue Neighborhood Center, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 30th, Koloa Neighborhood Center, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Friday, May 31th, Kilauea Neighborhood Center, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 5th, Kapaa Neighborhood Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Additional meetings in the Kekaha, Hanapēpē and Kalāheo areas will be announced as soon as the details have been finalized.

CONTACT:
Joy Buccat, public relations specialist
Phone: 245-5461    Fax: 246-8628
Email: jbuccat@kauaiwater.org


The electricity used by DOW for pumping and overall water treatment amounts to roughly $2.5 million annually in the Lihue-Kapaa system.

According to DOW’s Manager and Chief Engineer David Craddick, “a high-level well would not only eliminate the need for pumping, and therefore reduce our energy costs, but would also provide water that will not require the extensive treatment we now pay for.”

Both of these costs are predicted to rise significantly in the future. “The DOW believes this project reflects our mission to provide safe, affordable, and sufficient drinking water to our customers.”

If a higher-level source of clean water could be tapped, DOW may be able to close existing vertical wells and surface water treatment facilities that require expensive electrical power for pumping.

• Auxiliary aids and services at DOW meetings are available upon request. A request for reasonable accommodations should be made no later than five working days prior to the needed accommodations. Please call the department at 245-5408 for assistance.

See also:
Ea O Ka Aina: No to Horizontal Drilling 4/11/13


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