HI HB905

Requires the University of Hawaii, in consultation with the commission on water resource management, to develop a scope of work and cost analysis for a flexible groundwater model.

The groundwater model must propose methods for determining the needs of traditional and customary Native Hawaiian practices, climate change projections, and groundwater dependent ecosystems.

University of Hawaii must submit a report with findings, recommendations, scope of work, costs, and any proposed legislation to the legislature by November 1, 2023.

Addresses groundwater management concerns related to saltwater intrusion, freshwater recharge uncertainties, and limitations of current analytical models used to estimate sustainable yield.