The bill proposes amendments to existing statutes including Section 174C-2 and Section 185-1.5 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, clarifying that fire safety use falls under beneficial uses of water. By establishing that water can be utilized for fire safety, this legislation encourages better collaboration among the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, counties, and reservoir owners. These stakeholders will be tasked with developing specific protocols and agreements to enable the emergency use of reservoir waters for fire prevention and control, aligning state emergency management strategies with local needs.
SB2355, introduced to the Hawaii Legislature, addresses the critical need for effective water management in the context of fire safety. Following the devastating wildfires in West Maui in 2019, which led to significant land destruction, this bill aims to specifically include fire safety as a beneficial use of water within the state's water code. This legislative effort underscores the importance of ready access to freshwater resources for firefighting purposes, which is deemed crucial for enhancing the state’s response to wildfires. The bill's core intention is that adequate water stored in reservoirs could mitigate the impacts of future wildfires, making community safety a priority.
While the bill aims to enhance fire safety and resource allocation, it highlights potential points of contention, particularly regarding water rights and usage priorities. The amendments stress the need for balancing fire safety demands with traditional and customary Hawaiian rights, which may lead to debates surrounding the management of natural resources versus community priorities. Ensuring that fire safety does not overtake the ecological and cultural significance of water resources will be crucial as the bill moves forward in the legislative process.