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Bill

HB 1989

RELATING TO WATER RETENTION.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 15 co-sponsors

Hawaii HB 1989 proposes water retention measures to address the state's freshwater management needs, balancing agricultural, residential, and environmental water access priorities.

The committee(s) on HED recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
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Bill Summary · HB 1989

Legislative bill overview

HB 1989 addresses water retention policies in Hawaii, though the specific provisions are not detailed in the available legislative record. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the House Education (HED) and Finance (FIN) committees, where it was deferred in early February.

Why this is important

Water management is critical for Hawaii's sustainability, agriculture, and public health. Given Hawaii's geographic isolation and limited freshwater resources, retention policies directly affect food security, environmental conservation, and residential water availability across the islands.

Potential points of contention

  • Agricultural vs. residential water allocation – Competing interests between preserving traditional Hawaiian agriculture and meeting growing residential demands
  • Environmental and cultural concerns – Potential impacts on native ecosystems, stream flows, and Native Hawaiian water rights and cultural practices
  • Implementation costs – Financing requirements for new infrastructure or policy enforcement mechanisms that may burden municipalities or taxpayers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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