West Maui Water Reuse Readiness Workshop

In early April, the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) conducted a Water Reuse Readiness Workshop, hosted by the Honua Kai Resort & Spa in Ka’anapali. 

The workshop’s purpose was to introduce the West Maui resort community to CORAL’s project to assist the resorts in the Ka’anapali region in planning for and transitioning to using reclaimed water when it becomes available, and to introduce the County’s plans for R1 expansion. CORAL’s project is supported by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, and the Hawaii Community Foundation. 

The workshop was attended by a great group of resort managers, engineers, landscapers and others representing Ka‘anapali Villas, International Colony Club, Honua Kai Resort & Spa, Ka‘anapali Alii, Ka‘anapali Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa, The Whaler, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Whaler’s Village, Maui Eldorado, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Ka‘anapali North Beach Master Association, Ka’anapali Operations Association, SGS Hawaii Landscaping, Advance Landscape & Tree Service, Sustainable Resources Group International, Inc., University of Hawaii Sustainable Science Management program, and the West Maui Taxpayers Association.

The workshop began with a tour of the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility, led by Steve Parabicoli, Maui County Wastewater Operations Program Superintendent and in partnership with the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association’s Engineers Advisory Council. The group appreciated this opportunity to learn more about the wastewater reclamation process and see it in action firsthand. 

Back at the Honua Kai, Resort Manager Lance Gilliland welcomed the group and provided an overview of the resort’s experience with R1 water, and other sustainability initiatives underway at the Honua Kai.

 

Afterwards, CORAL Hawai‘i Field Manager Liz Foote gave a presentation introducing the project, and the background and context as it relates to coral reef health. Robin Knox of Water Quality Consulting, Inc. also presented some recent Department of Health water quality monitoring data for the Ka’anapali region. You can download a pdf of the presentation here.

This is the result of the 2012 Water Quality Assessment by Hawaii Department of Health (DOH).  The DOH monitors water quality for Total Nitrogen (TN), Nitrite-Nitrate Nitrogen (NO2-NO3), Total Phosphorus (TP), Turbidity (turb), chlorophyll A (Chl-A), Ammonia (NH3) nitrogen and Enterococcus (Ent) bacteria.  An A indicates that the water quality standards are attained (goals are met).  N means standards are not being attained and the goals (fishable swimmable waters ) are not being met. “?” Means there is not enough data to assess whether the water quality goals are met.

The main event, however, was Steve Parabicoli’s presentation on the County’s plans to expand the distribution system for reclaimed water, and the technical aspects that relate to the resorts such as the permitting requirements, retrofitting, and landscaping. While there are costs associated with the permitting, retrofitting, and changes in landscaping practices that will accompany the transition to R1 water, Steve explained that in the long run, resorts will come out ahead due to the much cheaper cost for R1 than potable water. Attendees were excited to learn that the County has a “cost to retrofit” rule on the books, whereby the resorts will receive a 50% reduction in the price of the R-1 water until all their retrofitting costs are recovered. For those that missed it or want a refresher, Steve’s presentation is available for viewing on YouTube here and you can also download a pdf of the slides here.

 

After a delicious lunch generously donated by the Honua Kai, we conducted a “needs and expertise carousel” activity, where we broke out into groups and started examining properties’ needs and their questions about the key issues ­– the permitting process, landscaping irrigation, nutrient management, and plants, as well as other issues such as signage and equipment. In addition, there was a station dedicated to the water use survey currently underway with West Maui resorts. Guidance on landscaping was provided by those with experience with R1 water, namely SGS Landscaping and the Ka’anapali Operations Association teams, who are responsible for the Honua Kai and the Ka’anapali Golf Course, respectively. Steve Parabicoli also answered questions about the permitting process.

 

The final presentation of the day was by Tova Callender, West Maui Watershed & Coastal Management Coordinator and NFWF's Consultant to coordinate the activities of the Coral Reef Task Force in West Maui. Tova shared about the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative, an “all-encompassing approach across multiple agencies and organizations to address adverse impacts to coral reefs in West Maui.” She also noted some things that the resorts can to do support the efforts of the R2R, such as involving hotel staff in volunteer and educational opportunities, and helping to sponsor upcoming events. You can download a pdf of Tova’s presentation here.

 

As a follow up from this workshop and the water use survey we’re in the process of administering, CORAL is developing a resource guide for the West Maui resort and condominium properties to compile the key information and provide ecological context along with guidance on the technical aspects of the transition to R1 use as well as general water conservation strategies.

Mahalo to everyone who made the Water Reuse Readiness Workshop a success!