Legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) responds to the immediate need for drought relief as well as the long-term water supply needs of Hawaii's farmers. The Hawaii Water Resources Reclamation Act (S. 1694) authorizes temporary drought measures, including wells for irrigation, to minimize damage and losses on farms and ranches.
"Neighbor Island farmers are in the midst of a prolonged drought, with some areas experiencing water shortages for as long as four years," said Akaka. "Farmers urgently need the assistance this legislation will provide."
To provide long-term relief, S. 1694 directs the Federal government to survey irrigation and water delivery systems in Hawaii, identify the cost of rehabilitating the systems, and evaluate demand for future use. The study would also identify new opportunities to reclaim and recycle water and wastewater for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes.
"The past decade has been especially challenging for agriculture in our state," Akaka said. "Sugar has declined dramatically, from 180,000 acres of cane in 1989 to 60,000 acres today, and with this decline has come tremendous economic disruption. 120,000 acres represents more than 45 percent of our cultivated farm land.
"The face of Hawaii agriculture is changing. During the past decade, most of our sugar plantations closed their doors. Today, many rural communities in Hawaii are struggling to define new roles in an era when sugar is no longer the king of crops. We have entered a period of rebirth. A new foundation for agriculture is being established.
"Diversified agriculture has become a bright spot in our economy. Farm receipts from diversified crops rose an average of 5.5 percent annually for the past three years, surpassing the $300 million mark for the first time. Hawaii still grows sugarcane, but diversified farming represents the future of Hawaii agriculture."
Most of Hawaii's irrigation ditches are in disrepair. Some have been abandoned. Those that no longer irrigate cane lands may not effectively serve the new generation of Hawaii farmers, either because little or no water reaches new farms or because the ditches have not been repaired or maintained. Access to water has become the challenge for a new generation that farms diversified agriculture.
"This legislation will allow us to decide which ditch systems should be repaired or improved, and which should be abandoned," Akaka noted. "The changing face of Hawaii agriculture may justify entirely new systems or new components being added to existing ditches.
"Because my bill emphasizes water recycling and reuse, the report will identify opportunities to improve water conservation, enhance stream flows, improve fish and wildlife habitat, and rebuilding groundwater supplies. These important objectives will help ensure that any legislative response to the Bureau's report is ecologically appropriate.
"S. 1694 requires adherence to sound environmental principles. Those who care for Hawaii's rivers and streams, as I do, believe that water resource development should not adversely affect fresh water resources and the ecosystems that depend upon them. Hawaii's rivers support a number of rare native species that rely on undisturbed habitat."
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, on which Senator Akaka serves, has scheduled a hearing on the Hawaii Water Resources Reclamation Act for October 20.
