Water & Ocean
Fresh water in Hawaii is a public trust resource managed by the Commission on Water Resource Management, which sets instream flow standards and issues permits for groundwater withdrawal. County water boards — including the Honolulu Board of Water Supply — manage municipal systems, set rates, and plan for drought resilience. Aquifer protection decisions, irrigation diversions, and infrastructure investments affect farmers, homeowners, and ecosystems alike, and all pass through public processes with formal comment periods.