Honolulu water system upgrades require substantial fund increase

Honolulu Board of Water Supply manager Wayne Hashiro reportedly told the Oahu's Public Works and Sustainability Committee that renovations and upgrades to the city's aging water infrastructure would require between $200 and $300 million in annual funding beginning by 2026.

According to reports, Hashiro said the amount of pressurized water main leaks occurring because of the water system's old age is becoming costly. Reportedly, he suggested a water rate increase to begin funding future water projects.

However, some officials stated they were leery of implementing such a bill hike. "We're extremely concerned about keeping the burden on the rate payers, on the people of Honolulu, as minimal as possible," committee chairman Stanley Chang told KHON-TV. Council member Ann Kobayashi said that with sewer system and rail line upgrades needed in the near future, as well, she too is concerned with raising water rates.

In addition to water, sewer and rail projects in Oahu, the city is reportedly being considered for the site of a proposed $1 billion wind farm project. According to the Hawaii Island Journal, wind turbines would be placed along a section of coastline in the county to provide renewable energy for part of the island.