BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY
COUNTY OF MAUI, STATE OF HAWAII
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2006
REGULAR MEETING
Council Committee Room
7th Floor, Kalana O Maui Building
Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii,
Reported by: Katherine Eismann, RDR, CRR, CSR #439
APPEARANCES
Chairperson: MICHAEL VICTORINO
Vice Chairman: KENNETH OKAMURA
Board Members: KENT M. HIRANAGA
STACY HELM CRIVELLO
GINNY PARSONS
CARL M. HOLMBERG
Director: GEORGE TENGAN
Deputy Director: ERIC H. YAMASHIGE
Board Secretary: MICHELE SAKUMA
Staff: ELLEN KRAFTSOW
HOLLY PERDIDO
ALVA NAKAMURA
CARI SUMABAT
JOE MENDONCA
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Richard Brush
(Thursday, March 23, 2006, 9:10 a.m.)
* * * * *
(Boardmember Helm Crivello arrived late.)
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Present today, Member Carl
Holmberg, Member Kent Hiranaga, Member Ginny Parsons,
Vice-Chair Kent Okamura, and myself, the Chair, Michael
Victorino.
Also present is our Director, Mr. George Tengan,
also our Deputy Director, Eric Yamashige is here, and we have
a number of Department people out there that later on we will
call upon.
Announcements, we will take a break around
10:00 or a little after 10:00. Mr. Tengan has to leave to
take care of a medical procedure. And, so, you know, we will
take a break at that point.
And also, Members Helm Crivello and Hiranaga has
also been very generous in bringing some refreshments today.
So, we'll adjourn around -- we will take a quick break,
recess, I should say, about 10:00 or a little after 10:00,
yeah?
Moving right along, any other announcements?
Okay. Then moving along, we will go to approval
of minutes. We have the minutes from the January 24th, 2006,
Joint Workshop with us and the Planning Commission. Also, we
have the regular meeting of January 27, 2006, and the regular
minute meetings from February 23rd, 2006.
We can go piecemeal, or we can lump them all
together. It's your call. It's your call as far as approval
of the minutes.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: I have one correction. May
I borrow yours for a second? Thanks.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Which specific one,
Ms. Parsons, are you referring to?
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Let me find it real quick.
On page 54.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: This is the Regular Board
1Meeting?
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Yeah. Just let me find it
1real quick. Go ahead and do what you are going to do, and
1then I will find it.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I move to approve all
1three minutes with the stipulation that we have 30 days to
1make any corrections.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. It's been moved. Do
we have second?
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Second, and I will e-mail
you a change. It's just one word.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Any discussion on the
minutes? Sensing none, all those in favor of approving the
minutes, with the 30-day review stipulation included, signify
saying aye.
(Chorus of ayes.)
Opposed?
(Silence.)
Okay. Motion carries. All right.
Moving right along, public testimony. Do we have
anyone that wants to give public testimony?
Michele, do you have the -- you didn't give me the
paper?
MS. SAKUMA: No, he doesn't.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Come.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Richard Brush.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: I will let him. Why don't
you have a seat right here. And this is for recording
purposes, if you would introduce yourself, and the purpose,
and who you represent.
MR. BRUSH: I'm Richard Brush, and I live out in
Kanaio. And I have literally the very last water meter on the
line. And we grow trees out there. Put over 10,000
sandalwood, koas back in the forest over many years.
And I am here -- actually, I'm part of the
Oversight Committee on the Federal grant. And, so, I have
been participating in this water situation for the last year.
And it's been a really wonderful experience having the members
from the various organizations working with the citizens and
working together, like you are here sitting around, you know,
in a circle, working together rather than a hierarchy.
And what I'm here to do is to support the Water
Department in establishing the highest quality of filtration
at the Piiholo plant. Because as I'm sure you are all
familiar, it's the plant that is using the sand filters. And
it seems to -- with this -- on the committee, we seem to be on
one page here in agreement. What we do need is to get the
organic carbon out of the water, because that is the source of
not only the lead -- the acidification of the water, the lead
leaching, but also the bacteria which is what was really
behind the Federal grant, you know, the so-called itchy water.
That it was actually feeding the bacteria by removing that.
I'm sure you all know that.
So, I'm just here, because about two weeks ago,
when Dr. Lorrin Pang, you know, the State Health fellow from
here spoke at the big meeting we had, where Dr. Mark Edwards
spoke to the issues of the lead and bacteria. And then Lorrin
kind of put it together.
And he said that -- because it seems that what we
are really opposed to is this Federal EPA motion to put a
blended inhibitor, the phosphate, back into the water, if we
fall out of compliance. But we won't fall out of compliance
if we can clean the water up and get the organic carbons out.
I mean, we seemed to be agreed on that, which is a good thing.
So, I really would like to support that.
Now, Lorrin used the word outbreak, because there
was about a six-fold increase in lead levels in the people --
in the children that were tested previously. Now, it does
look like that's calmed down. But at that point, it was what
he called an outbreak.
And to that end, it was his feeling, as a medical
doctor, that -- and a, you know, State Health official, that
it was not appropriate to use the phosphate. That that was --
actually, we would create a problem. That it was actually
what he called an experimental situation.
Whereas, when you have an outbreak, you can only
really work with what you -- what you know. And in this
sense, the filtration of removing the carbon -- I mean, it's a
hundred-year-old problem. I mean, we have had surface water
forever. I have lived in Kanaio -- I mean, we are the end of
the line.
We had a group of horses actually attack my water
meter. Broke it all to pieces. I mean, it was so great
though. You guys sent up a guy in an hour, and they had the
meter. But when I was up there, I stuck my finger in the
pipe, and I was going, wow, we still got some slime.
So, we have problems still in the system. But if
we remove the carbon, I think that would be really good. And
to that end, like last night, I testified to the Council
meeting up in Makawao, in Pukalani, to ask for emergency
measures to get -- I think there's a Mayor's Emergency Fund
for a million dollars.
And I've just kind of heard it in the pipeline
that it might cost a couple million dollars to do this. And I
just feel that that would be a real good move, because as
Lorrin pointed out, it would deal with four different problems
at once.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Right.
MR. BRUSH: You know, the bacteria, the lead,
trihalomethanes.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Pesticides.
MR. BRUSH: And the pesticides, right. That's
what they got all the money for that built the other two
plants.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Right, right.
MR. BRUSH: Other than asking Steve Case for it, I
think we could, you know, do it. And I think the sooner the
better, because bacteria is a very serious problem. We don't
really understand a lot of it.
But about 10 years ago, Milwaukee, 400,000 people,
a hundred people died, and it was Legionella. And this is the
bacteria we have been finding in our water, not only the
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the mycobacterias, but also this. So,
I think the sooner the better, and that's why I would go along
with Dr. Pang's calling it an outbreak that justifies the real
emergency. So, I do thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Thank you very much. Do you
have any questions for the testifier? Yes, Ms. Parsons.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Are you asking that the
Board recommend, as an advisory Board, recommend to -- make a
recommendation to the Mayor to call this an emergency --
MR. BRUSH: Yeah.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: -- issue and help to try to
get us the filter on line as soon as possible?
MR. BRUSH: Absolutely. You know, coming from a
body such as yours, it's your kuleana. It would have weight.
And I think his heart would be into it. You know, it's, I'm
1sure, a problem for him. And he's showing that they are
making, you know, an effort to clean it up rather than to hide
it.
And I think it would be a very positive move for
everybody, kind of a win/win. And that's what our committee
has been doing, is try and bring everybody together to work
together. And as I say, it's been a wonderful experience.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Mr. Okamura.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: What committee are you
talking about now?
MR. BRUSH: Well, the name has evolved. But it
came out of the Federal grant, the EPA grant.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: So, you sit on that
committee?
MR. BRUSH: Yes.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Okay. And the Department
mentioned that they were planning -- you know, after this
study, they would plan to put in the -- the recommendations
would have that they would put in the carbon filtration?
MR. BRUSH: The GAC. It was in the Boyle Report,
actually, and they are just following what is that
recommendation. And from what Eric said, in one of our
meetings, when he presented the idea of the blended inhibitor,
this orthopolyphosphate again, the whole Department was agast.
They didn't want it at all. And it's like our committee
doesn't want it.
You know, it's something that's been used on the
mainland a lot, but we have a peculiar situation with no
phosphate in our water. So, you add phosphate, you know, it
will make a nice fertilizer.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Okay. Thank you.
MR. BRUSH: All right.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Let me, if I may, pose to the
Director, is there any update as far as where we are at as far
as what is being suggested?
I understand you have to look for emergency funds
from the Mayor, which is one part of the equation. And I
guess there's other funding that would be necessitated from
the Department. But how are we looking as far as that,
Mr. Tengan? Is this a real possibility? Should we get the
emergency funds that something like this could come to
fruition?
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Mr. Chair, you know, I
appreciate the question, and we have had discussions
internally about it. But I don't know that it's appropriate
to discuss it at this point in time. This is a time for
public testimony.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. All right. Thank you.
I just wanted to clarify.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: In my mind, it should be
agenda'd if it's going to be discussed.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: And we will put it on the
next agenda. Thank you. Okay.
Any other questions for the speaker? If not,
thank you very much. We do appreciate it. Thank you.
MR. BRUSH: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Is there anyone else out
there that would like to give public testimony in any matters
dealing with water?
If not, we will move on then, okay, to the agenda
items. Communications, we have none. Unfinished business,
none.
Director's report, I guess we will start with
Director's Report 06-01, water test results from Central and
Lahaina-Napili Water Systems. Who would like to speak on
that, Mr. Tengan?
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Mr. Chair, this is -- this item
was done at the request of the Board.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Uh-huh.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: The reports were put together by
our Plant Operations Division and, more specifically, our
Laboratory Branch. Ms. Cari Sumabat is here. She's the
supervisor for the Laboratory, and also Joe Mendonca. He's
the Division Chief for the Plant Operations.
If you have any specific questions, I could call
them up to respond to the questions.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Does any Board Member
have specific questions on the report as submitted? I think
Member Okamura, you had some questions.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Yeah, I just wanted to
briefly go over it. Okay. Yeah, because I couldn't
understand what he meant.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. So, you would like
kind of like an overview of how they report it?
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Mr. Tengan, would you
like to call up Cari or Joe or both maybe?
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Make your trip up here
worthwhile.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: If you would state your name
and your particular position within the Department, we would
appreciate it.
MR. MENDONCA: Okay. My name is Joe Mendonca. I
am the Plant Operations Manager.
MS. SUMABAT: Cari Sumabat, and I'm with the
Laboratory.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: If you would, one of you
would kind of give a quick overview on the report itself, and
if you have specific questions, Mr. Okamura can ask at that
point.
MR. MENDONCA: Let's see. Where is it?
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Explain the chart.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: There you go.
MR. MENDONCA: I guess, in the second page, we
have the THM and HAA pipe levels of the Central Maui Water
System. On the third page, we have the Lahaina and Napili
Water Systems, same THMs and HAA5s, and we also include our
well source, chloride levels on the fourth page.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Mr. Chair, the THMs and the
HAA5s are the disinfectant byproducts. These are supposed to
be considered organics. The Department monitors these. First
of all, we are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to
monitor for these byproducts.
And as the transmittal explains, the MCL for THMs
are 80 milligrams per liter, and 60 -- that's THMs, and
60 milligrams per liter for HAA5.
MS. SUMABAT: There's a correction on there.
MR. MENDONCA: Yeah, George, there's a typo on
there.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Oh, there is?
MR. MENDONCA: It's micrograms. It's 60 parts per
billion for THMs and -- 80 parts for THMs and 60 parts for
HAA5s, parts per billion.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: That would be that UG?
MR. MENDONCA: Yes.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I didn't know what that
was.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: What's the dosage of
chlorine right now in Central Valley, and what's your average
residual?
MS. SUMABAT: I don't know what the dosage is, but
the average is anywhere from 0.8 to 1.4.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Do you know what your dosage
is coming out of your plant?
MR. MENDONCA: Coming out of the plants? Let's
see. I'd say Waihee wells probably have about one part.
That's what we usually set it at, usually around one part,
between one part and .8 parts out of the sources.
(Boardmember Helm Crivello arrived.)
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Okay. That's interesting,
because I have taken some mock measurements, and we are
getting 1.25. So, we got to be putting more in, unless it's
making chlorine.
MR. MENDONCA: Actually, it's not only -- there's
a whole bunch of sources that are adding chlorine. So, one
might be a little higher than the other, so we are around that
area.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Let me make this a little
bit clearer. What are -- maybe the next thing to ask for is
what are the dosages, and where are they? And, I mean, is the
surface water getting a higher dosage of chlorine, and it's
mixing with the groundwater, and that could be doing it? Is
that a possibility?
MR. MENDONCA: Yeah, that could be a possibility.
In some places, we have gas, and where we have gas -- you
know, we have -- sometimes it's pumping into Iao tank, and
sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's going directly to the
system. So, it's a variable how the system operates. And it
could -- well, it does affect the chlorine levels.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Okay.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Before we go, let the record
show that member Stacy Helm Crivello is present.
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Hello. I am sorry. It's
storming on our island. Late flights today.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Thank you. No problem.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: What is the pH dosage that
you are using right now?
MR. MENDONCA: We don't dose the pH.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: You don't dose the pH at
all?
MR. MENDONCA: No.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: That's good. No soda even
in the surface water?
MR. MENDONCA: That I am unclear about.
MS. SUMABAT: You are talking about the Central
area. We don't dose for the Central area.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Not even in the surface
system?
MS. SUMABAT: No.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Good, good, good, good.
Your THMs are high on Baker Street. I mean, they are not out
of compliance, but they are high on Baker Street. Why do you
suppose that is? Is there organic matter in that area? Is
that a pipe that needs to be replaced or --
MR. MENDONCA: There is just one instance where,
in that fourth quarter -- that second quarter that we had the
high numbers. Now, I would have to go back and look maybe to,
you know, maybe 20 quarters and see if that is consistent,
because it's inconsistent here.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Uh-huh. That's why I looked
at it, yeah.
MR. MENDONCA: I mean, it could be because the
residence time is higher, and more people were using water at
that time. I'm not sure.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: And it looks like Ainakea
Road also is out of sync with everything else. Is it -- is it
pipe replacement that -- is it the older pipes that's causing
that? Possibility, or is it a dead end?
MR. MENDONCA: Yeah. I'm not sure if it's a dead
end. Do you know?
MS. SUMABAT: I don't know if it's a dead end.
I'm sorry.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Is it something we even need
to consider to look in to?
MS. SUMABAT: Well, the requirements are the
longest residence time in the system. So, I think we may have
looked at it. The Department of Health and we had looked at
it. We looked for places like that.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Little hot spots.
MS. SUMABAT: Yes. You also have to remember that
for the Lahaina system, there's two treatment plants, one
feeding the Lahaina side and one feeding the Napili side. So,
the water might being mixed or the water might not be.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: But are they both using free
chlorine?
MS. SUMABAT: Yes.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: We are not using any
chloramines other than Upcountry. So, okay. It looks good.
I think it looks good. Good job.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Good. Member Okamura.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: How would you read the
chloride analysis chart? What does that show, and what's the
numbers in the chart? It just says how much what? How much
chloride is in the thing, and that's good or bad? Not so
good?
MR. MENDONCA: The higher the chlorides, the more
careful we have to be about how much we pump that well.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I see. I see. These are
all wells then.
MR. MENDONCA: Yes. And this will tell you what
the condition is of that well. Some are higher than others.
Of course, if it's high, we would want to cut back on our
pumpage.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: So, Waiehu is 400 in June.
Is that high or is that not too bad?
MR. MENDONCA: That well has been historically
high throughout the years.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Oh, is there any kind of
level you guys -- like an orange zone, or some yellow zone, or
any number that is sort of set, or it's all relative?
MR. MENDONCA: To determine if we pump it or not?
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: No. You said you would
sort of look at it and say, oh, it's getting high. What, 500
would be high, getting on high side, or what's some numbers?
I don't have any idea.
MR. MENDONCA: I think --
MS. SUMABAT: It's not regulated by the Department
of Health. There is a secondary MCL, and that number is 250.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Secondary means?
MS. SUMABAT: It's not regulated.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I see.
MS. SUMABAT: It's an advisory.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: It doesn't -- oh, I see.
Even like the Water Resources Commission doesn't look at these
numbers, and say -- they do or -- they do look at it?
MR. MENDONCA: They are required.
MS. SUMABAT: Water Resources, DLNR, the Water
Commission also.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Water Commission. So, you
have to report these to them. I see.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Cari, it was pointed out that
back in the third quarter, there was a lab accident, and, you
know, for two areas, there were no reports because of a lab
accident. Would you kind of -- I mean, I don't want to get
into major details, but what happened specifically?
MS. SUMABAT: What had happened there -- oh, the
HAA5s, the regulation says that you have to collect the THMs
and the HAA5 at the same time or the result isn't valid.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: I see.
MS. SUMABAT: And it was not collected, so we had
to throw out the one result.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. So, that's what you
constituted as a lab accident then. It wasn't like the place
burned or anything else?
MS. SUMABAT: No.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Well, kind of like real
disconcerting when I see lab accident. So, okay.
Going back to these wells, I had one more
question. I notice there's a -- you know, not only with the
Waiehu Heights 514, but there's a couple of Kanaha, you know,
consistently high. What is and how much do we use these wells
as far as the two Kanaha 575 and 576? They seem to run
consistently high, especially 525, yeah?
MR. MENDONCA: Yeah, they have been. You know,
the Water Department, they have been high. That water there
is supplemented. Actually, the primary source of that --
those two wells pump into the Kahana tank -- Kanaha tank, and
the primary source for that tank is the Lahaina Water
Treatment Plant. So, we would tend not to pump these wells,
if we have ample supply from the Water Treatment Plant.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: I see.
MR. MENDONCA: Only if our levels drop we would
pump these wells.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Mr. Chair, Board Members might
want to refer to the monthly source reports that are included
in the back as part of our Divisional Report. If you look at
that, and you can look at the name of the wells here, then you
can see how much we are pumping at each source. And you can
kind of relate that to what's happening as far as chlorides
are concerned. And hopefully, when the chlorides are high,
you see zero or low pumping for this particular source.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: That would be what, page 14?
DIRECTOR TENGAN: It's the first page after the
index for the Division Reports.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Oh, okay. Okay. Page one.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Can I ask something?
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Sure. Go ahead.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I'm looking at the old --
last month's source report. At Kanaha 575 and 576, it's sort
of consistently -- they are about the same, yeah, amount of
draw for that, but sometimes it goes up a little bit higher.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Any other questions?
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Well, thank you for the
explanation, Joe and Cari. We do appreciate that. Thank you.
MR. MENDONCA: Okay.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Yes.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Do we want to wait until
agenda items --
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Agenda items and put that on
along with the others. Okay. Nothing more on the Director's
Report.
Other business, before I go on to A and B, I would
like to go to C, finish that up, and then go back to A and B,
if that's okay with the Board, our members. Is that all right
with everybody?
Okay. We will start with you first, and then we
want to hear all the good news.
MR. NAKAMURA: Good morning, Mr. Chair. Alva
Nakamura, Engineering Program Manager for the Board.
2Currently, as far as Pookela is concerned, they started the
bailing process last week. Bailing is sending a cylinder down
the shaft to determine what is at the bottom of the well.
And after bailing a couple of times, all we got
out of it was some cloudy water and some very, very small
particles, which was -- we expected that, so nothing unusual.
Subsequent to that, we sent down a video camera to
take a look at the condition of the well, all the way down to
the water to take a look at it. And when we sent the camera
down, we noticed that there was some light film -- oil film on
the surface of the water.
We suspect that that might have been created when
the drilling of the well was done and just left over. And we
had some cloudy material at the top of the water level going
down about five or six feet.
So, as a precaution, before we started putting the
pump and motor down into the well, we decided to, as a
precaution, go back down again and try to skim the surface of
the water to remove all the oil particles and other, you know,
hazy material that was at the top of the water level.
And they did this on Tuesday. And after doing
that, and we had our staff out there to monitor the situation,
it was determined that everything looked okay. And as a
result, the bailing was stopped. And yesterday, they started
the process of the installation of the pump and motor into the
well.
So, that is currently ongoing right now as I
speak. I know a lot of you probably haven't seen a pump and
motor, so I just brought some pictures here to kind of show
you what a motor looks like that goes in the well.
This is a picture of the motor, the electric motor
that is going to go down into the shaft. This is about
12 feet long, in length, okay. And this thing goes down into
the shaft. This, in turn, is coupled to the pump, and the
pump is this.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Can you pass these around?
MR. NAKAMURA: Yeah, I will pass these around.
This, in turn, is coupled to a pump, which is this long shaft.
This one here is about 20 feet long. So, if you can picture
that hooked onto the top of the motor, you have something that
they got to lower into the shaft about 32 feet in length that
goes down.
Here is another closer picture of the pump. And I
will pass this around also. You can take a look at this. So,
they are in the process of doing that right now. To give you
some idea of the massiveness of the installation, the -- and
if you look at the picture, see these pipes along here? These
pipes are about 20-foot sections, and they are going to be
installing 80 to 90 sections of this pipe on the top of this
pump and motor as it's lowered down.
So, if you can picture this going down, on top of
that, they have got the pipe hooked on to it. And they are
going to be hooking on about 80 to 90 sections of this pipe.
Now, each section is about a thousand pounds in weight. So,
when they have all of this 80 or 90 sections all hooked up
together -- you know, they have the thread that they screw the
pipes on together. You are looking at a total weight of about
50 to 60 tons that this crane will be lowering into the shaft.
So, kind of gives you an idea of the massiveness
of that. I will pass these around. Give you an idea of the
massiveness of the installation. And as I speak, they are in
the process of installation of the motor and pump.
Now, because we took some precautions and did some
bailing and all that, the anticipated startup time for the
motor -- for the well has kind of been pushed back by several
weeks. And talking to Dwayne Ting of the Maui Master
Builders, he anticipates at the very, very earliest, at the
end of next month or possibly into early May, they are going
to start the pump and motor up.
So, at the present time, you know, we are moving
ahead, and that's the status of the well. Any questions?
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Very nice.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Very, very impressive. Very
impressive. Any questions from the Board Members?
Mr. Okamura.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: What is the pump capacity
going to be again?
MR. NAKAMURA: 900 gallons per minute. That's
about 1 point -- roughly 1.3 million gallons a day.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: And that's at full
capacity?
MR. NAKAMURA: Full capacity.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: That's going to run --
MR. NAKAMURA: I am not sure how they are going to
operate it, but that's the capacity.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Usually, that's operated
at about 80 percent of capacity, 60 percent?
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Well, we are still discussing it
internally as to how -- you know, the operational plan for its
use. That's going to depend on our reservoir levels, too.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Oh.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Because, as you know, it's
probably much more expensive to pump water out of that well
than to treat water at our treatment plant.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I see. Okay.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: So, there are operation
considerations as to when and how we use the well.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Usually, you don't -- even
if you -- let's say it was important to have that water.
Would you operate it -- you wouldn't operate it at max. You
would operate it as a percentage of max, yeah?
DIRECTOR TENGAN: No, this isn't a variable speed
motor.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I see.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Once you turn it on, it will
just be pumping at its full capacity.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I see. What you do then
is you run it so many hours a day, or you just run it all the
time?
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Well, once we turn it on, we
will probably run it for a durational time.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Yes, Ms. Parsons.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Mr. Director, at the Water
Resources Meeting last week that was on Akaku Sunday, I
believe you said something with regard to Pookela well not
being able to mix it in because of the high pH.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Well, I think what I stated --
as I recall, I had just learned about that pH might be an
issue, and that it could affect our use of the wells.
Other than that, I don't have much recollection as
to what I said. But I had just learned about that before
the -- I believe it was a Council Committee meeting. I had
just learned about that, that it might be an issue. And, so,
I mentioned it at the meeting.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Why would you consider the
pH to be a problem? And let me ask --
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Well, like I said, you know, I
had just learned about it, and I hadn't had a chance to
discuss with the staff the implications of that. But since
that time, we have -- Eric has been following up on that
issue. And if there's any further discussion on it, then
Eric -- I can ask Eric to continue. Come and sit here.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Mr. Yamashige, would you like
to elaborate? And if you have more information to share with
us, please.
MR. YAMASHIGE: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair,
Members. Eric Yamashige. As George mentioned, I think I
mentioned it to George just before that committee meeting, and
it was a concern that was raised by our Department.
And what it is, is the pH coming out of the well
is about 8.4. And the concern was that the corrosion control
plan that we have filed with the Department of Health gives us
a range of 8.8 to 9.4 as the pH range for that control.
So, the concern was that 8.4 was too low, and that
we would have to adjust the pH to make it comply within that.
Subsequent to that, there was -- what we were looking at, we
did have discussions with the Department of Health, and our
Department staff still has to discuss this.
But like George said, common sense says that you
put in this good well water into the system, why would it be a
problem. And the Department of Health reiterated that, and
said the well water at 8.4 is not acidic. So, it shouldn't be
a problem. In fact, it might help the whole system by having
that well water in there.
So, at this point, you know, we still have to
discuss it. We have to see how much water is going to be
mixed, where the pH is going to end up, but we -- we may not
have to adjust the pH in the well.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: When would -- and what I will
do, is I will put this as an agenda item for next month. But
I would like an update as you get this -- closer to --
MR. YAMASHIGE: Putting it on.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: -- putting it on, yes. So,
we will put that an agenda item for follow-up on that.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: And also make some type of
memo or correction to the Water Resources Committee. And I'm
just going to -- this is just because it's -- we were on
Akaku, and you are hitting the base out there, when we make
statements like, that we have to be really, really careful,
because the public picks on them -- picks up on them really
quick. And that's a very informed public.
It's a different stage these days. They can call
university professors, and water resource information, and
resources on the internet, and they are very well educated,
self-educated in some cases. And, so, when we do make
statements like that, especially when it's alarming, when it
might not be mixed in, we got to correct them as quickly as
possible.
MR. YAMASHIGE: I will make sure that I research
things before I --
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Mr. Chair, I don't believe I
made an alarming misstatement. I just said that there might
be a concern.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Right.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: So, I don't know what alarm that
can, you know, create.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Well, I think the sentiment
in the public and some of the mistrust and for -- for the
legitimacy or not of it, it's just that people, when they hear
something, many times take it out of context and start running
with it. So, I believe what you said was with good intent,
but some people may have picked it up in the wrong way. So,
no question.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: Maybe if I try to, you know,
explain what I said, that might create more problems.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Probably, yeah.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: I just think the correction
with the Chair --
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Probably, but I appreciate
it. And I thank you, Mr. Yamashige.
DIRECTOR TENGAN: But, you know, we can -- we can
make -- if your agenda comes up on the Water Resources
Committee again, then we can, you know, give an updated report
on the particular issue and get it straightened out then.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Tengan.
Mr. Okamura.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I had a question,
Mr. Chair, for you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Yes, go ahead.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Would it be in order to
ask questions about correspondence that the Director sent out
that was included in what we received over the past couple
weeks or so, and just ask him some questions about these
correspondence?
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: It should have been,
actually, on the Director's Report you should have asked that.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: It is Director's Report
now.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: No, we are under other
business. We have moved on. But unless the committee has --
the Board has a problem with that, I will -- you know, you
moved back from Director's Report. We are in to other
business. All right.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: That's right. You are
right.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: I asked you if you had
anything else on the Director's Report, and you said no. But
we could, if you want to put it under Division Reports, and
you can ask the Director then.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Thanks. Good.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Any other questions for Alva
or Eric as for Pookela? Sounds like some exciting news in the
very near future. So, thank you very much.
I know it's been a long process, but looks like
once it's done, we are all going to be happy, especially the
people Upcountry who deserve it the most.
Okay. Before I go, I will go back, if it's all
right with the Board, back A and B. And under unfinished
business A, approval of Resolution Number 06-01 for outgoing
Board of Water Supply Member Stacy Helm Crivello and a
presentation of a plaque.
It's with a heavy heart that I have to do this,
because these two particular people I have worked with, and I
think I have enjoyed working with. They brought a lot to the
table. And, so, I will start with you, Stacy, if you don't
mind.
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Whereas Stacy Helm Crivello,
on Kaunakakai, Hawaii, was appointed to serve on an unexpired
term of another Board Member of the Board of Water Supply of
the County of Maui, on April 1st, 2003, and her term will
expire on March 31st, 2006;
Whereas the said Stacy Helm Crivello has
unselfishly and with dedication devoted, without compensation,
her time and energy in the matters dealing with the Board of
Water Supply and all the interests of the people of Maui
County;
Whereas, during this time of her service, as a
Board Member, she has contributed generously of her knowledge
and skills to make decisions for the Board that will influence
its direction and operations for years ahead;
Whereas her interest in this Board of Water and
the Department of Water Supply has been greatly appreciated by
her fellow Board Members;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Board of
Water Supply of the County of Maui hereby congratulates,
commends, and thanks the said Stacy Helm Crivello for the
three years of faithful, outstanding service she has rendered
as a Board of Water Supply Member;
And be it further resolved that the members of the
Board extend to Stacy Helm Crivello a sincere aloha, best
wishes for her continued success and much happiness in her
future endeavors;
And, be further resolved that this certified copy
of this resolution be transmitted to said Stacy Helm Crivello
the Mayor, and the Maui County Council.
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: I would like now to ask you
to take a role call of all members to approve this resolution,
starting with member Ginny Parsons.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Affirm.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Carl Holmberg.
BOARDMEMBER HOLMBERG: Aye.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Kent Hiranaga.
BOARDMEMBER HIRANAGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Ken Okamura.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: And myself, humbly, aye.
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Thank you very much. Let's
give you a hand. And Stacy, on behalf of the Board and the
Department, we would like to present this to you.
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Oh, thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Thank you very much. We will
miss you very, very much. There's a lei. Okay. I was
wondering where the lei was. Okay. Eric, you take care of
the lei.
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Mahalo.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Stacy, would you like to say
a few words?
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Oh, no. Thank you. I
think three years is too short. You are just learning the
ropes, you know. But I enjoyed -- it's been a learning
experience for me. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: We thank you for your
services. Again, thank you.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: We could ask to get you
reupped.
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Oh, you got take a one year
break.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Okay. Then come back.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. All right. Okay.
Now, I would like to go on to B, approval of Resolution 06-02
for outgoing Board of Water Supply Member Kent Hiranaga and
the presentation of the plank -- plaque, I should say. Excuse
me.
Whereas Kent M. Hiranaga of Paia, Hawaii, was
appointed to the Board of Water Supply of the County of Maui
on April 1st, 2001, and his term will expire on March 31st,
2006;
Whereas the said Kent M. Hiranaga served as
Chairperson for the Board of Water Supply from July 1st, 2003,
to June 30th, 2004;
Whereas the said Kent M. Hiranaga has unselfishly
and with dedicated -- dedication devoted, without
compensation, his time and energy in the matters dealing with
the Board of Water Supply and in the interest of all the
people of the County of Maui;
Whereas, during this time, he has served as the
Board Member, he has contributed generously of his knowledge
and skills to make decisions for the Board that will influence
the direction and the operation for years ahead;
Whereas his interest in this Board and the
Department of Water Supply has been greatly appreciated by his
fellow Board Members;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of
Water Supply of the County of Maui, that it does hereby
congratulate, commend and thank Kenneth M. Hiranaga for the
five years of faithful, outstanding service that he has
rendered as a Board of Water Supply member;
And further be resolved that the Members of the
Board extend to Kenneth M. Hiranaga a sincere aloha, best
wishes for his continued success and much happiness in future
endeavors;
And, be it resolved, that a certified copy of this
resolution be transmitted to said Kenneth M. Hiranaga, the
Mayor, and the Maui County Council. And I would like to call
a role call for approval starting with Ms. Parsons.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Stacy.
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Carl.
BOARDMEMBER HOLMBERG: Aye.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Ken.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: And a humble aye from myself
also. And Kenneth, let me say something in addition --
BOARDMEMBER HIRANAGA: Kent, Kent.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Kent. I always do that,
yeah? I still do that. I have done it for four years.
But Kent, you brought something, and Stacy, that
we really truly enjoyed your background in the area of real
estate and other areas have been very, very much of big
assistance to many of us on this table. And I would like to
sincerely thank you very much for all your contributions as
Chair and as Member. Let's give Kenneth a big hand.
(Applause.)
Kent. Thank you very much. Kent.
BOARDMEMBER HIRANAGA: Is that a typo you are
reading?
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: I know I say Kenneth. I get
so nervous when I read these things. It goes Kent. Make the
correction Kent. But thank you very much.
Now, before I go any further, I will ask for a --
BOARDMEMBER HIRANAGA: May I say a few words?
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: I was going to have a recess,
but you may go ahead and say a few words, Mr. Kent Hiranaga.
BOARDMEMBER HIRANAGA: I just want to say I
enjoyed the five years working with the Department. I learned
a lot, and I enjoyed the interaction that occurred between the
Board and the Department.
To the Board, I would like to -- a few of us were
serving prior to the Charter change, so we know how the Board
used to function prior to the Charter change. And I think
it's important that the members try to complete their
five-year term to provide continuity during their time of
service, because I know we have had some turnover. And
because of the Charter change, it may not be as challenging as
it used to be.
But I urge all the members to try and complete
their term, because I think it's important that the Board
remain vigilant even though maybe their role has been
diminished somewhat. But it's been a good five years, and I
have enjoyed, and thank you all.
(Applause.)
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Now I will call for a
15-minute recess.
BOARDMEMBER HIRANAGA: Stacy and I have brought
some refreshments for everyone to enjoy.
(Recess, 9:59 a.m. Resumed, 10:23 a.m. Director
Tengan is not present.)
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Call this meeting to order.
Okay. Back to where we left on. Again, on behalf of the
Board Members, I would like to say thank you, Stacy and Kent,
for that wonderful spread that was just offered to us. It
will be long remembered.
You guys were great Board Members. Now we are
going to remember the food you gave us, too. We are going to
remember you for a long time.
Okay. Moving on to D, other business, receipt of
Board Member requests for agenda items to be placed on future
agenda. Mr. Okamura, you had a couple that you wanted.
Michele -- and go slowly, because Michele is going to write
1them down for me.
MS. SAKUMA: Thank you.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: So we don't have to submit
in writing to you?
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Well, what I say is usually,
if you tell us here and we have it down, that's fine. The
problem is a lot of times you guys go, oh, let me think about
it. I am going to get back to you. And then Jerry has told
me a lot of times we get nothing.
I mean, I am checking her on the 7th, 8th of each
month, she says, oh, I haven't received anything. So, if you
have something specific now, give us now. And up to the 6th
of the month, okay, up to 6th of the month, if you have
something, e-mail me, and I will make sure it gets on the
agenda. Mr. Okamura.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Thank you. I wanted to --
you know, maybe we look at the meeting we had with the
Planning Commission. I was looking over the minutes, and I
was saying, yeah, there was some interesting things that was
brought up at that meeting maybe we could discuss.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Can you get specific on what
you want from the meeting? And there I would ask you to
e-mail me, if you can be specific on the issues that you would
like us to bring up from the meeting.
We will put down agenda item review of joint
meeting between the Planning Commission and the Board of Water
Supply, and then give me the specific agenda items you would
like to put down. Okay?
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Okay. Okay. I know that
one -- okay. I can do that. One of them is, you know, the
reporting back for the Planning Commission, are they getting
the information that they requested at the meeting?
MS. KRAFTSOW: The availabilities?
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Yeah.
MS. KRAFTSOW: We haven't --
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. We are not going to go
answering that right now.
MS. KRAFTSOW: Okay.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: But the question is, is that
happening, and put it down as an agenda item. Then you can
come back next month and maybe have some preparation in that
area. Okay.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Also review of
availability numbers that was talked about in that meeting,
some more discussion about that. I would appreciate that.
MS. KRAFTSOW: Okay.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: That way Ellen and other
people can get prepared for it. I just don't want to get into
a discussion right now. Let you prepare for it.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: And Carl had something.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Carl.
BOARDMEMBER HOLMBERG: I have a couple things, and
I will submit them by e-mail. I would just verbally say that
one I would like to discuss with Mr. Tengan his letter to
Wailuku Water to have some more background and see what -- how
they are progressing since that letter. And number two --
number two, I will have to e-mail you, because it just floated
back out of my mind.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. But please, by no
later than the 6th of next month, because I want to get it to
Jerry, so she can place it on the agenda. Okay? Ms. Parsons.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: A report on the THMs and the
HAA5s and the HPC counts similar to what we did with Central
Valley for Upcountry and Hana, and include the HPC counts,
measurements. And then the other thing was could --
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Slowly, slowly. Got that,
Michele?
MS. SAKUMA: Yes.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Go ahead.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: And then can we discuss
budget needs? And when I say that, because when we did the
stakeholders, it was before we had the Boyle Report. And now
with the Boyle Report, we have got new needs and new issues
that we have to deal with.
Can we just discuss budget, and what we might be
able to do to help bring in line what monies we may need?
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Well, I like what you are
asking, but I think we have to be more specific. If we are
going to ask for something of that nature, we must be specific
in the sense of what do you want? New lines? What are you
asking for, so that we can actually make some kind of
budgetary preparations? So --
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Well, I don't want to do
it -- I don't want to put a burden on the Department to do it
in a month. But I think maybe in the -- somewhere within the
next -- give them three months to pull this together, but
let's look at a budget forecast with new -- with the new
issues that have arisen and where we need to be --
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Proactive.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Right.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Why don't we say this. We
can agenda that for June's meeting. Okay.
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: We aren't here, are we?
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Yes, we are. We will be
here. Stop it. June's meeting, and that way -- it would also
give the Department some time to look at these matters and put
some preliminary numbers. And that's all it would be,
preliminary numbers.
Also give the new Board Members that will be
coming on some time to understand and kind of relate to the
situation and get a better feel of it. Okay? So, let's put
that till June. Okay? But as a request, we would like the
Department to start looking into the matter. Okay, Eric?
BOARDMEMBER PARSONS: Including the EPA
contaminate issues that are coming up between now and 2012, so
we can get some projections of funds that we are going to
need.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Anything else,
Members? Yes.
BOARDMEMBER HOLMBERG: Mr. Chairman, I have
remembered my other item, which I will e-mail to you. I would
also like to get our current status on querying the Council
for the executive session issues that were brought up a couple
of meetings ago that they won't discuss with us.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: And they won't discuss it
with us. It's this ongoing problem.
BOARDMEMBER HOLMBERG: Right.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: We can put that down and ask
Mr. Kushi if he can give us an update or whatever he has
availed to us. Ralph's been helping me with that, but,
unfortunately, Ralph is not here today. Hope he's okay.
Anything else? Well, before I adjourn this
meeting, I would go to our Divisional Reports. Okay. And
there were -- you had questions for Mr. Tengan. He left. But
maybe --
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: No, no. We can do it next
meeting.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: The next meeting. Okay. All
right. All right. Any questions specifically on the
Divisional Reports, and I guess, Eric, you are the one.
MR. YAMASHIGE: I will try to answer.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay. Do you have any
specific questions for Eric? Do you want to wait, or do you
want to try ask him that question?
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I can ask him one
question.
MR. YAMASHIGE: Easy one.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Member Okamura.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: On page 12 of the Division
2Report, the bottom chart, you guys have water delivery charge
2in the one above. They deal with the water delivery charge by
the thousand gallons at 6 cents per thousand. But in that
one, you have like a lump sum. Why? Why is that?
MR. YAMASHIGE: I don't know why it's
inconsistent.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: That's all I want.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Can you, maybe by the next
meeting, get an answer for why they are lumped together, if
there's a reason.
MR. YAMASHIGE: It's just inconsistent the way
it's presented, so I will ask.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: Okay.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: Page 14, the percent of
sustainable yield for Iao well, is it 87.99 percent, and what
was the percent of sustainable yield that we were supposed to
stay below?
MR. YAMASHIGE: It was 90, I believe.
MS. KRAFTSOW: Yeah, it was 18, so 90 percent.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: So, we are right on the
border, 17.5, 17.59. So, we are right on that border right
now.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OKAMURA: I see. Any other
questions on the Divisional Reports? If I don't hear any,
before I adjourn this meeting, again, I would like to thank
Stacy for all the wonderful years of working with you and --
BOARDMEMBER CRIVELLO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN VICTORINO: And Kent, the years working
with you have been a great pleasure and honor. And I know we
will see each other around in other areas. I wish you nothing
but the best and continued success. And meeting adjourned.
(Adjourned, 10:33)
