{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"geography":["West Maui"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'West Maui' for facet 'geography' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":1,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?geography=West+Maui","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"earjust-002444","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/earjust-002444","title":"Request to Rescind and Correct Chair Chang’s Correspondence Allowing Use of Groundwater for Irrigation Purposes on the Kapalua Bay and Plantation Golf Courses","publisher":{"name":"Earthjustice","organization":"earthjustice"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2025-11-17","source_url":"https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-17-ej-ltr-to-cwrm-and-exhibits-1-6.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"Earthjustice is challenging a decision by Chair Dawn N.S. Chang of the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) to allow the use of potable groundwater for irrigating the Kapalua Bay and Plantation Golf Courses. Earthjustice argues that this action was unilateral, unlawful, and violates the State Water Code, as the golf courses are not listed as existing groundwater users in the relevant permit applications. The document highlights that this water use continues despite a severe drought in West Maui and strict water restrictions for community members. Earthjustice cites a memorandum from CWRM Deputy Director Ciara W.K. Kahahane stating that groundwater should not be used for golf course irrigation and that such use was not occurring at the time of the area's designation as a Water Management Area in August 2022.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002444#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Chair Dawn N.S. Chang unilaterally authorized the use of potable groundwater for irrigating the Kapalua Bay and Plantation Golf Courses in August 2025, despite the lack of a formal permit from the full Commission.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002444#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The authorized groundwater use is occurring during a period of historic drought in Maui Komohana, where community members are subject to strict water restrictions, with irrigation usage estimated at up to one million gallons per day.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002444#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The golf course parcels are not included in Hawaii Water Service's (HWS) groundwater permit application; the application only specifies groundwater use for two small parcels totaling approximately 5.6 acres used for structures and parking lots.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002444#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Under the State Water Code, any groundwater use not included in a permit application submitted within one year of the area's designation is presumed abandoned; since no such application was filed for the golf courses, the use is considered abandoned.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002444#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"CWRM Deputy Director Ciara W.K. Kahahane explicitly advised against the use of groundwater for golf course irrigation in an August 18, 2025 memorandum, noting that such use was not occurring in August 2022.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002444#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Chair lacked the legal authority to issue an interim or temporary permit unilaterally, as the State Water Code requires such permits to be issued by the full Commission.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002444#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"TY Management Corporation attempted to amend HWS's groundwater permit application after the September 16, 2025 Commission meeting, but Earthjustice argues this is unlawful as the deadline for late filings passed on May 27, 1993.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002444#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["agricultural irrigation","drought"],"geography_discussed":["Honolua Aquifer System","Kapalua","Honolulu"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["legal challenge","policy critique"]}]}