WATER PLANNING
Watershed Management Plan
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has begun the development of the district-wide watershed management plans, which will comprise the Oʻahu Watershed Management Plan. These plans will be used to meet the requirements of preparing a county water use and development plan under the State of Hawaii Water Code and City and County of Honolulu ordinance. The Hawaii State Commission on Water Resources Management (CWRM) oversees the development of the County water plans under the State Water Code. These plans will comprise the Hawaii Water Plan.
Online Resources
- Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resources Management (CWRM)
- Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR)
- Office of Climate Change, Sustainability & Resiliency (OCCSR)
- Board of Water Supply (BWS) Water Master Plan (WMP)
Learn more about the Hawaiʻi Water Plan
Our Approach
The BWS will develop watershed management plans for each of Oʻahu's eight planning districts through a planning process that will emphasize:
- Community participation and consultation
- Holistic management of watershed resource
- Alignment with important State and City policies and programs
- An action orientation: Implementation of important watershed management programs
- Ahupuaʻa management principles
Our Goal
The overall goal of these plans is to provide short-, mid-, and long-range guidance for the sustainable management and use of Oʻahu's valuable and finite surface and ground water resources in meeting demands consistent with City land use plans.
Our Objectives
- Promote sustainable watersheds
- Protect and enhance water quality and quantity
- Protect Native Hawaiian rights and traditional customary practices
- Facilitate public participation, education, and project implementation
- Meet future water demands at reasonable costs
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Waiʻanae Plan
The Board of Water Supply (BWS) and Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), City and County of Honolulu, have completed the Waianae Watershed Management Plan (WWMP), which will be used to meet the requirement of the State Water Code and City Ordinance to prepare a county water use and development plan.
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East Honolulu Plan
The East Honolulu Watershed Management Plan was officially adopted by the Honolulu City Council and the Commission on Water Resource Management with the Department of Land and Natural Resources in October 2024.
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Central Oʻahu Plan
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is currently developing the district-wide Central Oʻahu Watershed Management Plan (COWMP).
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Primary Urban Center Plan
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is developing the Primary Urban Center Watershed Management Plan (PUC WMP), which will be part of the City Water Use and Development Plan under the State of Hawaiʻi Water Code and City and County of Honolulu ordinance.
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ʻEwa Plan
The Board of Water Supply (BWS) and Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), City and County of Honolulu are currently developing the ʻEwa Watershed Management Plan (EWMP), which will be used to meet the requirement of the State Water Code and City Ordinance to prepare a county water use and development plan. As of May 2017, the public review draft of the ʻEwa Watershed Management Plan Public Review Draft is available.
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North Shore Plan
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) finanlized the North Shore Watershed Management Plan in December 2016.
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Koʻolau Poko Plan
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) completed the development of the district-wide Koʻolau Poko Watershed Management Plan (KPWMP) in September 2012.
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Koʻolau Loa Plan
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) completed the development of the district-wide Koʻolau Loa Watershed Management Plan (KLWMP) in August 2009.
Updated: 02/27/2025