Government officials and contractors break ground on a new county water source project in Honokowai Friday. From left to right are Rep. Elle Cochran, Deputy Water Supply Director James “Kimo” Landgraf, Mayor’s Chief of Staff Leo Caires, Hawaiian Homes Commissioner Randy Awo, Council Member Tamara Paltin, Maui Land and Pineapple CEO Race Randle, Council Member Nohe U‘u-Hodgins, Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Gov. Josh Green’s Maui representative Leon Bolosan, Alpha Inc. Hawaii President Jason Stenger, Greg Sado of Alpha Inc., Water Supply Director John Stufflebean, Warren S. Unemori Engineering Senior Project Manager Derek Ono, DHHL Maui District Supervisor Antoinette “Tony” Eaton and Fukumoto Engineering President Ronald Fukumoto. The blessing was done by Kimokeo Kapahulehua. — MAUI COUNTY / MIA A‘I photos

A blessing and groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday for a new county water source project on 10.5 acres of former pineapple land below the West Maui Mountains in Honokowai.

The Maui County Department of Water Supply project will develop the Kahana Well, which is currently an exploratory well, and other improvements, such as constructing a well pump, control tank, chlorination system housing, electrical upgrades, access road and other work.

Expected to come online in 2025, the Kahana Well will provide a much-needed additional water source and improve reliability to the county’s water system in West Maui, according to a county news release.

“The well will provide additional water supply for the Lahaina and Napili areas, which are served by the county system,” Water Supply Director John Stufflebean said. “When operational, the well will provide a significant source of additional water to reduce the projected shortage in West Maui. Water sources include County of Maui wells and surface water treated at the two county treatment plants in West Maui.”

More than a decade in the making, the nearly $16 million West Maui Water Source Development Project is federally funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The project’s environmental assessment received a finding of no significant impact in 2019.

The Kahana Well is located in the county’s West Maui water system northern region but will serve both northern and southern areas, the county said. It will draw about 0.96 million gallons per day from the Honolua Aquifer based on an operational schedule of 16 hours of pumping per 24-hour period. Essentially, 700 residential users could be supported by the well.