Water law in Hawai‘i has historically been a multilayered issue involving both legal and cultural considerations. Knowledge of local laws and regulations related to real estate, land use, and zoning laws, while also taking into account Native Hawaiian traditions and the state’s rich history are key in advising this area of law.
Our firm has been at the forefront of the development of water rights law in Hawai‘i since before statehood. We help landowners, water system owners, and developers of surface and groundwater sources navigate the unique regulatory and political regime governing water rights in Hawai‘i.
What We Do
- Water Rights Regulatory Proceedings and Litigation
- Appurtenant and Riparian Rights
- Clean Water Act
- Ground Water Management
Attorneys in our Water Resources practice group represent major landowners in contested case hearings before the Commission for Water Resource Management, advise owners of irrigation systems on their rights and obligations, and litigate disputes over appurtenant and riparian rights. We also practice before the Board of Land and Natural Resources on matters relating to water leases and licenses on state land.
- Defended a longstanding client of the Firm against claims challenging the validity of the decision of the Board of Land and Natural Resources to approve the holdover of revocable permits issued to our client relating to its water diversion in the calendar years 2019 and 2020.
- In Re Water Use Permit Applications (Waiahole), 96 Hawai‘i 27, 25 P.3d 802 (2001)/
- Represent major Hawai‘i landowner in proceedings before Commission on Water Resource Management in proceedings involving a petition to amend interim instream flow standards and applications for water use permits.
