Aloha kākou,
The Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) will decide on Tuesday, November 18, on whether to approve a Stream Channel Alteration Permit (SCAP.6438.3) requested by Wasatch Arete TB Holdings (linked to Turtle Bay Resort landowners). The permit would allow the installation of a new concrete culvert system across ʻŌʻio Stream in Kahuku.
This project raises serious community concerns about:
🌧️ Incomplete flood-risk modeling and outdated sea level rise data
🌿 Insufficient Ka Paʻakai Framework Analysis and consultation
🐟 Cumulative ecological and cultural impacts from ongoing stream alteration
We must make sure the Commission hears from the community before making this critical decision.
👉 Please submit your testimony through our quick form by the end of the day Sunday, November 16:
🔗 Submit Testimony Here: https://forms.gle/2htu2e6PD3MPiVda9
Your comments will be included in the official record sent to CWRM ahead of the meeting. The form takes just a few minutes to complete — simply check the statements you agree with and (optionally) share why protecting ʻŌʻio Stream matters to you.
💬 Every voice counts. Let’s stand together to ensure CWRM upholds its kuleana to protect our waters, honor Native Hawaiian rights, and safeguard the health of our ecosystems and communities.
Please submit your testimony by Sunday, November 16, so it can be delivered ahead of the 9:00 AM meeting on November 18.
Meeting information:
COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
DATE: November 18, 2025
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
PLACE: DLNR Boardroom, Kalanimoku Bldg. 1151 Punchbowl St., 1st Floor
Online via Zoom, Meeting ID: 865 3667 1561 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86536671561
The public may also view the live meeting via its live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/@dlnrcwrm/streams
Agenda Link: https://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/agenda/2025/ag20251118.pdf
Staff Submittal Link: https://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/submittal/2025/sb20251118B1.pdf
Mahalo nui for standing in protection of ʻŌʻio Stream and our shared future.
With aloha and gratitude,
Kūpaʻa Kuilima
🌿 linktr.ee/kupaakuilima
P.S. You may also choose to submit testimony directly to CWRM instead of our quick form by following these directions stated on the CWRM agenda:
"To Provide Written Testimony We encourage interested persons to submit written testimony in advance, which will be distributed to Commissioners prior to the meeting and allow a timely review. Please submit written testimony via email to: Suzanne.M.Kariya-Ramos@hawaii.gov or to: dlnr.cwrm@hawaii.gov.
Testimony can also be mailed to P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, Hawaii 96809.
Written testimonies may be posted upon the Commission on Water Resource Management website; as a precaution, please be mindful with any personal information prior to submitting unless you intend it to be shared. Late written testimony will be retained as part of the record and distributed to Commissioners as soon as practicable, but we cannot ensure the Commission will receive it in sufficient time to review, prior to decision-making.
To Provide In-Person Oral Testimony Attend in-person at: 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 To Provide Testimony by Telephone On the day of the meeting at the start of the agenda item you wish to testify on, dial: +1 (719) 359-4580; input the meeting ID and follow the prompts. Enter *6 to mute/unmute; *9 to raise/lower hand.
To Provide Video/Zoom Testimony Send your request in a timely manner to: Suzanne.M.Kariya-Ramos@hawaii.gov with the agenda item you wish to testify on. Once your request has been received, a confirmation email will be sent containing pertinent information. You may testify without signing up in advance.
We kindly ask that all oral/video testimony be limited to not more than two (2) minutes. We also ask that you identify yourself and any affiliation before speaking, but you can choose not to do so."
Support Aloha ʻĀina — Join Kūpaʻa Kuilima’s Raffle Fundraiser!
Aloha kākou,
Support aloha ʻāina and help protect Turtle Bay by entering Kūpaʻa Kuilima’s Raffle Bundle Fundraiser! All proceeds go directly toward safeguarding iwi kūpuna, endangered species, and ensuring our community has a real voice in the future of Kahuku Lewa. We want to continue to fight to protect Turtle Bay, but we can’t do it without your support.
Raffle Details:
Opens: Friday, November 7
Closes: Saturday, November 15
Winners Announced: Sunday, November 16
Entries: $10 each — no limit!
Shipping: $5 within Hawaiʻi / $10 outside Hawaiʻi
Pickup: Available on Oʻahu
Bonus Entry: Like, share, and follow @Kupaakuilima, then tag 3 friends on our raffle post for one extra entry!
Prize Bundles (Valued at $100+ Each):
#1 – Punky Bundle
Punky Aloha 11x14 Art Print
Ulu Print Cooler Bag
Heather Brown Art Print
T-shirt
Volcano Winery White Wine Bottle
#2 – Kai Bundle
Heather Brown Art Print
Photo Print by Zach Noyle
Aloha ʻĀina Trucker Hat from Kahuku Farms
Honua Skincare Set and Pouch
#3 – You Pick Bundle (multiple bundles available; FCFS while supplies last)
Choose any 3 of the following:
T-shirt (variety)
Art Print by Aloha Wares
Art Print by Heather Brown
Trucker Hat from Defend Oʻahu Coalition, Kahuku Farms, or Aloha Collection
Reusable Tote Bag (Kahuku Farms)
Volcano Winery Wine - Blush, White, or Macadamia Nut Honey
Honua Skincare Set and Pouch
Bonus:
The first 50 double entries ($20) will receive a free sticker pack!
Winners will also receive a sticker and a sign (FCFS while supplies last; signs for O’ahu only, no shipping for signs).
How to Enter: Donate via Venmo or by mail, and be sure to give us your contact information:
Venmo: @Kupaakuilima4ever
Venmo Link: https://www.venmo.com/u/Kupaakuilima4ever
Mail checks to:
Kūpaʻa Kuilima
56-193 Pualalea Street
Kahuku, HI 96731
Kūpaʻa Kuilima is now an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donations are tax-deductible. Mahalo nui for standing with us to protect our ʻāina and community; together, we are Kūpaʻa Kuilima!
With aloha,
Kūpaʻa Kuilima
💚 Mahalo Nui to Our Raffle Donors! 💚
Our deepest gratitude to the incredible local businesses and community members who helped make our Kūpaʻa Kuilima Raffle Fundraiser a success! Your generosity fuels our work to protect Turtle Bay, safeguard iwi kūpuna, and keep aloha ʻāina at the heart of our community.
A huge mahalo to our amazing donors:
💚 @AlohaWares
💚 @HonuaSkincare
💚 @KahukuFarms
💚 @DefendOʻahuCoalition
💚 @BrooklynHawaiʻi
💚 @Hausmisfits
…and to all the other individuals and ʻohana who shared, supported, and donated raffle items, we couldn’t have done this without you!
Every contribution strengthens our collective commitment to care for the land, the people, and the generations to come. Together, we are Kūpaʻa Kuilima, steadfast for Kahuku Lewa.
Stay tuned as we announce our raffle winners on Sunday! 🌿✨
✨ HULI25 is here — and Kūpaʻa Kuilima needs your kōkua! ✨
From Nov 1 – Dec 31, you can make your donation go twice as far by supporting #HULI25, the Hawaiʻi People’s Fund’s annual fundshifting campaign! 🌈
When you give through bit.ly/huli2025 and select Kūpaʻa Kuilima from the “Apply My Donation To” dropdown menu, 50% of your gift comes directly to us — fueling our work to protect, restore, and uplift ʻāina, kai, and community across Koʻolauloa and beyond. 🌿
Your contribution strengthens our collective movement for justice and regeneration, helping us stand firm in aloha ʻāina, community education, and systems change. 💪🏽
Let’s make this a season of giving that truly shifts power back to the people! Join us, share this post, and encourage your ʻohana to give today. 💕
➡️ Donate now: bit.ly/huli2025
🗓️ Campaign: Nov 1 – Dec 31
💰 50% of your gift goes to Kūpaʻa Kuilima!