The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles. - Baron de Montesquieu

1. SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT – GOTTCHA
ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER
Na Wai 'Eha ruling an aid for county's acquisition
But Wailuku Water Co. says system purchase is lagging, updated rates might be set
By Kehaulani Cerizo, The Maui News, July 5, 2021
<https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2021/07/na-wai-eha-ruling-an-aid-for-countys-acquisition/>
[The] Wailuku Water Co. has sought for nearly two decades to sell its water delivery system,
along with nearly 9,000 acres of Na Wai 'Eha watershed land in the West Maui Mountains. The
county in the past had considered buying the company's assets, including the water delivery
system and the land, for $9.5 million. Instead the county is now working on “bifurcating”
the purchase and evaluating anticipated costs for the system alone.
Chumbley* said that several complexities of operating the water system are misunderstood by the
general public, such as inconsistencies in gauging, monitoring and enforcement, especially in
light of climate change and worsening drought conditions. He also said there's a widespread
belief that the system is in “disarray,” and he has echoed that the system is “functioning and
reliable.” It can be trusted to bring water to those who need it, whether for agricultural or
traditional and customary purposes, Chumbley said. “It is old, but it is extremely vital,” he said.
“Moving into a 21st century-type function is a good thing for all of us. That's the one positive
direction that I think we’re headed in. This is 115-year-old sugar plantation-based system, and
it’s going to have to change.”
* Wailuku Water Co. President Avery Chumbley [Clarification Supplied]
___________________________________________________________________
GROWING RISKS FOR REGULATED WATER UTILITY INVESTORS
By George Fisher, Guiding Mast Investments, Seeking Alpha, December 21, 2020
<https://seekingalpha.com/article/4395550-growing-risks-for-regulated-water-utility-investors>
➢ Water utilities pose a growing investment risk, putting unsuspecting investors at greater peril
than other utilities – including the dreaded natural gas utilities.
➢ Investors need to assess topics like affordability and quality of potable water, water as a
“human right,” and risks associated with providing potable water.
➢ While total returns have been stellar, current market valuations plus increasing risks should
make water utility investors pause and reflect.
DUN & BRADSTREET
<https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.wailuku_water_company_llc.8ac8737d0912ae2056d5c2cc2f61aff2.html>
Company Description
WAILUKU WATER COMPANY, LLC is located in Wailuku, HI, United States and is part of
the Water & Sewer Utilities Industry. Wailuku Water Company, LLC has 2 total employees
across all of its locations and generates $223,028 in sales (USD). [Emphasis Supplied]
Website Key Principal
www.mauicounty.gov Avery B Chumbley

2. When you have a home team in charge of the official book,
that's like the fox guarding the hen house
Troy Allen
_____________________
THE HAWAII PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION DOES NOT REGULATE
MUNICIPAL WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITY SERVICES.
IF YOUR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY LOCAL CITY OR COUNTY
GOVERNMENTS AND YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING YOUR BILL OR
SERVICE, CONTACT YOUR MUNICIPAL WATER OR WASTEWATER PROVIDER.
Municipal Water Service Providers
County of Maui – Department of Water Supply
Municipal Wastewater Service Providers
County of Maui – Department of Public Works and Environmental Management,
Wastewater Administration
Source: Hawaii Public Utilities Commission <https://cca.hawaii.gov/dca/water/municipal_service_providers/>
_____________________
The words transparency, integrity and honesty are included by candidates to express their
qualifications for office. These words become sources of complaint by the electorate after the
election and diminish the effectiveness and efficiency of the elected public official.
Of late the citizenry have become disenchanted with executive and legislative branches of Maui
County government. Both the Mayor and Council Members are assailed as being dishonest,
corrupt, liars and acting with disregard of the Public Trust.
_____________________