News Releases

See current news releases and media advisories from the Board of Water Supply.

  • Board of Water Supply Board Transfers Ha‘ikū Stairs to the City

    The Board of Water Supply (BWS) has transferred ownership of Ha‘ikū Stairs and all the land around it to the City and County of Honolulu. The transfer is official as of today, July 1, 2020. The city will now be responsible to maintain security until an operator is chosen.

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  • Water System Improvement Project in Waianae

    Integrated Construction, Inc., the Board of Water Supply’s contractor for the Puhawai Road, Kuwale Road and Puuhulu Road Water System Improvements project is scheduled to begin work on July 6, 2020.

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  • Halawa Xeriscape Garden Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale Cancelled Due to COVID-19

    The 32nd Annual Halawa Xeriscape Garden’s Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale, scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2020, has been cancelled to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19 in the community.

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  • BWS Continues Suspension of Water Shut Offs

    The Board of Water Supply (BWS) will continue to extend the suspension of water shut-off for non-payment of water bills through Friday, July 31, 2020.

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  • Board of Water Supply Main Break Information

    If Oahu residents or businesses suspect that a main break may be affecting their water service, they may now check the Board of Water Supply (BWS) website to see if an outage has been reported in their area.

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  • Lanakila Water System Improvement Project

    RMY Construction Inc., the Board of Water Supply’s contractor for the Lanakila Water System Improvement project is scheduled to begin work around the week of June 8, 2020.

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  • BWS Update on Cleaning of Hawaii Loa Ridge Reservoirs

    Board of Water Supply (BWS) crews have fully restored water service to the Hawaii Loa 800’ Reservoir that underwent cleaning this past week. Residents between Maono Loop and Moaniala Street are no longer asked to conserve water and may resume normal use.

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  • Pacific Heights Water System Improvement Project

    MEI Corporation, the Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) contractor for the Pacific Heights Water System Improvements Part II project is scheduled to begin work on June 8. The renewal of the water system will improve water service reliability for customers in the area.

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  • Ala Aolani Water System Improvement Project

    RMY Construction Inc., the Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) contractor for the Ala Aolani Water System Improvement project is scheduled to begin work on June 8. The renewal of the water system will improve water service reliability for customers in the area.

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  • BWS to Clean Reservoir in Hawaii Loa Ridge

    Beginning Monday, June 1, 2020 through the end of the week, the Board of Water Supply (BWS) will be working to clean a reservoir in the Hawaii Loa Ridge area. During this period, the reservoir will be shut off from supplying water and residents between Maono Loop and Moaniala Street are asked to please use water for essential needs only (cooking, drinking, and personal hygiene) until further notice.

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  • BWS Fully Restores Service in Upper Waialae Ike Ridge Water System

    Board of Water Supply (BWS) crews have fully restored water service to the upper Waialae Iki Ridge water system. Residents on Kunihi Place and above are no longer asked to conserve water and may resume normal use.

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  • 2020 Contest Winners

    BWS is pleased to announce the winners of its 2020 Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry Contests.

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  • BWS to Clean Reservoir in Upper Waialae Iki

    Beginning Monday, May 25, through the end of the week, the Board of Water Supply (BWS) will be working to clean a reservoir in the upper Waialae Iki area. The reservoir will be shut off from supplying water. During this period residents on Kunihi Place and above are asked to please use water for essential needs only (cooking, drinking and hygiene) until further notice.

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  • BWS Fully Restores Service in Waialae Iki Ridge Water System

    Board of Water Supply (BWS) crews have fully restored water service to the Waialae Iki Ridge water system. Residents along the following streets are no longer asked to conserve water and may resume normal use: Kalani Iki Ridge, Laukahi St from Laamia St to Kuhilani St, and Palaole St.

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  • BWS Performing Supplemental Chlorination to Waialae Iki Ridge Water System

    Board of Water Supply (BWS) crews are working to fully restore water service and bring a reservoir in Waialae Iki back online. As part of this process crews will be performing supplemental chlorination of all reservoirs in the Waialae Iki Ridge area. Customers may experience elevated chlorine taste in the water. The elevated levels are not harmful and the water will be safe to drink.

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  • BWS Continues to Work on Reservoir in the Waialae Iki Area

    Board of Water Supply (BWS) continues to work on cleaning a reservoir in the Waialae Iki area that is expected to take until the end of the week. During this period we ask the residents of the impacted streets to use water for essential needs only (cooking, drinking and hygiene.

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  • BWS Service Restored in Kalani Iki and Waialae Iki

    Board of Water Supply (BWS) has restored water service to the Kalani Iki and lower Waialae Iki areas. Customers should run their taps for a few minutes before using the water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth.

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  • BWS OK's Water for Cooking and Drinking in Kalani Iki and Waialae Iki

    Board of Water Supply (BWS) crews have addressed a water system issue that was causing dirty water in the Kalani Iki and lower Waialae Iki areas. Customers should run their taps for a few minutes before using the water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth.

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  • BWS Responding to Dirty Water Issue in Kalani Iki and Waialae Iki

    Board of Water Supply (BWS) crews are working to address a water system issue that is causing dirty water in the Kalani Iki and lower Waialae Iki areas. Customers experiencing dirty water are advised not to use it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. It is okay to use the water for flushing toilets.

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  • Board of Water Supply Updates to COVID-19 Policies

    The Board of Water Supply (BWS) would like to share updated COVID-19 policies with the community.

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  • Board of Water Supply Board Makes Decision on Haiku Stairs - Transfer to City

    The Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) board members, at their April 27, 2020, board meeting Monday night, unanimously passed a motion to transfer ownership of Haiku Stairs and all the land around it to the City and County of Honolulu.

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  • BWS Reminds Public that Kalihi Ice Pond is Closed and It is Illegal to Access and Hike

    During this time of pandemic crisis, the Board of Water Supply (BWS) wants to re-emphasize that access to Kalihi Ice Pond is illegal. The area is a protected watershed and violators will be cited and can face fines up to $2,000 and time in jail.

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  • Board of Water Supply Takes Up Haiku Stairs at April 27 Board Meeting

    The Board of Water Supply's (BWS) board will take up the issue of Haiku Stairs at their April 27, 2020 board meeting.

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  • BWS Reminds Public Haiku Stairs is Closed and It is Illegal to Access and Hike

    During this time of pandemic crisis, the Board of Water Supply wants to re-emphasize that Haiku Stairs is closed to the public and to access or climb the stairs is illegal. Violators will be cited and can face fines up to $2,000 and time in jail.

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  • Board of Water Supply Will No Longer Accept Appointments

    In accordance with the City shutting down the Satellite City Halls to all traffic including appointments, the Board of Water Supply will be doing the same starting today until further notice.

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  • Honolulu Board of Water Supply's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

    As information regarding coronavirus continues to evolve, we want to inform the community that the Board of Water Supply (BWS) is taking every precaution to ensure that we provide safe, dependable and affordable water service for Oahu.

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  • Honolulu Board of Water Supply Sells Bonds at Record Low Interest Rates

    On Wednesday, March 11, the Board of Water Supply (BWS) successfully sold $106.635 million of Water System Revenue Bonds.  Proceeds from the bonds will be used to finance new projects, conduct repair and maintenance of the water system, and refinance outstanding debt.

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  • BWS & Hardware Hawaii Kick Off Detect-A-Leak Week Campaign

    The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS), in partnership with Hardware Hawaii, is launching Detect-A-Leak Week from March 16-22, 2020, to encourage all Oahu residents to check for property leaks.

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  • Xeric Seed of the Month

    The month of March features the Yellow African Iris cutting at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden.

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  • Painting Dragonfly

    The third of our “Paint in the Garden” series, this season is a fun-filled, NO PAINTING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED workshop! Participants will receive step by step instructions from start to finish while learning how the Dragonfly are beneficial to have in your garden. This exciting, hands-on workshop is offered by the Board of Water Supply (BWS), Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden (FOHXG) and Erika Brown, member of FOHXG.

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  • Waiau Water System Improvements Project

    Integrated Construction, Inc., the Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) contractor for the Waiau Water System Improvements project is scheduled to begin work on March 13. The installation of new water mains will improve water service reliability for customers in the area.

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  • Notice of Potential Financing

    The Honolulu Board of Water Supply expects to issue tax-exempt and taxable Water System Revenue Bonds (the “Bonds”) to finance approximately $134.2 million for new money purposes and to potentially advance refund outstanding Water System Revenue Bonds.

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  • Xeric Critters Workshop

    Create custom made critter planters! A hands-on workshop offered by the Board of Water Supply (BWS) and Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden (FOHXG) will show you how to create a xeric critter planter out of a recycled 2-liter bottle.

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  • Mālama ʻĀina at Halawa Xeriscape Garden

    We all play a role in taking care of our natural resources, including our beautiful watersheds and precious water resources. If you have ever wanted to learn about Xeriscape and how to conserve water outdoors, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and the FOHXG are hosting Mālama ʻĀina at Halawa Xersicape Garden. Everyone from kids to adults are invited to get their hands dirty while also learning how to conserve our precious water resource through Xeriscape.

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  • Introduction to Native Hawaiian Plants Workshop

    Gain an introduction to native Hawaiian plants and learn how to incorporate them into your living space. Learn why these plants are special and how you can use less water by incorporating them into your homes, gardens and lawns. This workshop is offered by the Board of Water Supply (BWS) and Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden (FOHXG).

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  • Painting Plumeria Workshop

    The second of our “Paint in the Garden,” Series for this new workshop schedule is a fun-filled, NO PAINTING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED workshop! Participants will receive step-by-step instructions from start to finish. As they complete their masterpiece they will learn about the care and unique characteristics of the Plumeria.

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  • How to Make and Use Bokashi Compost Workshop

    A hands-on workshop offered by the Board of Water Supply (BWS), Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden (FOHXG), Jan Nadamoto will teach you how to make your own Bokashi mix and produce compost in a manageable space without smell, bugs, or heat.

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  • Rain Barrel Water Catchment Workshop

    An informational workshop offered by the Board of Water Supply (BWS) and Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden (FOHXG) explains how collecting rain water reduces the amount of drinking water used for irrigating landscapes. Participants will learn about rain barrel catchment systems, important construction points, installation, and effective maintenance techniques.

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  • Final Environmental Impact Statement for Haiku Stairs

    The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that will determine the future of Haiku Stairs has been published in the January 23, 2020, Environmental Notice by the Office of Environmental Quality Control.

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  • Advanced Aquaponics Workshop

    The Board of Water Supply (BWS) and the Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden (FOHXG) are pleased to offer an “Advanced Aquaponics” workshop.

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  • Rock Your Garden Workshop

    Discover why using scientific names for our plants is important. Make it fun to use those names and create permanent rock labels you can place by your plants.

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  • BWS to Conduct Change-Out of Automated Meter Reading Transponder Units

    A Board of Water Supply (BWS) contractor, Royal Contracting Company, will be conducting a change-out of its automated meter reading (AMR) meter transponder units in its meter boxes over the next year, beginning this month.  The BWS will be replacing approximately 80,000 of these units in various locations throughout Oahu at a cost of about $5 million.

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  • Xeric Seed of the Month

    The month of January features a Ti Plant cutting. Ti plants can be used in outdoor landscapes as an accent hedge, screen, and foundation or background planting. Its color variations of red leaves, green and variegated can add an exciting color to your landscape. Ti plants also makes an excellent container plant on a deck or lanai.

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