February 1, 2026 Service Industry News Page 5

The Maui County Council has advanced legislation that would temporarily prohibit the construction of new private swimming pools in West Maui, citing water conservation needs and the region’s ongoing recovery from the August 8, 2023, wildfires.

Bill 161, introduced by West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin, chair of the Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee, passed first reading after the Council adopted Committee Report 26-3. If approved on second and final reading, the measure would bar county agencies from issuing permits for new private swimming pools in West Maui through at least the end of the decade.

“This is something that the community has been asking me for, and I respectfully ask for the members’ support of my motion,” Paltin said during deliberations.

Legislative findings within the bill state that “supplying water to support stable housing for West Maui residents is an urgent priority.” Council members pointed to low rainfall, rebuilding demands, and an existing Stage 1 water shortage declaration as reasons for acting now. County leaders emphasized that the broader goal is safeguarding potable water supplies during wildfire recovery and housing reconstruction.

“Ensuring water availability to support growing housing needs is paramount,” Paltin said.

If enacted, the interim ban would remain in place until December 31, 2030, or until specific regional water benchmarks are met. Those conditions include completion of a three-phase groundwater availability study and a determination by the State Commission on Water Resource Management that the water system’s reliable capacity exceeds demand, including pre-fire usage levels.

The bill includes several exemptions. Pools would be allowed for Lahaina homes being rebuilt if a pool existed prior to the fire. Repairs and maintenance of existing pools would continue, as would construction of public swimming pools. Applications that were