Water as a System
Remarks by Kyle Datta, General Partner, Ulupono. Presented at “Water Studies at UH: Next Generation Possibilities” – Kapiolani Community College, Oahu, Hawaii – November 13, 2014.
Aloha and Good Morning to Everyone.
Water is a system that unites and divides us. The water system encompassed in the hydrological cycle integrates agriculture, energy, urban development, culture, watersheds, and the environment. This understanding of managing water as a system goes to the very roots of Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian creation chant, “Aia I Hea Ka Wai a Kane”, translated means, “Where are the waters of Kane?”. This chant is a series of riddles that reveal the hydrological cycle of these islands.
At Ulupono, our mission is to increase the amount of local food and energy while minimizing waste. Since we take a systems perspective in our investments, we asked the question, “Do we have enough land and water to achieve our societal goals?” We commissioned a three-year effort by the Energy Institute of University of Texas, Austin using East Maui as an example of the systems approach. The findings are profound, not only here, but also nationally:
- We have already reached the age of peak water. We must take the reality of peak water into account in our future water planning.
- Climate change is and will continue to reduce the amount of water captured in all islands. Overall, the state has 6 percent less rainfall already, and this will accelerate as the oceans warm and air currents change.
- Climate change will accelerate species loss as rainfall shifts and temperature rise increases the range of invasive species.
- Current course is unsustainable — Maui will run out of water. Indeed, Oahu faces a similar fate, as both counties mine the groundwater aquifers at an unsustainable rate.