Introduction

Incorporating Historical Spring Discharge Protection Into Sustainable Groundwater Management: A Case Study From Pearl Harbor Aquifer, Hawai‘i

Using a simulation optimization framework, this study incorporates a spring discharge for a watercress farm into the analysis of sustainable yield for operationalizing groundwater policy in the state of Hawai‘i. The research provides decision-makers with information regarding the trade-off between groundwater pumping and spring discharge, which is connected to multiple benefits.

Incorporating Historical Spring Discharge Protection Into Sustainable Groundwater Management: A Case Study From Pearl Harbor Aquifer, Hawai‘i

Figure 1. Location of four (sub-) aquifer units (Ewa-Kunia, Waipahu-Waiawa, Waimalu, and Moanalua), Sumida Farm (within Kalauao spring complex) and other coastal springs situated in the Pearl Harbor aquifer of O‘ahu (from Burnett et al. 2020).
Figure 1. Location of four (sub-) aquifer units (Ewa-Kunia, Waipahu-Waiawa, Waimalu, and Moanalua), Sumida Farm (within Kalauao spring complex) and other coastal springs situated in the Pearl Harbor aquifer of O‘ahu (from Burnett et al. 2020).

SPONSOR:
National Science Foundation – EPSCoR’s ‘Ike Wai

PROJECT PERIOD:
10/2017 – 05/2021

PROJECT PIs:
Gwen Jacobs, and Aly El-Kadi (Senior Researcher)

ABSTRACT:
Groundwater management policy around the world increasingly seeks to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems and associated human uses and values, which includes ecosystems and agricultural systems linked to natural spring discharge. Yet, there are few examples of practical tools to balance human groundwater use with ecological water demand related to spring discharge. Using a simulation optimization framework, we directly incorporated a spring discharge constraint into the analysis of sustainable yield for operationalizing groundwater policy in the state of Hawai‘i. Our application on the island of O‘ahu is a spring discharge-dependent watercress farm with historical, cultural, and ecological significance. This research provides decision-makers in Hawai‘i with information regarding the trade-off between groundwater pumping and spring discharge, which is connected to multiple benefits, including historical and cultural values in line with codified state beneficial use protections. Because this trade-off provides an important step in operationalizing sustainable yield policy in Hawai‘i, we concluded by discussing further conceptual and technical developments necessary to move groundwater policy in Hawai‘i closer to complete incorporation of the public trust principles of the state water code.

Project Publication:
Burnett, K.M., A.S. Elshall, C.A. Wada, A. Arik, A. El-Kadi, C.I. Voss, J.M.S. Delevaux, and L. Bremer. 2020. Incorporating historical spring discharge protection into sustainable groundwater management: A case study from Pearl Harbor Aquifer, Hawai‘i. Frontiers in Water. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2020.00014

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR