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HRS §174C-14

Buying land for water protection

This law says the state can spend public money to buy or take land to protect water. The water commission can get land by purchase, gift, lease, or eminent domain for flood control and water management. It can acquire streams, beaches, parks, and access areas. Other agencies keep their own powers.

landownersstate agencies

The statute, as written — Acquisition of real property

(a) The legislature declares it to be necessary for the public health and welfare that water and water related resources be conserved and protected. The acquisition of real property for this objective shall constitute a public purpose for which public funds may be expended. (b) The commission may acquire real property and easements by purchase, gift, devise, lease, eminent domain, or otherwise for flood control, water management, or water and water-related resource conservation. (c) Land, water areas, and related resources which may be acquired for this purpose include, but are not limited to, streams and other watercourses, parks and recreation areas, beaches, submerged lands, and other open areas, as well as necessary access sites and rights-of-way. (d) This section does not limit the exercise of similar powers delegated by statute to any state or local government agency. This section is not intended to limit, in any way, the powers of the commission in regards to the acquisition of real property under any other statute.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.