Hawaii Water Service Awards $37,500 to County of Maui's Department of Fire and Public Safety, Kauai Fire Department Through Inaugural Firefighter Grant Program

Hawaii Water Service Awards $37,500 to County of Maui's Department of Fire and Public Safety, Kauai Fire Department Through Inaugural Firefighter Grant Program

KA'ANAPALI, Hawaii-Hawaii Water Service has awarded nearly $29,500 to the County of Maui's Department of Fire and Public Safety and $8,000 to the Kauai Fire Department as part of the utility's inaugural Firefighter Grant Program. These grants will help each county offset the cost of equipment that helps first responders save lives and property and support firefighter wellness.

Hawaii Water's grant will enable Maui County to obtain seven portable, high-pressure pumps with accessories and seven thermal cameras. The portable pumps will help crews draw water directly from available water sources even without fire hydrants. The thermal cameras will help firefighters identify hotspots.

Kauai County will be able to obtain equipment that helps support firefighter health, wellness, and physical recovery at its Fire Station 4. The firefighters of Station 4 serve the Koloa and Poipu areas.

Hawaii Water has provided wastewater service to parts of Koloa and Poipu since 2024, and has served parts of West Maui since 2003 and Pukalani since 2008.

"At Hawaii Water Service, we are dedicated to our Hawaii communities, and this commitment goes beyond providing the safe, reliable water and wastewater service our customers depend on," said Geoff Fulks, General Manager of Hawaii Water. "Partnering with the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety and Kauai Fire Department is a natural fit, as water is critically important to protecting our local communities. We are pleased to help provide some of the key equipment that will augment their efforts."

Bradford K. Ventura, Fire Chief of Maui County's Department of Fire & Public Safety, said the grant will provide firefighters with critical equipment that enhances their ability to respond to wildfires and protect the community. "This generous grant from Hawaii Water Service will equip our crews with additional thermal imaging cameras, and portable wildland fire pumps. These tools help us in our mission to protect lives and property in Maui County," Ventura said. "Thermal imagers augment our ability to locate hidden fires, while the wildland pumps allow us to draw water from ponds, swimming pools, and other static water sources to fight fires in areas where we may not have access to fire hydrants."

The grants are funded through parent company California Water Service Group's philanthropic giving program and do not affect customer rates.

About Hawaii Water Service

Hawaii Water Service provides high-quality, reliable water and/or wastewater services to residents, businesses, and resorts on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island through about 6,800 water or wastewater service connections. Hawaii Water's purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers and communities. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company's employees live by a set of strong core values and share a commitment to protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity. The utility, commemorating a century of service this year, has been named one of "America's Most Responsible Companies" and the "World's Most Trustworthy Companies" by Newsweek, a USA Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work®. More information is available at https://www.hawaiiwaterservice.com.

Released September 16, 2026