Former pineapple fields need new water source

One of Hawaii’s largest produce farmers needs a major new source of potable water to realize a plan that would expand the local vegetable and fruit supply using former pineapple fields owned by the state in Kunia.

Waikele Farms Inc., led by Larry Jefts, has submitted a draft environmental assessment with the state Office of Environmental Quality Control for drilling a 1,000-foot well to irrigate 487 acres of fallow former pineapple fields the company leased last year from the state Agribusiness Development Corp.

The assessment said the site has an insufficient water supply to grow the crops planned by Jefts — cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, watermelons, cabbage or bananas. Because of requirements imposed by food quality rules and wholesalers, the water needs to be potable, or drinkable, the report said. The report added that none of the water is destined for domestic use.

“It is critical to the operation to have continuous access to clean water for irrigation,” Jefts’ company said in the assessment. “Without a guaranteed supply the parcel cannot be used for farming.”

The report said the farm will need about 1.2 million gallons of water per day during dry periods. The well would be capable of pumping that amount at most.

Jefts also is proposing to create three reservoirs to store water on the property, which had long been farmed in pineapple by Del Monte until that company ceased its Hawaii operations in 2009.

Approval of the well would be subject to a permit from the state Commission on Water Resource Management.