Hawaii Water Service Operations Manager Recognized Nationally for Response During Lahaina Fire

Rhea-AI Summary

John (Kani) Kadowaki, Maui Operations Manager of Hawaii Water Service, a subsidiary of California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT), has been honored with the Living Water Award by the National Association of Water Companies. This recognition comes for his exceptional leadership during the Lahaina wildfire in 2023. Despite personal impact from the fire, Kadowaki led his team to maintain uninterrupted water supply in Ka'anapali and Kapalua service areas, supporting firefighters, residents, and displaced individuals.

Under Kadowaki's guidance, Hawaii Water was the only water provider in West Maui that avoided implementing a boil water advisory or experiencing service outages during and after the tragedy. This was achieved despite significant challenges including communication disruptions, power outages, and access to fuel for generators.

Positive

• Hawaii Water maintained uninterrupted water supply during the Lahaina wildfire
• No boil water advisory or service outages implemented in Hawaii Water's service areas
• Company's efforts potentially prevented fire spread to additional areas of West Maui

Negative

• None.

Insights

Water Utility Management Expert

Kadowaki's exceptional leadership during the Lahaina wildfire underscores the critical role of water utility managers in disaster response. His ability to maintain water supply in Ka'anapali and Kapalua without implementing a boil water advisory is remarkable, especially given the challenging circumstances. This achievement highlights the importance of resilient infrastructure and well-trained personnel in crisis situations.

The recognition from NAWC elevates Hawaii Water's reputation in the industry, potentially strengthening its position for future contracts or regulatory considerations. However, the direct financial impact on California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is likely minimal. Investors should view this as a positive indicator of the company's operational excellence and crisis management capabilities, which could translate to long-term stability and customer trust.

Emergency Response Analyst

Kadowaki's response during the Lahaina fire exemplifies best practices in emergency management. His team's ability to maintain water service amidst communication breakdowns, power outages and fuel shortages demonstrates exceptional preparedness and adaptability. This case study could influence industry standards for disaster response protocols.

For investors, this showcases California Water Service Group's robust risk management and operational resilience. In an era of increasing climate-related disasters, such capabilities can be a significant differentiator. It may lead to lower insurance premiums and potentially higher valuation multiples due to reduced operational risk. However, the immediate financial impact is likely negligible, making this more of a long-term consideration for stakeholders.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NYSE: CWT)—For his leadership to keep water flowing to his local communities during the devastating Lahaina wildfire last year, the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) honored John (Kani) Kadowaki with the Living Water Award during its annual Water Summit today. Kadowaki is the Maui Operations Manager of Hawaii Water Service (Hawaii Water), a subsidiary of California Water Service Group (Group).

The Living Water Award is presented to the regulated water industry professional who best demonstrates excellence in serving the community, colleagues, the industry, or the environment. Although Kadowaki’s own family and home were impacted by the wildfire, he stayed to lead his small but dedicated team of water system operators to keep providing a safe, reliable supply of water to the utility’s Ka’anapali and Kapalua service areas, both during and after the fires.

Kadowaki was instrumental in overseeing operations—which was short-staffed due to team members being impacted by the fire—to provide a steady source of water to firefighters trying to stop the fire in Lahaina from spreading into adjacent Ka’anapali and beyond, to residents, and to hotels that were housing both tourists and displaced locals. Under his leadership, Hawaii Water became the only water provider in West Maui that did not need to implement a boil water advisory or experience water service outages during and after the tragedy. Kadowaki and his team accomplished this despite significant challenges, such as the prolonged lack of reception for cell phones, satellite phones, and two-way radios; widespread power outages; extremely limited access to diesel fuel to run generators that were critical to keep the water systems online; worry about their families and homes; and a lack of sleep.

“The devastation and loss witnessed in the Lahaina Fire were truly unfathomable, and although his own family was impacted, Kani’s aloha for his community compelled him to lead his team and keep safe, clean water flowing to our customers and community,” said Marty Kropelnicki, Group Chairman and CEO. “I appreciate the recognition NAWC has given Kani on behalf of his team, and I’m incredibly proud of him for receiving this honor on behalf of the entire Hawaii Water team.”

“Kani and the Hawaii Water team on Maui showed incredible strength and dedication, working tirelessly around the clock in the most difficult of circumstances and developing creative solutions to keep the water system operating properly,” Kropelnicki added. “I believe that the team’s efforts to keep firefighters supplied with the water they needed kept the fire from spreading into our service areas and impacting more of West Maui.”

About California Water Service Group
California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is the largest regulated water utility in the western United States. It provides high-quality, reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2.1 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Texas through its regulated subsidiaries, California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, and Washington Water Service, and its utility holding company, Texas Water Service. 

Group’s purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers, communities, employees, and stockholders. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company’s 1,200+ 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 company has been named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” and the “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” by Newsweek, a Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work^®. More information is available at www.calwatergroup.com.

Media Contact
Yvonne Kingman
ykingman@calwater.com
310-257-1434

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82d0f7d9-8128-4a02-b296-b51ac4f9b7f5

FAQ

What award did John Kadowaki of Hawaii Water Service (CWT) receive for his efforts during the Lahaina fire?

John Kadowaki received the Living Water Award from the National Association of Water Companies for his leadership in maintaining water supply during the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

How did Hawaii Water Service (CWT) perform during the 2023 Lahaina wildfire?

Hawaii Water Service was the only water provider in West Maui that did not implement a boil water advisory or experience water service outages during and after the wildfire.

What challenges did Hawaii Water Service (CWT) face during the Lahaina wildfire in 2023?

The company faced challenges including lack of communication reception, widespread power outages, access to diesel fuel for generators, and operating with a short-staffed team.

How did Hawaii Water Service's (CWT) efforts impact the spread of the Lahaina fire in 2023?

The company's efforts to maintain water supply for firefighters potentially prevented the fire from spreading into their service areas and impacting more of West Maui.