Manager's Message

Aloha!  Welcome to the Department of Water Supply's web page. We hope this site is useful, informative, and helps you get to know your water department. All the information about Hawai‘i County’s water supply is here, making it easy for you to find what you need.

We are dedicated to our duty to manage and operate Hawai‘i County’s water system because we know water is a vital necessity.  We stand behind our motto, "Water, Our Most Precious Resource…Ka Wai A Kāne," and are very proud to be your supplier of this special life-giving product.  

The Department of Water is dedicated to meeting and satisfying the needs of our customers, and stands ready to meet the challenges of the 21^st century. Our active and engaged Water Board was involved in devising our 20 Year Water Plan, written in 2006.  This plan helps to ensure our water systems continue to operate effectively for the next 20 years and beyond.

You can do your part by using our precious drinking water wisely, mahalo.

Milton D. Pavao, P.E., Manager

Department of Water Supply, County of Hawai‘i

Born and raised in Kea‘au (formerly Ōla‘a), Hawai‘i, Mr. Pavao attended Kea‘au Elementary and Intermediate School and Hilo High School.  He went on to University of Hawai‘i, Hilo and Mānoa Campuses where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in May 1972.  Mr. Pavao began his career with the Department of Water Supply in July 1972 and obtained his professional engineer's license in July 1975.  Prior to his appointment as Manager of the Department of Water Supply on January 3, 1995, he was the Engineering Section Head.  He now resides in Kea‘au, in the Puna District of the Big Island.