We see a lot of plant lists recommending different kinds of plants. Don't take plant lists literally. On the Big Island, for example, soil types vary. In fact, your soil type will vary from one side of your yard to the other. If you live on the edge of a stream, you can plant a high water use plant by that stream and never water it.
Some plants take as much water during their first year of establishment as any other plant.
Plant lists make the people who made the list feel better, but they are really not very useful and can do some damage. The most useful type of list tells the requirements of the plant. Then the consumer can analyze their soil, water, and lifestyle needs for the space to be planted and match the appropriate plant to the appropriate space. There is merely a plant in the wrong space. We also believe that while we may have to determine limits on water use, no one should be able to tell anyone else what type of plant they can have in their yard, anymore than they can tell them what type of car to drive or what style of house to buy.