Opinion ID: 2655285
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the reservation of water enumerated by

Text: the State Water Code. c. The agency is to apply a presumption in favor of public use, access, enjoyment, and resource protection.27 d. The agency should evaluate each proposal for use on a case-by-case basis, recognizing that there can be no vested rights in the use of public water.28 e. If the requested use is private or commercial, the agency should apply a high level of scrutiny.29 f. The agency should evaluate the proposed use under a “reasonable and beneficial use” standard, which requires examination of the proposed use in relation to other public and private uses.30 Applicants have the burden to justify the proposed water use in light of the trust purposes.31 27 Id. at 142, 154 n.59, 9 P.3d at 454, 466 n.59. 28 Id. at 141, 9 P.3d at 453; Kukui (Molokai), Inc., 116 Hawai#i at 490, 174 P.3d at 329. 29 Wai~hole I, 94 Hawai#i at 142, 9 P.3d at 454. 30 Id. at 161, 9 P.3d at 473. 31 Kukui (Molokai), Inc., 116 Hawai#i at 490, 174 P.3d at 329. 86  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  a. Permit applicants must demonstrate their actual needs and the propriety of draining water from public streams to satisfy those needs.32 b. The applicant must demonstrate the absence of a practicable alternative water source.33 c. If there is a reasonable allegation of harm to public trust purposes, then the applicant must demonstrate that there is no harm in fact or that the requested use is nevertheless reasonable and beneficial.34 d. If the impact is found to be reasonable and beneficial, the applicant must implement reasonable measures to mitigate the cumulative impact of existing and proposed diversions on trust purposes, if the proposed use is to be approved.35