As part of implementing its 2022 Water Use and Development Plan for Maui Island, the Maui County Department of Water Supply will hold community meetings in six regions to assess water needs and to facilitate discussions about drought, reliable water supply and wildfire risk.

The department is responsible for drafting and implementing the Water Use and Development Plan. The plan is not meant to cover only those systems that belong to the county. It aims to address all water systems, resources and consumers within the County.

"For this series of meetings, we are especially interested in hearing from rural residents, farmers, people who believe they are especially vulnerable to drought or wildfire and residents that are not served by the Department of Water Supply or other public water systems," the department said in an announcement.

Community input will help to guide decisions about implementation and future updates of the Water Use and Development Plan.

The first meeting will be held in the Hāna Sector from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Helene Hall.

Other meetings include:

Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 808-463-3110 or visit the department's website at https://waterresources.mauicounty.gov/.