Hawaii Water Service Manager Honored for Steadfast Leadership
John (Kani) Kadowaki, Maui Operations Manager at Hawaii Water Service, has been recognized with the National Association of Water Companies’ (NAWC) Living Water Award at the organization’s annual Water Summit. The honor acknowledges his work to keep water flowing for customers and first responders during the catastrophic Lahaina wildfire last year—when continuity wasn’t just important, it was essential.
Leadership in the Middle of a Crisis
As the fires spread, Kadowaki led a small but determined team of water system operators to protect a basic necessity: safe, reliable water. Even while his own family faced the impacts of the fire, he chose to stay in the field, coordinating crews, making hard calls, and keeping service steady under pressure most of us never see. His leadership was the kind that shows up, hour after hour.
Obstacles Met—and Overcome
The challenges were stark. Team members were personally affected by the fire, which strained staffing at a moment when every set of hands mattered. Despite that, Kadowaki directed operations to keep a steady supply of water available to firefighters on the front lines, residents sheltering in place, and hotels supporting tourists and displaced community members. Hawaii Water remained the only provider in West Maui not to issue a boil water advisory or encounter water service outages—a clear measure of how effectively the team navigated the crisis.
Resilience, Continuity, and Community
Power went down. Communications failed. Fuel for generators ran short. Through it all, Kadowaki supported his team through long shifts and an exhausting pace, keeping focus on one priority: the community’s safety and well-being. Maintaining water service wasn’t just about fighting the fire; it sustained daily life—cooking, cleaning, basic health—when normal routines were upended. Operational continuity became a lifeline.
Words of Appreciation
Marty Kropelnicki, the Group Chairman and CEO, praised Kadowaki’s commitment, stating, "The devastation and loss witnessed in the Lahaina Fire were truly unfathomable. Kani’s aloha for his community compelled him to lead his team and keep safe, clean water flowing to our customers." The acknowledgment reflects the resolve of the entire Hawaii Water team in an extraordinary moment.
About California Water Service Group
Hawaii Water Service is a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, the largest regulated water utility in the western United States. The Group serves more than 2.1 million people across multiple states, providing high-quality water and wastewater services. Its mission centers on improving quality of life for customers and communities while investing in sustainable infrastructure and long-term resilience.
Core Values and Community Commitment
With a workforce of over 1,200 employees, the company is guided by core values that emphasize environmental stewardship, community care, and operational integrity. Its recognition as one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” underscores a consistent focus on accountability and service—put simply, doing right by the people and places it serves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John (Kani) Kadowaki?
He’s the Maui Operations Manager for Hawaii Water Service, recognized for leading his team and maintaining reliable water service during the Lahaina wildfire.
What is the Living Water Award?
It’s an honor presented by the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) at its annual Water Summit to recognize exceptional service and leadership in the water industry.
Why was Kadowaki’s leadership during the wildfire notable?
He stayed on the front lines despite personal hardship, coordinated a small team during staffing shortages, and helped ensure uninterrupted, safe water when the community needed it most.
How did Hawaii Water Service keep water flowing amid outages and shortages?
By sustaining around-the-clock operations despite power failures, communication breakdowns, and limited fuel, the team maintained service to firefighters, residents, and hotels sheltering tourists and displaced individuals.
What does California Water Service Group focus on beyond daily operations?
The Group aims to enhance quality of life by delivering reliable water and wastewater services while investing in sustainable infrastructure, guided by values rooted in stewardship, community, and integrity.
