Living Water Award 2024 Nominee

John “Kani” Kadowaki

Operations Manager, Hawaii Water Service

During the Lahaina Fire in August 2023, Kani led a small team to ensure a safe, reliable water supply. Despite numerous challenges, Kani coordinated operations to provide water to firefighters, hotels, trapped tourists, and displaced locals. His leadership ensured that the Ka’anapali and Kapalua service areas avoided boil water advisories and outages, crucial for containing the fire. Even though he and his team were personally affected, Kani stayed positive, motivating his team to keep the water system operational and safe, reflecting his deep commitment to his community.