Arakawa signaled some new directions in policy, including treating East Maui as the major future water source on the island.
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Indicating a shift in his strategy on water planning, Arakawa said that for the long term, he would again pursue the development of water systems in East Maui, which he called "the most obvious source of our island's future water supply."

When he first took office, Arakawa canceled a Board of Water Supply plan to develop 10 wells in East Maui after the East Maui Water Development Plan was challenged by a group of residents and farmers who argued it would interrupt springs and stream flows. Later he pointed to desalinization as a solution to the island's water inadequacies.

On Thursday, Arakawa said he would try to balance the needs of East Maui residents with those of the larger community.

"We must find a way to tap that resource without disrupting the host community's wells and collection systems," he said.

In overall water policies, Arakawa also called for a "paradigm shift" that would prioritize "Native Hawaiian traditional and cultural rights, the health of our environment, and the public good, over the profit interests of corporate entities."

Arakawa is engaged in a bid to take over water systems and ditches in upper Wailuku presently owned by Wailuku Agribusiness. The company has said the county may buy the entire 13,000-acre watershed for more than $27 million but isn't legally entitled to purchase the ditches and intakes alone.

Arakawa asked for the support of the County Council "in acting to protect the public's interest in those water resources" should Wailuku Agribusiness and other private businesses fail to act for the community good.