OHA hails Nā Wai 'Ehā recommendations

By Ka Wai Ola Staff

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is hailing the recommendations of a hearings officer to the State Commission on Water Resource Management to restore tens of millions of gallons per day of water to the streams of Nā Wai 'Ehā o Maui: Waikapū, 'Īao, Wai'ehu and Waihe'e. These streams, which once supported extensive kalo cultivation, have been drained almost dry for more than a century by ditches that diverted the water to irrigate sugar plantations.

In proceedings before the Water Commission, OHA joined with the Maui community organizations Hui O Nā Wai 'Ehā, Maui Tomorrow Foundation and the Maui County Department of Water Supply in urging the Water Commission to restore mauka to makai flow in these streams in order to bring back native stream life to restore the traditional and customary practices such as kalo cultivation, which depends on flowing water.

"Maui's water future will not be bright unless we mālama the streams we depend on," said OHA Maui Trustee Boyd Mossman. "We hope the state government continues these efforts and this direction so that Hawaiians and all the people of Maui will be well served."

Following a lengthy administrative trial, where 77 testimonies were heard over the course of several months, hearing officer Dr. Lawrence Miike agreed. His 210-page proposed decision – which will now go to the full Water Commission for a vote – recommends that a total of 34.5 million gallons per day be restored to the streams: 14 million to Waihe'e, 2.2 million to North Wai'ehu, 1.3 million to South Wai'ehu, 13 million to 'Īao, and 4 million to Waikapū.

"OHA has committed significant resources over the last five years in working with the community on our shared goals for Nā Wai 'Ehā," said OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona. She said the three objectives for OHA are that sufficient water is provided to the kuleana users who have legal rights to the waters, year-round flow of the streams from Pu'u Kukui down to the sea, and permanent protection and management of the watersheds from which the water flows.

Miike has set May 11 as the deadline for the parties to submit exceptions to his proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, decision and order.