WAILUKU, Hawaii — The Hawaii water commission has ordered the full restoration of flows to 10 Maui streams and ordered no or limited diversions for seven streams to restore habitats.
WAILUKU, Hawaii — The Hawaii water commission has ordered the full restoration of flows to 10 Maui streams and ordered no or limited diversions for seven streams to restore habitats.
The Maui News reports the decision Wednesday by the state Commission on Water Resource Management concludes a nearly two-decade battle over east Maui water rights that matched Native Hawaiian taro farmers and practitioners against Hawaii land owner Alexander & Baldwin Inc.
A group of taro farmers, fishermen, hunters and traditional practitioners had filed a petition to amend the flow standards of more than two dozen streams that A&B has historically diverted for its sugar cane fields. The group claimed diverting water negatively impacted stream life, taro farming and other Native Hawaiian practices.
An A&B spokesman says the company is reviewing the decision.
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Information from: The Maui News, http://www.mauinews.com
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A & B as well as all sugar companies have benefited financially since their ancestors overthrew the Hawaiian government so they could flood the market back in the States. They still think they “own” this water and now wants to divert it to development when they have deprived the Hawaiians for so long.
Over development creates overpopulation that require more roads, schools, sewage desposal, higher costs for food and water depletion just like on Oahu, where the water table is beginning to show its inability to supply the whole island and in danger of salt water intrusion to its acquifer. The same will happen to Maui.