Ka Leo o Na Koa, December 12, 2014

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Ka Leo o Nā Koa

Volume X

Issue 2

December 12, 2014

A1

On heels of historic win, Nā Wai ʻEhā’s latest battle:

Hui tackles continuity next By FAITH OWAN news writer The cases where Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā fought for equal water distribution on Maui from 2004-2012 have spurred both community conversation and action, and the struggle continues as they advocate for stream connectivity. John Duey, president of Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā, and Kyle Nakanelua and Hōkūao Pellegrino, both farmers, spoke about the problem on the campus of Kamehameha Maui, November 25. “It’s been a very emotional rollercoster, and it’s been a struggle,” said Pellegrino, also vice president of Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā.

A Brief History For thousands of years, the streams of Hawaiʻi were free flowing, transporting water from the uplands to the sea, and nourishing everything around them. In the time of the monarchy, it was for all to use; a natural resource for the people of Hawaiʻi. However, in the late 1700’s, when there was contact between Westerners and Hawaiʻi, water became an agricultural product to be bought and sold. By 1880,

Photo used courtesy of Ms. KAʻAWA

Hōkūao Pellegrino, of Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā, vents his frustration about water diversion at the Waikapū Stream intake. Many, including KS students (in the foreground) turned out for the historic release of water into ‘Īao and Wakapū, Oct. 13. Avery Chumbley, president of Wailuku Water Company, back right, is on hand to supervise the release. Hawaiʻi had 90 sugar plantations. Director Ruben Carrillo and producer Dawn Kaniaupio created a documentary film, Ola I Ka Wai, to publicize this issue. In it, they said that the Western style of farming was different from the style island people were used to. It was done for money rather

than sustenance. Both the Waikapū and Wailuku Sugar Companies needed more water than the streams could provide, so they developed the Waiheʻe Canal, basically a concrete culvert. Creating ditches like the Waiheʻe Canal allowed big compaines to

better control these water resources. The ditch could move water from the windward side of the island to the leeward side, where the major sugar plantations were set up. The ditch that took the water to these plantations was dug parallel to the sea. This was in the WATER continued on A4

Kea................................A3

Aotearoa........................A6

Girls Soccer....................D4

INDEX:

NEWS.........................A1 LIFE............................B1 STUDENT SURVEY.........B2 OPINION.....................C1 EDITORIAL CARTOONS..C2 SPORTS.......................C1 FALL SPORTS WRAP......D1


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