Volume 3, Number 3
FREE
September, 2026
30 Year License Denied For East County Water
By Taryn Kama
F
or generations, water from East Maui streams has traveled through an intricate irrigation system to support agriculture in Central Maui. On Fri., Aug. 14, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR ) made one thing clear: the future of that water system will not be decided by a 30-year private license—not yet. After more than eight hours of testimony from farmers, cultural practitioners, environmental advocates, Maui County officials and others, BLNR unanimously rejected a staff recommendation to authorize a public auction for a 30-year water license that could have allowed Mahi Pono to divert up to nearly 88 million gallons of water per day. The board also rejected a proposed arrangement that would have provided Maui County with 6.5 million gallons per day. The decision represents a significant moment in Maui's long-running debate over who should control East Maui's (EMI) water—and whether that control should ultimately be public, private or shared.
“Water is wai— and its availability affects traditional taro farming, stream health and Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices.”
The testimony says the state should not commit East Maui water for 30 years before resolving that request. For East Maui farmers and Native Hawaiian cultural Water is currently being diverted from East County streams to practitioners, the issue goes mostly irrigate agricultural fields in Maui’s Central Valley. Photo beyond ownership. Water is courtesy Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources wai—and its availability affects traditional taro farming, stream health and Native Maui Mayor Richard Bissen strongly opposed Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. the proposed long-term arrangement, arguing Environmental advocates have also questioned that it could restrict the county's ability to pursue whether current stream-flow standards adequately the community-controlled East Maui Water protect East Maui streams, particularly as drought Authority, created after Maui voters approved a and changing climate patterns create greater 2022 charter amendment. Bissen urged the board uncertainty about future water availability. not to make a 30-year decision that could close off Critics also questioned how the proposed future options for Maui residents. 87.95-million-gallon daily figure was established There were 133 pages of written testimony and whether a 2021 environmental impact study given during the August hearing.The provides an adequate foundation for a decision packet contains testimony from multiple lasting three decades. perspectives, including people supporting In Favor continued agricultural water access and the Mahi Pono presents a very different argument. proposed arrangement. The company says a long-term license would Opposition provide the certainty needed to invest in Some of the strongest opposition comes infrastructure and maintain a reliable irrigation from Kainoa Lei MacDonald of the Association system supporting diversified agriculture. Under of Hawaiians for Homestead Lands (AHHL) Article continues on Page 4. MacDonald said that the state should resolve Native Hawaiian water rights and Hawaiian Home Lands' water needs before making a 30-year commercial commitment. Rebuilding Lahaina's Places of Worship.........3 A particularly important point is that AHHL Makena Improvements Approved........................6 says the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Food Review: Marlow.......................................5 has requested an 11.7-million-gallon-perEvents Calendar .........................................8-9 day water reservation for existing and future Classified Ads................................................14 homesteads in Keokea, Waiohuli and Pūlehunui.
What's Inside:
When in season, Mahi Pono watermelons are sold at Costco and other retailers. Photo courtesy Mahi Pono