Maui County has agreed to take over Maui Land & Pineapple Company’s drinking water system as part of efforts to bring more of the island’s fragmented water infrastructure under public control. The move aims to address ongoing disputes between public and private interests over water management.
- County will assume ownership of MLP’s drinking water system, increasing public control of West Maui water from less than half to 65%.
- Only 25% of Maui’s drinking and irrigation systems are currently under county control, creating management complexity.
- Water disputes have intensified, including conflicts over fire-fighting access during the 2023 Lahaina disaster.
- Resort owner Tadashi Yanai recently sued MLP over water access for Kapalua golf courses amid ongoing drought conditions.
- County must negotiate with other private water system owners including Kamehameha Schools and West Maui Land.
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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