Hawaii’s Board of Land and Natural Resources is voting on a plan to auction a 30-year East Maui irrigation lease that would effectively give private farm operator Mahi Pono control of the system, bypassing the county-led water authority Maui voters approved in 2022.
- The DLNR proposal would grant Mahi Pono a license for up to 87.95 million gallons per day, while Maui County would receive only 6.5 million gallons per day.
- Maui voters created the East Maui Water Authority in 2022 specifically to bring the irrigation system under community control — a goal this plan would effectively block.
- Environmental advocates, Native Hawaiian water protectors, and taro farmers have filed testimony opposing the lease and planned to rally outside Friday’s board meeting.
- Opponents warn that if the board approves the auction, it could trigger a lengthy legal battle between the state and Maui County.
- Mahi Pono argues a long-term lease would enable the company to make infrastructure investments in Central Maui agriculture that short-term permits made impractical.
Source: Civil Beat
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