A dispute over who should manage East Maui’s century-old ditch system — which supplies water to Upcountry and Central Maui — remains unresolved after more than seven months of failed negotiations between the East Maui Water Authority and farming operation Mahi Pono. A new BLNR chair took over this week, and the issue may appear on the board’s July agenda.
- The East Maui Water Authority and Mahi Pono have failed to reach consensus after the BLNR gave them six months to agree on management of the region’s ditch system.
- A new BLNR chair, Ryan Kanaka’ole, officially began leading the board this week, though his stance on the water dispute is unclear.
- The matter may come before the board in July, but is complicated by a Sierra Club lawsuit in Environmental Court over stream diversion permits issued to Mahi Pono.
- The ditch system moves millions of gallons of water per day to Upcountry residents and Central Maui farms, making its management critical to the region’s water supply.
- Possible outcomes include a contested case hearing or a governor’s executive order transferring ownership of the system to the county.
Source: Civil Beat
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