#Water Commission

Community members see the golf course’s plan as a way to “throw money at the problem” as disputes over water use continue.

The state Commission on Water Resource Management gave the company a chance to offset the fine by making improvements to its water system in Honokōhau Valley.

“We felt it was time to really get a better understanding of how much really should be left in the streams as kind of the starting point and then balance that against the other uses as well,” Maui County Water Supply Director John Stufflebean said.

Senate Bill 3327 SD1 HD1 proposes to separate the Water Commission from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to minimize conflicts of interests between the two agencies. The bill would also grant the agency its own authority to declare emergencies, retain independent legal counsel, and levy fines up to $60,000 per violation of the Water Code. 

With pressure from the Maui County Council and others, the Hawaiʻi State Commission on Water Resource Management on Monday reinstated 1st Deputy Kaleo Manuel, who was “redeployed” following accusations by a land owner that he delayed access to water during the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina fire.

The state Water Commission heard more than three hours of oral testimony expressing concern over a $4,500 fine for a family using water from the river to water their taro.

The State is seeking nominations to the Commission on Water Resource Management.  A Nominating Committee will screen the applicants and send to the Governor the names of at least three individuals for a single open position. The Water Commission is composed of seven members that have jurisdiction and final authority on matters relating to implementation […]

Adrienne King, 2010 candidate for Lt. Governor (R) Transcript: Introduction:  Aloha, my name is Adrienne King and I’m running for Lt. Governor on the Republican ticket.  A little about myself–I was born in Detroit, Michigan; I came to Hawaii in ’72 after graduating from college in law school.  I came and met and married a […]

Gary Hooser, 2010 candidate for Lt. Governor of Hawaii, Transcript:  INTRODUCTION:  Aloha, I’m Gary Hooser.  I’m a candidate for Lt. Governor.  And I’m focusing on the issues (there’s lots of important issues of course, but) energy independence, educational excellence, environmental protection and sustainability are my key areas of focus.  I’ve been in the Hawaii State Senate […]

Posted by Wendy Osher After years of legal wrangling, water is being partially restored today at Na Wai Eha in the West Maui mountains.  The release by Wailuku Water Company and Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company was ordered by the state water commission as a result of a contested case hearing initiated by several Maui […]

By Wendy Osher The County of Maui reached a settlement with two community groups in a lawsuit over the planned Waiale Water Treatment Plant in Wailuku.  The county agreed to pull its acceptance of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement because water for the facility would come from streams that are under dispute in an ongoing […]

Two Maui community groups today appealed the state Water Commission’s decision on in-stream flow standards at Nä Wai ‘Ehä, or “The Four Great Waters” of Waihe‘e River and Waiehu, ‘Ïao, and Waikapü Streams in West Maui. The groups say the 12.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of water restored, is less than what they had […]

By Wendy Osher The environmental lawfirm, Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit today on behalf of two community groups on Maui challenging plans for a water treatment plant in Waiale.  The facility is proposed by Alexander & Baldwin, a company that has been fighting for water to sustain sugarcane crops under its Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company […]

Posted by Wendy Osher Executives with the newly established Haliimaile Pineapple Company will discuss the company’s operations at the upcoming meeting of the Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Maui.  Company board member, Doug MacCluer will speak on the company’s hiring of former Maui Land and Pineapple Company employees, and the effect of the […]

The State Commission on Water Resource Management (Commission) issued its final decision and order today in the contested case to set interim instream flow standards for four west Maui streams –Waihe‘e, Waiehu, ‘Iao and Waikapu — known together as “Na Wai ‘Eha.” Decision and Order The Commission has ordered the following amended interim instream flow […]

A historic decision was handed down on Tuesday that outlines in stream flow standards at 19 East Maui Streams. While water commission members saw it as a compromise, two of the main parties in the case have expressed concerns. Attorneys for the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, representing taro farmers and subsistence water users, plan to […]

The State Commission on Water Resource Management will hold a meeting on Tuesday, May 25, in Pa‘ia, Maui, to hear public testimony and decide on a petition to amend the interim instream flow standards for 19 east Maui streams: Waikamoi, Alo, Wahinepe‘e, Puohokamoa, Haipua‘ena, Punalau, Honomanu, Nua‘ailua, ‘Ohi‘a, West Wailuaiki, East Wailuaiki, Kopili‘ula, Puaka‘a, Waiohue, […]