DLNR clarifies proposed East Maui water licenses before Board of Land and Natural Resources

A modified version of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, Friday, Aug. 14 meeting agenda has been publicly circulating concerning proposed East Maui water licenses.

The document, titled “Agenda for the meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources” with “Edited for brevity” in red text, is not an official meeting agenda issued by BLNR, the department reports. The document contains red-text additions that do not appear in BLNR’s official agenda and should not be understood as statements or characterizations by BLNR or the Department of Land and Natural Resources, according to a department statement.

“We want to ensure that the public has accurate information about what is actually before BLNR. We encourage anyone interested in this matter to review the official agenda and staff submittal and provide testimony to BLNR,” said BLNR Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole.  

“Item D-7 does not ask BLNR to award a 30-year water license to Mahi Pono. The item asks BLNR to authorize a public auction for a water license for certain government surface waters in East Maui,” according to DLNR.

It also seeks approval of a separate water license to the County of Maui for domestic, municipal and agricultural purposes and a related delegation concerning an agreement for the operation, maintenance and monitoring of the East Maui Irrigation System.

Anyone wishing to review the official agenda and submittals to be considered by the BLNR at its Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, meeting is encouraged to visit the DLNR’s Land Board Submittals – 08/14/26 web page: