County of Maui and Kamehameha Schools propose shared stewardship of Lahaina water resources

The County of Maui and Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha today announced a proposed agreement for Kamehameha to transfer its option to acquire the Launiupoko Irrigation Company system to the County. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to protect and steward precious water resources—essential to the recovery, resilience and well-being of communities in Lahaina.

The proposal reflects complementary roles for the County of Maui and Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha. In September 2025, Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha acquired approximately 3,885 acres in Mākila, Waineʻe Ma Uka and Kahoma in West Maui, which included an opportunity to acquire the Launiupoko Irrigation Company system.

In March, Mayor Richard Bissen announced that the County is making an unprecedented shift toward public stewardship of water management by negotiating with key partners to acquire water system assets in West Maui.  

“Acquiring water for public trust is a generational investment in Maui Nui’s future,” Mayor Bissen said. “The water choices we make today will impact recovery, housing, traditional and cultural practices, emergency response and agriculture. By bringing these water systems into the public trust, we are protecting one of our most essential resources and ensuring decisions about water are driven by our community.”  

Kamehameha would retain stewardship of the Kauaʻula surface water system, which is part of the Launiupoko system, so it can continue service to kuleana landowners and support the long-term restoration of the area. The agreement also provides water source credits for future needs on Kamehameha’s ʻāina in Kuʻia.

“Caring for wai is essential for healthy ʻāina, communities and cultural practices. This partnership with the County of Maui connects our shared kuleana with the infrastructure needed for lasting recovery,” said Jack Wong, CEO of Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha. “Ke Aliʻi Pauahi’s legacy calls us to care for both people and place, and this partnership is one way we carry that kuleana forward in Lahaina.”

Together, the County and Kamehameha are committed to managing water resources in ways that support Lahaina’s recovery and revitalization. Coordination across multiple water sources can help address future community needs, including housing, public safety, watershed restoration and long-term resilience in areas including Kuʻia and Waineʻe in West Maui. 

Beyond infrastructure, both partners view the proposed agreement as an opportunity to establish a new chapter for Lahaina, one grounded in partnership and the community’s aspirations for the future.

“I fought for a long time to figure out where we [are] going to end up. I have better hopes for our future. Hopefully, we can get a lot of our kuleanas involved in water management because we’ve always been taking care of the water resources. Now is the time we gotta draw everyone’s ideas together and go forward together, united,” said Keʻeaumoku Kapu, Kuʻia kuleana land owner and executive director of NāʻAikāne o Maui.

The proposed agreement remains subject to approval by the Maui County Council and applicable regulatory agencies.