#Gina Young

Residents emphasized key East Maui water priorities – such as the acquisition of the East Maui water system, infrastructure upgrades, the creation of a new East Maui base yard and watershed health initiatives – during three County of Maui East Maui Water Authority community workshops.

This month’s workshops will build on ideas and priorities shared during watershed and resource-planning EMWA gatherings held over the summer in Keʻanae, Haʻikū and Kula.

The EMI system, which was used to divert water from East Maui streams to the sugar plantation for nearly 150 years, is one of the last physical — and one of the most controversial — reminders of the sugar plantation and A&B’s outsize influence on Maui.

Changing rainfall, persistent drought and invasive species are taking a toll on the watershed and leaving East Maui farmers with less water than expected after the restoration of streams.

Haʻikū Community Association will host its second public meeting of 2025 on Wednesday, May 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Haʻikū Community Center, on Hāna Highway.

The Maui County Council’s Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee has recommended full Council confirmation of Jonathan Likeke Scheuer as the Hawaiian Homes Commission representative to the East Maui Regional Community Board.

The Kula Community Association invites Kula residents to its General Meeting at the Von Tempsky Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for an evening of honoring outstanding community members, hearing updates from County officials on fire and water update for Upcountry and other 2025 KCA business. 

Gina Young was sworn in Wednesday as the first director of the East Maui Regional Water Authority. The Maui County Council voted Oct. 25 to approve her appointment to the position, following her unanimous selection by the East Maui Regional Community Board or ʻAha Wai o Maui Hikina Regional Community Board.