#hawaiian commercial and sugar

Plantation Days Festival features cultural mix

A Plantation Days Festival is scheduled to celebrate the plantation era with the food and the cultures of a variety of ethnic groups, many whose descendants came to work in the sugarcane fields. The celebration takes place at the Sugar Museum at 3957 Hansen Road on Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hawai‘i High Court Rules in Maui Case Involving Due Process at the PUC

The appeal challenged the Public Utilities Commission and its denial of a request to intervene in a case involving a proposed agreement by Maui Electric Company to buy power from the former Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar plantation’s coal-fired power plant.

Honomanū Water Rights Demonstrators Urge Governor to Veto HB2501

About 30 farmers and residents gathered at Honomanū bridge along the Hāna Highway on Saturday in an effort to draw attention to their objection of House Bill 2501.

Senate Passes HB2501, Opponents Seek Veto

Today the Hawaiʻi Senate passed House Bill 2501, a bill that allows Alexander & Baldwin to continue previously authorized water diversions for three years or until its pending application for water rights is resolved, whichever comes first.

Maui Water Rights Sign Waving Coincides With Floor Vote

A water rights wave-signing event takes place this morning (Tuesday, May 3) from 6:30 to 9 a.m. on Hāna Highway beginning at the bottom of Haleakalā Highway.

Conferees OK Inclusion of A&B in Maui Water Rights Bill

Latest draft would sunset House Bill 2501 in three years. The amended measure now goes to both houses of the Legislature for a final vote.

Conference Committee Meets on Maui Water Rights Bill

The negotiations continue as Alexander and Baldwin announced yesterday plans for the permanent release of water in seven East Maui streams. While lawmakers praised the release, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation called the announcement a staged event and vowed to fight for the return of water to all streams that flow across ceded lands that are diverted for commercial enterprise.

Gabbard Meets With Displaced Maui Sugar Workers

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard meets with residents losing their jobs this year as a result of A&B’s decision to cease sugar operations at HC&S.

Major Industrial Hemp Bill Passes State House

A bill to allow private farmers to grow and sell industrial hemp through permits from the State Department of Agriculture (HB2555) has unanimously passed the Hawaii State House of Representatives and will crossover to the Senate.

Puʻunēnē Bagasse Fire Likely Result of Spontaneous Ignition

Fire crews arrived on scene to find a 50 x 50 foot pile of bagasse, standing about 15 feet high on fire.

East Maui Farmers Rally Against Continued Stream Diversion

Residents of the Keʻanae Lowlands are in opposition to the bill and are gathering at the Oʻahu State capitol tomorrow for the meeting, which starts at 2:45 p.m.

Sierra Club: Bill Seeks to “Legitimize the Historic Theft” of Water

The Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi is speaking out against a bill that would allow “hold-over” permits for applicants seeking to renew their water rights lease.