Maui Stream Water Restoration

Maui's Waihee River is now flowing again as the result of an order from the Commission on Water Resource Management that required Wailuku Water Co. to restore 12.5 million gallons per day to two of the four streams that comprise Na Wai Eha.

For many years, Wailuku Water Co. has diverted the stream for users like Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. The restoration of water to these streams is definitely expected to improve the environmental health of the areas affected by the streams.

There was some disagreement within the Commission on Water Resource Management as to how much water should be restored, and where. Dr. Lawrence Miike was the Commission member who oversaw the case hearing and he recommended that half of Nawai Eha's water be restored to the four streams. Other members disagreed, ruling that no water be returned to the Iao and Waikapu streams. Some water was returned to the Waihee and Waiehu streams, but less than Dr. Miike had recommended.

Much of this battle is being fought by Earthjustice, which appealed the decision, as they didn't find the outcome satisfactory.

Apparently, Wailuku Water Co. president Avery Chumbley alerted taro farmers that the Commission's order to restore water to the streams might result in less water to their taro patches through Wailuku Water Co.'s pipeline. This frightened the taro farmers.

The odd thing is, the restoration of this water to these streams is intended to bring these very taro farmers their water the natural way at no cost. Diannah Goo, a 75 year old Waihee kuleana taro farmer with 12 taro patches, expressed that she would rather have the water in the stream, but if it wasn't enough to raise the kalo, she would rather have it in the pipe.

But before anyone panics, they should keep in mind that this water isn't vanishing. The water isn't going to be either in the stream or in the pipe. It's going to be in the stream and the pipe.

A lot of heat has come down on Wailuku Water Co. and some of it may be warranted, but the truth is, this is a big change and everyone involved will need time to adjust. Wailuku Water Co. will have to figure out how to gauge the release of exactly the right amount of water that it takes to fill the stream according to the order, and the taro farmers will have to set up systems to effectively and efficiently pull that free water from the streams. Eventually, taro farmers may need to plan to make the stream water their staple, as the water from Wailuku Water Co. could become merely their backup or supplemental supply. 

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