Title: Native Hawaiians criticize government officials and developers over water allocation in wake of Maui wildfires
Subtitle: Efforts to protect Lahaina from wildfires have ignited a battle over water rights between Native Hawaiians, government officials, and developers.
October 25, 2023
KIHEI, MAUI — After devastating wildfires tore through Lahaina, Native Hawaiians are finding themselves at the center of a blame game regarding water diversion and allocation. The community has been engaged in a long-standing battle for a greater say in how water, one of their most valued resources, is managed. However, state officials and developers are now suggesting that water needs to flow more freely for fire protection purposes.
Ku’uleialoha Palakiko, a Native Hawaiian farmer, expressed concerns about living in a dry region, describing it as a “tinder box” due to the prevalence of tall dry grasses. To combat this, Palakiko and other indigenous Hawaiians in Maui have been irrigating plots of taro using a centuries-old system called an ‘auwai, which diverts water from the Kaua’ula River.
However, in the aftermath of the recent wind-driven wildfires, the administration of Hawaii Governor Josh Green requested the state Supreme Court to relax stream flow limits in central Maui to ensure more water is available for fire suppression. This move has sparked outrage from Native Hawaiians who feel they are being scapegoated by government officials and developers.
The conflicts over water management and diversion have been ongoing for years. Native Hawaiians argue that they are striving to restore a less flammable landscape that was lost due to the sugar fields and other plantation farming, which left behind open fields covered with nonnative grasses that fuel wildfires. They also emphasize the need for water in streams to aid in fire suppression efforts.
Meanwhile, developers claim that regulations have hindered their efforts to fill reservoirs with water that could be used to protect homes and subdivisions in Lahaina. These conflicting interests have further complicated an already contentious issue.
The recent devastating wildfire that struck Lahaina, resulting in the loss of lives, has brought the water conflict to the forefront. Governor Green has suspended certain portions of the water code to respond to the emergency situation but has not yet addressed the concerns raised by Native Hawaiians.
Hōkūao Pellegrino, a farmer in Waikapu, voiced his frustration, believing that the blame game following the fire is undermining the efforts of Native Hawaiians to restore and protect their landscape. Pellegrino emphasizes that these efforts are crucial to prevent future wildfires and transform the region into a more sustainable and resilient landscape.
Water policy consultant Jonathan Scheuer highlighted the importance of water as a public trust in Hawaii. He noted that the legal framework surrounding water rights has been crucial in Native Hawaiians’ fight against commercial forces that have negatively impacted the ecological balance of the islands.
The struggle for water management in Lahaina has deep historical roots, stemming from the days of colonization and the privatization of land in the 19th century. Ancient waterways and irrigation systems built by Native Hawaiians were diverted to support sugar cane plantations, which ultimately led to the desiccation of the landscape.
Palakiko asserts that the current conflicts over water rights are a consequence of these historical actions and that the community is now paying the price.
The recent controversy surrounding water diversion arose when a developer complained to the state water commission about delays in diverting water to a company reservoir for fire suppression purposes. The developer argued that filling reservoirs with water would have helped protect homes in Lahaina during the fire. However, critics argue that this would not have been effective, as the hydrant system in Lahaina relies on the county water supply, and strong winds made it impossible for helicopters to drop water from reservoirs onto hotspots.
While the battle over water rights continues, wildfires in Maui serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive solution that balances the needs of the community, Native Hawaiians, and developers while protecting lives and landscapes from future blazes.
### Comment on this story:
“Misrepresenting the Native Hawaiian community’s efforts and framing them as obstacles in tackling wildfires is deeply unfair. Indigenous communities have long fought for justice and balance in water management. The blame game needs to stop, and a collaborative approach should be adopted to address the water needs of all stakeholders while protecting the environment.” – Anonymous Reader