Support Maui Komohana at the Water Commission next Tuesday, 9/19

Support the Maui Komohana (West Maui) communities’ defense of their freshwater resources at next week’s Water Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 19, 9am in Honolulu.

The Water Commission will be providing updates on water resources in Maui Komohana and hear public comments on the issue. There will be no decision making. Folks on Maui and other neighbor islands are encouraged to submit written comments and folks on Oʻahu are invited to attend in-person to show their support for the Maui Komohana community.

Commission on Water Resource Management
Tuesday, September 19, 9am
Department of Land and Natural Resources Boardroom, Kalanimoku Building
1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132, Honolulu, HI, 96813
Join via Zoom or stream online here
Submit written comments to iwalani.hr.kaaa@hawaii.gov and dlnr.cwrm@hawaii.gov

Amidst the chaos and suffering in Lāhainā, West Maui Land Company official Glenn Tremble exploited the unfolding tragedy to gain access to more water and roll back water management protections established for Maui Komohana. Tremble falsely claimed that had they had access to more diverted stream water, there would have been more water for fighting the Lāhainā fires on August 8. Without verification of the actual facts, Commission on Water Resource Management chair Dawn Chang unlawfully “re-deployed” the Water Commission’s deputy director, Kaleo Manuel, while the Governor suspended hard-fought water management measures protecting West Maui’s streams, aquifers, and farmers from corporate water hoarding. 

The facts are clear: diverting more water to Launiupoko reservoirs would not have supplied more water for firefighting—the reservoirs are not connected to the county’s fire hydrants, and even helicopters could not be used for water drops on due to the high winds of August 8-9.  Instead, increased diversions would have cut off stream flow that may have been downstream farmers’ only source of water for fire suppression. West Maui Land Company’s Glenn Tremble simply tried push a dishonest narrative about the fires to hoard stream water and dismantle the water management tools that Maui Komohana communities have long fought for - and the Governor’s administration fell for it, hook, line and sinker.

Let there be no mistake—there is enough water for everyone. In the climate crisis era, appropriately managing this precious resource and protecting it from corporate water hoarding are paramount – for our ecosystems, communities, and overall resilience. The Water Commission made more strides towards achieving these goals under Deputy Manuel than any other deputy in the history of the State Water Code – and now both Deputy Manuel and the code itself are being attacked by corporate and political powers-that-be.

The future of Maui Komohana’s watersheds and aquifers are at stake. Moreover, letting the Governor and Commission Chair’s actions stand could also impact water management measures across the islands. This is a moment for people power to push back against a future where money and influence continue to dictate the disposition of our islands’ most precious resource. 

The next few meetings of the Water Commission provide a key opportunity for the people of Hawaiʻi to voice their support for managing and fairly sharing our wai, and to stop the government from helping corporations steal our water –  whether it is in West Maui, East Maui, West Kauaʻi or Hawaiʻi Island – we must stand together. 

Here’s how you can support Maui Komohana: 

Submit written comments by Monday, September 18, 9am
Email your comments to: iwalani.hr.kaaa@hawaii.gov and dlnr.cwrm@hawaii.gov
Subject line: Comments on C-1, Water Resources in the Lahaina Aquifer Sector Area
Sample comments: 

Aloha Chair Chang and members of the Commission on Water Resource Management, 

My name is [name] and I live in [place]. I am writing today to offer my support for the West Maui communities’ many years of hard work to restore their freshwater resources and establish management practices that ensure there is enough water for everyone. I also want to express my appreciation to the commission and your work to manage and uphold the public trust in our precious wai - especially the immense strides made under the leadership of Kaleo Manuel.

[Insert personal story about how Kaleo/CWRM’s work has impacted you/your ohana/your community, times you’ve seen them do right, or a personal message about the importance properly managed wai]

West Maui’s communities have long fought for the return of their rightful water after decades of poor water management by plantations and now luxury gentlemen farm developers. Now all of their hard work, and the future of West Maui’s freshwater resources, are at stake because of dishonest, dangerous narratives by corporate water hoarders.

I kindly ask that the commission uphold the Maui Komohana Water Management Area designation; ensure that the updated interim instream flow standards for West Maui are being met; reinstate Kaleo Manuel as deputy director; and urge staff to continue their efforts to implement our Water Code, and manage and protect our most precious resource for our communities, ʻāina, and future generations.

Ola i ka wai,
[Your name]

Attend the meeting in-person, Tuesday, September 19, 9am
Department of Land and Natural Resources Boardroom, Kalanimoku Building
1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132, Honolulu, HI, 96813

Testify and/or watch virtually
Send your virtual testimony request to iwalani.hr.kaaa@hawaii.gov with your information, email address, and the agenda item you wish to testify on (C-1). Once your request has been received, you will receive a confirmation email with pertinent information.

Stream online on Youtube here.

We also encourage you to sign and share this petition to stop the theft of Maui water and uphold stream protections.

We hope to see you on Tuesday!