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Restore Stream Flow

In Brief: Water in Hawai'i is a public trust resource -- wasteful water diversions must be stopped and the streams of Maui restored

No Be LoLo (crazy), Restore Stream Flow!

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Hui o Na Wai `Eha and Maui Tomorrow, represented by Earthjustice, are petitioning the State Commission on Water Resource Management to stop wasteful water diversions and to restore the Waihe`e, North & South Waiehu, `Iao, and Waikapu Streams, traditionally known as "Na Wai `Eha" or "The Four Great Waters."

Water in Hawai`i is a public trust resource, protected under the State constitution and Water Code, Hawai`i Revised Statutes chapter 174C. Government agencies, including the Water Commission, have a duty to protect and restore ecological uses, traditional and customary Hawaiian practices, recreation, and scenic values. "Instream flow standards" are the minimum flows necessary to sustain these uses and are the primary tool to protect streams and the public uses dependent upon them.

The Legacy of Sugar in Hawai`i

For more than a century, much of the water from Hawaiian streams has been taken to support plantation operations. To this day, millions of gallons of stream water are needlessly diverted and dumped, instead of being restored for public instream uses.

Photo of a dry streambed in the 'Iao Valley

Diversions leave streambeds, such as 'Iao, bone dry

Now these streams are dry during much of the year, often running only after rain storms.

On Maui, former sugar plantations have vastly reduced their crops or switched to others that require far less water. Still, these companies continue to drain the Na Wai `Eha streams as they did at the height of sugar cultivation.

For the most part, water is being hoarded by former agricultural interests for future private development projects.

The Hawai`i Water Code prohibits waste. The large-scale closing of plantations presents a historic opportunity to leave millions of gallons of water in Na Wai `Eha for community uses instead of allowing companies to continue hoarding and selling public water for private profit.

When Na Wai `Eha streams on the island of Maui have water flowing in them from the mountains down to the ocean, they recharge ground water that supplies more than half of the county's residents and visitors.

These streams also support important activities for local families, such as stream hikes, fishing, swimming, parks, and nature study.

'Iao stream diversion

Native stream animals, estuaries, and near-shore fisheries need a continuous supply of fresh water. Without this water, Na Wai `Eha's streams and near-shore marine waters will remain degraded and will not support local fishing or other Hawaiian gathering practices.

Continuous water flow in each of these streams is needed, today.

Photo: Nohoana Farm, Waikapü

`A `ohe hana nui ke alu `ia
No task is too big when done together by all

Take Action:

Hawai`i residents should contact state and local officials and let them know that you support stream restoration in Na Wai `Eha:

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares' Office: (808) 270-7855 or Mayors.office@mauicounty.gov

State Water Commission: (808) 587-0214 or dlnr.cwrm@hawaii.gov

Maui Council Services: (808) 270-7838 or county.council@co.maui.hi.us

Hawai`i residents can also participate in community meetings and hearings on this issue. If you would like to be added to an email list to receive periodic updates and other information, email: ksproat@earthjustice.org

From the continental USA you can help restore stream flow by supporting Hui o Na Wai `Eha and Maui Tomorrow, the groups on the ground leading the way in this struggle.

Hui o Na Wai `Eha is a community-based organization established to promote the conservation and appropriate management of Hawai`i's natural and cultural resources and the practices that depend on them. Hui members live, work, and play in the areas surrounding Na Wai `Eha, and are committed to protecting Maui's quality of life for present and future generations.

Maui Tomorrow is a community-based organization with more than 1000 supporters. It is dedicated to sustainable planning, responsible resource management, and preserving the opportunity for rural lifestyles on Maui.