Honolulu, Hawaii—In response to Alexander & Baldwin’s announcement
that the company will provide full and permanent restoration of streams in East
Maui, members of the State Legislature expressed their appreciation and
support. At the urging of the
Legislature, A&B announced today its plan to restore water to taro farmers
in East Maui.
“I see this as a promising approach to finding
real solutions to the many water rights issues on Maui,” said House Speaker
Joseph M. Souki. “With the end of sugar,
Maui is truly at an important turning point, entering unchartered territory. We need to re-think old assumptions and look
for resolutions beyond the purview of the courts.”
“While there are
still details to be hammered out and much work to be done, I am hopeful that
this first step puts us in the right direction and toward productive compromise
on waters rights issues on Maui,” Souki said.
“The announcement to restore these
streams is a good first step and a starting point in the healing process on
Maui,” said Senator Mike Gabbard, chair
of the Senate’s Water, Land and Agriculture Committee. “As I said in
committee hearings, and on the Senate floor, we need to roll up our sleeves and
continue our work to find the middle ground. I’m hopeful that the restoration
of these streams helps us find a productive compromise that’s fair to folks on
both sides of this debate.”
"The restoration of water in the streams is a step in
the right direction. The Legislature is committed to providing the
additional resources to assess the health of our streams," said
Representative Ryan Yamane, chair of the House Water and Land Committee. "This will protect the future use of
Hawaii's important agricultural lands.
The preservation of our water and our land is a priority for the health
and vitality of Maui's agricultural production which is key to Maui's
resilience."
"A&B's unilateral decision
to restore 100 percent of the water in East Maui streams is an excellent
beginning point for all of us to begin the healing process, said Sen. J. Kalani
English, senate majority leader. "Many
Hawaiian families - my family - has had generations of suffering and pain over
the loss of water. Today I hope that we
can begin reconciliation as the waters flow again in East Maui."
The streams to be
fully and permanently restored are: Honopou,
Hanehoi (Puolua), Piinaau, Palauhulu, Waiokamilo, Kualani, and Wailuanui (East
and West). A&B will work to restore
the streams as soon as possible, with some diversions modified immediately and
others requiring reconfiguration.
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