While the Hawai`i Water Plan attempts to plan for future water use, it does not speak directly to the issue of water rights. However, water rights are of critical importance in that they limit options for future water use policy. … Continued
The state Commission on Water Resource Management has six members. Two are members by virtue of their having been appointed to cabinet-level positions by the governor. These two are the head of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, … Continued
Navy Looks At Expanding Missile Range To Northwestern Islands, Johnston Atoll The Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility, in western Kaua’i, is planning to expand its ground-based launch capability to other islands and atolls in the Northwest Hawaiian chain and to … Continued
On June 4, the state Land Use Commission unanimously approved a petition by Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. to designate more than 80 percent of its vast Maui fields as Important Agricultural Lands (IAL). While commissioners praised the company’s dedication to … Continued
In the opinion of hearing officer Lawrence Miike, no one got it right. The Maui Department of Water Supply’s proposal to amend the interim instream flow standards (IIFS) of four West Maui streams – known collectively as Na Wai `Eha … Continued
The temptation to dismiss reporting violations as mere technical infractions is often strong, especially among the violators. But one of the best explanations of the importance of reporting water use information is found on the website of the Commission on … Continued
What’s to be done when the state doesn’t follow its own rules? And not just the state, but county agencies and the majority of other holders of water use permits? The question arises in the course of reading the recent … Continued
You could tell it was a big deal by the throng that had gathered October 15 at the `Iao Congregational Church to hear final arguments in the Na Wai `Eha contested case hearing. People filled the dozen or so rows … Continued
“The count as it stands is zero for four,” said Isaac Moriwake, an attorney with the environmental law firm of Earthjustice. Moriwake made the comment in reference to the track record racked up by the state Commission on Water Resource … Continued
The state Commission on Water Resource Management would seem to have a hard time getting things right. Twice the Supreme Court has remanded back to the commission its decisions on the Waiahole ditch contested case, and a third appeal in … Continued