Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 8, 1 August 1992 — Molokaʻi Water Plan gets chilly reception [ARTICLE]

Molokaʻi Water Plan gets chilly reception

by Pearl Leialoha Page

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands says it will need 27 million gallons of water a day (mgd) over the next 20 years on the island of Moloka'i. It plans aggressive development of agricultural lands at Ho'olehua, Kalama'ula and Kapa'akea. That projection is part of the revisions reflected in the latest version of the Hawai'i Water Plan. The inclusion of DHHL development projections has significantly changed water use planning on Moloka'i. Now instead of a projection of .4 mgd the island is looking at filling a need for 44 mgd.

Where is the water is going to eome from? This is the difficult question Moloka'i residents and state agencies are facing. These challenges were posed at an information meeting on revisions to the water plan held on Moloka'i in July. Water is one of the top issues on Moloka'i today. The revised water plan for Moloka'i reflects new directions in its water development strategies. For example, it recommends expanding the Moloka'i Irrigation System to Pelekunu.

A pristine valley on the Northeast side of the island, Pelekunu is known for its pure water and unique diversity of native freshwater species and plant life. The entire valley is owned in fee by the Nature Conservancy, and Pelekunu stream had earlier been recommended for "kapu" status, meaning to be left completely alone. The plan calls for tapping waters

above the l,000-foot level using gravity to transport it. "There are no other sources apparent elsewhere of that magnitude within reach," for developing water in the quantities projected for agricultural use, the plan states. Tapping into this watershed area may adversely affect the endangered species of plant and animal life living in the streams and rivlets.

The water situation now is manageable," DLNR Director William Paty commented. "If we tap even just half of the water, there's going to be a lot of trade-offs. Tough choices will have to be made," he said. Population growth projections in the water plan remain at of 10,600 by the year 2010, as cited in the Moloka'i Communtiy Plan. Now the island supports about 6,000 residents. The increased need for water will primarily eome ffom stepped up agricultural development.

The water plan also recommends developing dual systems that draw from ground water resources for domestic use and surface water or non-potable water for irrigation. It points out that this strategy elimantes the need for water treatment. To carry out these recommendations the plan calls for establishing a Water Authority for Moloka'i and for a joint effort between the seven major water providers on the island to manage the program. "There is simply not enough water to meet the projected needs with independent actions," it states. While calling for "bold action," the plan is light on data. The overwhelming tone of those attending the July

information meeting was one of dissatisfaction. Two Moloka'i residents at the meeting suggested throwing the plan away. Their complaints stem from what the revised water plan neglects to address; chief among the omissions is the island's recent designation as a special water management area.

The designation recognizes that the need for water on Moloka'i far outweighs the current and projected supply. To drill new wells requires a speeial permit. In addition, existing wells must be registered with the state by July 19, 1993 or be regarded as a new well, subject to an approval process. Applications will be mailed to all well users of record, by registered mail if necessary, Eric Hirano the of Department of Land and Natural Resources explained.

Another missing item was a strategy for replacing forests on the west end of the island, whieh had been included in the previous water plan. "We have documentation of forests in Maunaloa — streams, the whole works," said Walter Ritte, Moloka'i resident and Hawaiian activist.

The division of forestry is investigating it, replied Paty. Creating a watersh»d on the west end was very long term goal, he added. "It's an oversight that reforestation was not included in this plan," he said. Another prominent omission regards reserving water for future use on Hawaiian Home Lands as called for by Act 325. Passed by the 1991 Legislature, the act gives specific recommendations for the including the

reservation of water for use on Hawaiian Home Lands in the water plan. Just about every element of ihe plan is suppose to make some referenee to it, said Dave Martin of the Native Hawaiian Advisory Council, a watchdog group for Hawaiian water rights. "The failure to include it in this first revision and the laek of a timetable for publishing another revision might leave the issue of reservation dangling indefinitely," he said.

Not so, said Paty. He announced the formation of a task force to recommend procedures to reserve water fbr Hawaiian Homes and other Hawaiian rights. The task force is headed by Miehael Chun, president of Kamehameha Schools. Chun is an engineer by training, and is also a member of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Paty predicted that the task force may have some recommendations in six months. The water commission would then write rules and plan to revise the water plan.

"Who is going to make up the task force?" questioned Wilma Kawekana Grambusch, president of the Kalama'ula Homestead Association. "1 would like to propose that the committee represent a fair amount of native Hawaiians from different native Hawaiian communities," she said. "There is nothing more important than community input," she added. "I would really like to see some sensitivity to the people who have been here for generations." continued on page 12

Moloka'i water plan

Grambusch had also testified during recent water hearings held on Maui.

"We don't pretend that this plan is in the shape that it should be," Paty said. "But we feel it is a start and we're going to have to tie down a lot of loose ends." A working group composed of Moloka'i residents was proposed to

identify the key issues missing from the plan. Revisions would be added to the plan pieeemeal until it became a cohesive and comprehensive revision, said Rae Louis, DLNR deputy director.

The process would take about 5 years she said, adding that limited staffing and resources was a problem.