Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 8, 1 August 2016 — Nā Wai ʻEhā Continues [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nā Wai ʻEhā Continues

E ui aku ana au ia oe Aia i hea ka Wai a Kane? Aia i ke kuahiwi I ke kuaīono I ke awawa I ke kahawai

Aia i laila ka Wai a Kane. We don't have to look far to realize the value of wai. The very reduplication of this word, "waiwai" (wealth), sheds light upon our kūpuna's understanding of the resource. Throughout mele and 'Ōlelo No'eau, we continuously see water as a necessity to the wellbeing of Kanaka Maoli life.

Throughout this oli in particular, we know where the wai is. The same is still true in 2016 and we must advocate for the responsible use of water by all. Water, as a puhlie trust resource, should not be solely available to large corporations to be used at their own discretion, it should be just that: puhlie. The continued battle for water use and resources cannot be overlooked, especially on our own island. July 11, 2016, marked the beginning of another chapter in the continuous battle for wai. The Nā Wai 'Ehā contested case hearing commenced at the Maui Community College where the State Commission on Water Resource Management began hearing opening arguments. This 12-year legal battle has revealed the flaws in current practices and begun to carve out space for the responsible and fair use of water while considering traditional and customary rights of our people. Dr. Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa and Paul Reppun were excellent expert witnesses who testified on our behalf. This case is not only important to the mahi 'ai kalo that have been without wai

for far too long; it is critical to all of Maui's residents and ultimately, to Hawai'i as a whole, as well. The ruling on this case has the potential to set precedents for water management and use for all islands in the State of Hawai'i.

It brings me great pride that though this has been an arduous legal battle, it has also brought to the forefront the intelligence of our people and brought together many notable organizations and people. Aloha 'āina has grounded partnerships like Ka Huli Ao, Earthjustice, Hui O Nā Wai 'Ehā, OHA, etc. In October of 2015, OHA not only approved continued participation in this particular case, but also adopted a Water Policy that sets guidelines and

procedures to assist in advancing wai stewardship and practices throughout Hawai'i. Additionally, OHA's new Kipuka Database and (www.kipukadatabase.com) and Papakilo Database (www.papakilodatabase.com) have been an invaluable resource. Where off-island beneficiaries onee had to fly to O'ahu to do research, this material is now made available online. OHA's actions affirm our aloha and commitment to our beneficiaries, resources, and 'āina. The contested case hearing is expected to take plaee through August and is open to the puhlie to listen and support - the battle for wai is not over. It is so important that the commission sees how mueh we as a eommunity care about the use of our resources! For updates, follow The Office of Hawaiian Affairs on social media or visit "Hui o Nā Wai 'Ehā" on Facebook for updates. I want to extend my sincere mahalo to all those who work tirelessly to ensure the heahh and wellbeing of our people and 'āina. I know that this proves to be no easy task, but is indeed our kuleana - our responsibility and our right. ■

LEO 'ELELE TRUSTEE MESSSAGES

Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey Trustee, Maui