The recent Maui wildfires have raised both old and new issues around water security in Hawaii. Water allocation or who gets how much has always been an issue in Hawaii.
The issues are now magnified with the call for affordable housing, unused agricultural lands that fuel deadly wildfires, contamination of our aquifer from fuel leaks, and a changing climate with less reliable rainfall.
Hawaii has one of the world’s most aspirational water policies for a reason. We are an isolated island chain, and our economies and health of our citizens are dependent on ensuring our water security future.
We have indigenous cultures and communities, who evolved with flowing water in their streams, with legitimate historic and current grievances about loss of their water rights. We have unique species that are dependent on flowing waters from the mountains to the sea.
The 1978 Constitutional Convention made major changes in how Hawaii manages its freshwater resources. Water policy was further institutionalized by the Legislature in the 1986 State Water Code and clarified in subsequent court cases.
Simply stated, there is no private ownership of water in Hawaii — it is a public trust.
The trustees of the state Commission on Water Resource Management have four priority trust areas which are equally protected under the law:
Hawaii’s water policies have served us well, but the challenge now is to establish a more comprehensive and integrated approach, moving from less conflict to more cooperation. Dedicated support for watershed management, water monitoring, infrastructure support for water conservation and reuse, upgrading dams and reservoirs, forest stewardship, private land assistance programs, and contested case reform are all areas of opportunity.
But we should tread lightly and appreciate the current policies which have served us well. Important areas of opportunity and context to consider in future discussion on reforming Hawaii’s water policies include:
Full article: www.civilbeat.org
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