As a 50 year East Maui resident with close ties to the flowing waters in many of the streams (for both recreation, Ag and residential use) I am very concerned for the health of the East Maui watershed and the impact the WUDP will have on the watershed.
Here are a few of my top concerns and recommendations for solutions to the many demands on the East Maui watershed.
As we know, there needs to be equity in the distribution of the water making sure the East Maui Residents and Native Hawaiians have their needs met before water is taken away. There needs to be increases in water use efficiency, increased storage, decreased waste and revitalization of the living balance of the watershed so as to promote water collection and absorption.
I want to make sure that the Plan has strong and enforceable requirements for the maintenance of life sustaining in-stream flow in all the East Maui and Haiku streams. With the increased stream flows due to decreased diversions since the closure of HC&S, East Maui residents have witnessed many streams begin to recover after 100+ years of torture. That return to Life and Balance in the streams is absolutely necessary for the East Maui water shed to function, to collect water and to recharge its aquifers. The fisheries are beginning to revive, the stream life is beginning to return, and cultural practices may soon be viable again. Please make sure that the WUDP strongly protects (with enforcement features) the restoration of the East Maui Watershed.
I believe that the water diversion ditches should become publicly owned and managed for the highest use of all stakeholders, and that the residents and farmers and Native Hawaiians of the East Maui watershed should have their water needs met first before water is taken away from the watershed.
As climate change creates more weather extremes (extended droughts & massive rain events) it is clear that increased water storage in the form of reservoirs both lined and unlined (for ground water recharge) is necessary and needs to be included in the "Development" part of the plan. Increasing the amount of reservoirs for storing Ag water just makes good sense. It is a shame that hotels water their landscapes with potable water! Also, the central valley needs to have its hillsides shaped into Swales that collect water and direct it into the ground. This will create a beautiful landscape, increase the water recharge of the central valley aquifers as well as protect the reefs from run-off. This needs to be required and could be subsidized by the County or State to Maui Pono as part of the WUDP so as to increase the water available in the central valley wells to everyone, thereby reducing the demand on the East maui watershed during times of drought.
Regarding Mahi Pono. They purchased land that had been used and abused for nearly a century. The only things that were added were ground-water polluting ag fertilizers and pesticides. The soil food web and structure has been totally destroyed, drastically reducing the soil's ability to hold water. With dead soil, Maui Pono's water usage is extremely higher than if their soil was healthy and thriving. There needs to be requirements upon Maui Pono to rebuild the health and water retaining capacity of their soils so as to reduce their water consumption, making available more water for other uses. The NRCS could work with Maui Pono to accomplish that goal, and in so doing benefit the whole island with regard to water use and development.
Aloha,
As a 50 year East Maui resident with close ties to the flowing waters in many of the streams (for both recreation, Ag and residential use) I am very concerned for the health of the East Maui watershed and the impact the WUDP will have on the watershed.
Here are a few of my top concerns and recommendations for solutions to the many demands on the East Maui watershed.
As we know, there needs to be equity in the distribution of the water making sure the East Maui Residents and Native Hawaiians have their needs met before water is taken away. There needs to be increases in water use efficiency, increased storage, decreased waste and revitalization of the living balance of the watershed so as to promote water collection and absorption.
I want to make sure that the Plan has strong and enforceable requirements for the maintenance of life sustaining in-stream flow in all the East Maui and Haiku streams. With the increased stream flows due to decreased diversions since the closure of HC&S, East Maui residents have witnessed many streams begin to recover after 100+ years of torture. That return to Life and Balance in the streams is absolutely necessary for the East Maui water shed to function, to collect water and to recharge its aquifers. The fisheries are beginning to revive, the stream life is beginning to return, and cultural practices may soon be viable again. Please make sure that the WUDP strongly protects (with enforcement features) the restoration of the East Maui Watershed.
I believe that the water diversion ditches should become publicly owned and managed for the highest use of all stakeholders, and that the residents and farmers and Native Hawaiians of the East Maui watershed should have their water needs met first before water is taken away from the watershed.
As climate change creates more weather extremes (extended droughts & massive rain events) it is clear that increased water storage in the form of reservoirs both lined and unlined (for ground water recharge) is necessary and needs to be included in the "Development" part of the plan. Increasing the amount of reservoirs for storing Ag water just makes good sense. It is a shame that hotels water their landscapes with potable water! Also, the central valley needs to have its hillsides shaped into Swales that collect water and direct it into the ground. This will create a beautiful landscape, increase the water recharge of the central valley aquifers as well as protect the reefs from run-off. This needs to be required and could be subsidized by the County or State to Maui Pono as part of the WUDP so as to increase the water available in the central valley wells to everyone, thereby reducing the demand on the East maui watershed during times of drought.
Regarding Mahi Pono. They purchased land that had been used and abused for nearly a century. The only things that were added were ground-water polluting ag fertilizers and pesticides. The soil food web and structure has been totally destroyed, drastically reducing the soil's ability to hold water. With dead soil, Maui Pono's water usage is extremely higher than if their soil was healthy and thriving. There needs to be requirements upon Maui Pono to rebuild the health and water retaining capacity of their soils so as to reduce their water consumption, making available more water for other uses. The NRCS could work with Maui Pono to accomplish that goal, and in so doing benefit the whole island with regard to water use and development.
Thank you for hearing my testimony.
Sincerely,
Megan Loomis Powers