Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 7, 1 Iulai 1995 — Waiāhole water interim order expires [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Waiāhole water interim order expires

by Patrick Johnston The six-month interim order rediverting water from the Waiāhole Ditch irrigation system back to Windward O'ahu ended June 19 with a standoff between AmFac and Windward farmers. AmFac, the company that owns the Waiāhole Ditch system, said it intended to divert 2 - 4 million gallons of water a day (mgd) back to Leeward and Central O'ahu. AmFac said it needed the water to supply the irrigation needs of fruit and vegetable growers; Windward farmers want the water to support taro growing and help restore the ecological life of Windward streams and estuaries damaged by nearly a century of reduced flow. For several days after the end of the interim period, Waiāhole farmers had occupied the irrigation system in an attempt to block the Waiahole Irrigation Company - the AmFac subsidiary that runs the system - from diverting water to Central O'ahu. On June 21, Circuit Judge Daniel Heely issued a temporary

restraining order against Waiāhole farmers to avoid a confrontation between Waiāhole Irrigation workers and farmers. Farmers, however, chose to defy the court order and risk arrest. Wishing to avoid a further escaltion in hostilities, AmFac then backed down and agreed not to divert the water. Since 1992, the aquifer systems of Windward O'ahu have been designated groundwater management areas, requiring water-use permits for any withdrawal or diversion of water. Groups applying for Waiāhole water include OHA; the Bishop, Robinson and Campbell Estates; the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and groups representing Windward farmers. Under the temporary order issued by the state Water Commission last December, the Windward side has received 16 million gallons a

day (mgd) from ihe Waiāhole Ditch irrigation system; the Leeward side has 12 mgd. The Water Commission has been holding hearings to determine how to divide up the limited water resources. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, recognizing the cultural and environmental importance of Windward O'ahu concems, has eome out in support of Windward farmers. In its application to the Water Commission OHA is asking for a reservation of 11.1 mgd for present and future traditional uses of water on public trust lands in Waiāhole and has submitted a petition to amend the interim instream flow standard to completely restore all Windward O'ahu streamflows affected by the Waiāhole ditch system. The Water Commission is scheduled to begin contested case hearings in late August. The hearings will ran into the fall with a decision expected when they are completed. Several pre-hearing meetings and conferences are scheduled statewide for July and August. For more information on upcoming hearings eall the state Water Commission at 587-0214.

■■■^■■^^^^^^^■■■^^^^■^^^■^■^■^^^■^■^■^■^^■•■■•■^■^■■•■■^■■■■■■■■■^■■■^•■■■■•■■■^^^^■■■■••■■■^•^••■■■■^■■■■■^■^^^^^■■^■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■•■■■■■■■■■■■■■•■■■■■■■■■■■■■^■■■■■■•■■■■■■■•■■•■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■•■■■■■■■■■■■■■■•^ Waiāhole valley: Farmers want the water to keep flowing their way. Photo by Deborah Ward