Maui Company Claims Water Request Delayed During Wildfire Due to Consultation with Farmers by State Agency Focused on 'Water Equity'

A Land Company in Maui Claims Delay in Water Grant Hindered Wildfire Fight

A land company in Maui has claimed that a state agency's delay in granting their request for water hindered their efforts to fight the recent wildfire on the island. The West Maui Land Company alleged that the Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) first had to consult with local farmers before granting the request, causing a critical delay. By the time the request was approved, it was too late to effectively combat the fire.

The wildfire has resulted in a death toll of 111, including children, and many areas still need to be searched as hundreds of people remain missing.

West Maui Land Company Frustrated with Delayed Response in Diverting Water

Glenn Tremble, a representative of the West Maui Land Company, has expressed frustration over the delayed response from a state agency in diverting water from streams during a recent fire in Lahaina, Hawaii. Tremble stated that he made the request on August 8, but did not receive a response for several hours. He believes that if the request had been approved immediately, more water could have been made available to the fire department.

Tremble emphasized the need for faster action during emergencies.

Criticism of Hawaiian Official's Comments on "Water Equity"

Manuel, the deputy director, has faced criticism for his comments on "water equity." A video clip resurfaced on social media where Manuel discusses the need for conversations about equity when it comes to water. He emphasizes the importance of sharing water but highlights that it requires genuine discussions about fairness and equality.

Manuel Refuses to Divert Water from Streams

The Hawaiian official in charge of water resources, M. Kaleo Manuel, is facing criticism for his refusal to divert water from streams to help extinguish the Maui fires. Manuel believes that water should be revered and not used for such purposes.

West Maui Land Company Expresses Disappointment in Water Presence

The state's website mentions that Manuel has been working on incorporating planning and indigenous knowledge into water advocacy and management in Hawaii. The West Maui Land Company expressed their disappointment in a letter, stating that they were devastated by the presence of water in streams while their homes, businesses, lands, and lives were destroyed by fire.

Manuel Reassigned to Another Division

Manuel, an employee of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, has been reassigned to a different division. The department clarified that this reassignment was not due to any wrongdoing on Manuel's part.

DLNR Aims to Aid Maui Wildfire Recovery

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is moving the First Deputy of the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), Kaleo Manuel, to another division within DLNR. This decision is aimed at allowing CWRM and the Department to concentrate on helping the people of Maui recover from the recent wildfires.

The article discusses the deployment of First Deputy Manuel and emphasizes that it does not imply any wrongdoing on his part. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) urges the media and the public to refrain from making judgments until all the facts are revealed.

Third-Party Investigation into Government Agencies' Response to Fires

Additionally, Hawaiian Electric is being criticized for allegedly prioritizing the development of its green energy network over necessary modernization and repairs of its electrical grid. The state attorney general plans to conduct a third-party investigation into the response of state and local government agencies to the recent fires.