Sustainable water stewardship through the East Maui Water Authority
By Shane M. Sinenci
When I took office five years ago, one of my first goals was to address our uncertain water future.
Our communities have been left out of watershed planning and forced to navigate the privatization of our local water and the effects of climate change.
Voters recognized the need to act by approving creation of the East Maui Water Authority in the November 2022 election. The authority’s purposes include acquiring East Maui water licenses and providing long-term, affordable surface water to the Department of Water Supply.
In February of this year, a proposal was transmitted to the Maui County Council that would authorize the Department of Water Supply to enter into a water-delivery agreement with Free Market Ventures and secure a water source for water delivery in Upcountry Maui.
The agreement attempts to address ongoing water-capacity issues in Upcountry but proposes a dramatic increase in annual cost adjustments for water. And the county would no longer able to get the water needed from the East Maui Irrigation system.
The members of the Board of Water Supply have expressed frustration and cautioned against continued control of Maui’s water resources by private entities. If we want a secure water future for our local residents, we need local stewardship.
The East Maui Water Authority will work with the state and the existing permit holders to bring back local control lost over 100 years ago.
While this will not erase years of water diversion and disenfranchising in the local communities, it will allow us to move forward in a way that benefits everyone. The East Maui Water Authority can use federal and other infrastructure funding to improve the dilapidated system over time, as funding is received.
Instead of paying exorbitant water prices to for-profit entities, money can be put back into the system to reduce the cost of the water for residents and farmers and improve the efficiency of expanding infrastructure. Local watershed stewardship will assess the East Maui Watershed’s condition, identify gaps in programs and prioritize needs as staff works to obtain grant funding to mālama the ʻāina, increasing watershed health and water production now and in the future.
The East Maui Regional Community Board, also known as ‘Aha Hui O Maui Hikina, at long last began meeting at the end of February, almost eight months after the charter amendment took effect. I appreciate the board members for their willingness to take on the daunting task of reversing 100 years of private control over Maui’s water as they advise the East Maui Water Authority and appoint its director.
The board members’ localized and generational knowledge is impressive, and their passion to restore the watershed is inspiring. The county is in good hands under their leadership guided by the ʻōlelo noʻeau, “Uē ka lani, ola ka honua.” When the heavens weep, the earth lives.
I would like to thank Director of Water Supply John Stufflebean for his commitment to secure water for county residents and farmers and for his support of the East Maui Water Authority. I am also grateful to Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr., for his assistance in setting up the authority and providing the funding needed for staffing and operations.
The council received the mayor’s proposed budget on March 25, and our residency-area meetings started this week. For more information, visit https://www.mauicounty.us/2025-budget/.
We are eager to hear from community members, and I encourage you to become a part of this important process.
*Shane M. Sinenci is the chair of the Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee. He holds the county council seat for the East Maui residency area. “Council’s 3 Minutes” is a column to explain the latest news on county legislative and community matters. Go to mauicounty.us for more information.
