OUR PUBLIC TRUST WATER IN EAST MAUI

A FINANCIAL EXERCISE REGARDING by John Blumer-Buell A question and “food for thought”: What is the estimated monetary value of the public trust water taken from East-Maui streams and watersheds by private corporations Hawaii Cane and Sugar (HC&S) and East-Maui Irrigation (EMI) over the past twenty years, while illegally depriving kanaka maoli the right to live their lives based on cultural traditions, including the growing of kalo? For your consideration: * The Hawaii State Constitution protects fresh water as a public trust resource that belongs to everyone, including future generations. * In 1876, construction of the system of ditches and tunnels that diverts on average 160 million gallons of water per day (mgd) from East Maui streams was commenced. * Although the current average daily water delivery through this system is 160 mgd, it is capable of capturing as much as 445 mgd during storm events. * Hawaii Cane and Sugar and East-Maui Irrigation pay about a FIFTH OF A CENT per thousand gallons from the water license areas of Honomanu, Keanae, Nahiku and Huelo. * 160 million gallons per day times 365 days per year equals 58,400,000,000 (fifty eight billion, four hundred million gallons per year). * Divide 58,400,000,000 by 1000 to get the number of “thousand gallon units”. That number is 58,400,000 (fifty eight million four hundred thousand). * According to the County of Maui Department of Water Supply the current rate for agricultural water is one dollar per thousand gallons after the initial base charges. * Multiply 58,400,000 by one dollar. That total is fifty eight million four hundred thousand dollars ($58,400,000) per year. * Multiply $58,400,000 by twenty, the number of years we are considering. Answer: The estimated monetary value of the public trust water taken from East- Maui streams and watersheds by private corporations Hawaii Cane and Sugar (HC&S) and East-Maui Irrigation (EMI) over the past twenty years, while illegally depriving kanaka maoli the right to live their lives based on cultural traditions, including the growing of kalo, is ONE BILLION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS ! Isn’t it time for a truly public discussion and constructive dialogue regarding these important financial issues and the impacts upon the kanaka maoli and our environment ? Could some of the revenues be used to build water storage for upcountry farmers and residents, improve our children’s education or take care of the the deteriorating watersheds ? What is the real value of water to our lives ? Mahalo for your consideration of these issues.