Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 1, 1 January 2018 — WATER COMMISSION ADVOCACY FOR 'IAO [ARTICLE]

WATER COMMISSION ADVOCACY FOR 'IAO

;āina LAND & WATER

The Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) voted against fining an 'lao Valley family for using Wailuku River water to grow kalo. OHA submitted testimony to deny fining John and Rose Duey for diverting stream water through a family lo'i, a recognized public trust purpose and traditional and customary use of water. Commission members granted the Duey 'ohana a stream diversion works permit to continue their traditiona farming practices, and directed commission staff to work on streamlining the permitting process for traditional farmers. This is a vindication of the Duey 'ohana's tireless work for over a decade to uphold the public trust in Nā Wai 'Ehā, and signifies a growing recognition of the need for the State to better steward our islands' most precious resource.