1st Meeting of Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) Since Maui Wildfires
On September 19, 2023, the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) held its first meeting following Maui’s wildfires, the governor’s temporary suspension of the water code, and the controversial “redeployment” of CWRM’s Deputy Director Kaleo Manuel following an August 8, 2023 request by West Maui Land Co. to divert water from streams to fill the company’s reservoirs to fight the wildfires, which he did not immediately grant. NHLC submitted testimony and attended the meeting. The meeting drew a large contingent of Maui residents in-person and online who passionately shared their concerns over the course of more than 10 hours. ...
NHLC Requests Additional NSF Scoping Hearings
After observing that many individuals and communities were unable to provide comment during the NSF’s limited scoping hearings regarding its environmental study on whether to fund the TMT project, NHLC has formally requested additional hearings should NSF continue to consider funding TMT over community objections. Read more here: Mauna Kea FAQ
FAQs Regarding National Science Foundation’s TMT Consultation Process
Read more here: Mauna Kea FAQ
NHBA Webinar – Ola I Ka Wai: Current Water Issues in Hawaiʻi
Read the overview here: NHBA Webinar - Ola I Ka Wai
Press Release: Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Concludes State Violated Water Leasing Law in East Maui
Read the press release from the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC) regarding a Hawai’i Supreme Court decision issued today involving water rights in East Maui. NHLC represented the hui of East Maui community members that brought this case. Read the press release here: Press Release - Supreme Court Decision re Carmichael Case Read the Supreme Court’s opinion here: 2022-03-03-Opinion-of-the-Court-by-Wilson-J.pdf More information about East Maui Water Rights: https://www.nativehawaiianlegalcorp.org/mauiwater
Public Testimony of NHLC in Opposition of HB2164
The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation OPPOSES HB2164, which would authorize the direct negotiation of up to 55-year water licenses without sufficient protections for the rights of the public as well as the public trust resource itself. Read NHLC’s public testimony here: NHLC Opposes HB2164 Read HB2164 here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/bills/HB2164_.htm
Public Testimony of NHLC in Opposition of SB2884
Water protectors have fought for years to have the State apply appropriate water permit review protocols to protect public trust water in the Keauhou aquifer in North Kona. These protections include review of environmental impacts and impacts on Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. Just last year, the Water Commission agreed to defer a decision to permit the Ota well to address these concerns. Pending bill SB2884 would enable automatic water permit approvals, effectively removing these important protections. Please take a moment to submit written (due tomorrow at 1pm) and sign up to testify orally (via Zoom) if you can. ...
Public Testimony of Hui of Native Hawaiian Organizations, including NHLC, in Support of Bill 48 and Resolution 21-276 Regarding Kapūkakī (Red Hill) Water Crises
Public Testimony of Hui of Native Hawaiian Organizations, including NHLC, in Support of Bill 48 and Resolution 21-276 Regarding Kapūkakī (Red Hill) Water Crises
