Straight Talk on Maui’s Water Issues
The Public Trust Doctrine is a legal principle in Hawai‘i that says water is not owned by private companies — it is a shared resource that belongs to everyone. Government agencies, like the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), are required to protect water for the benefit of the community, the environment, and future generations. In short: water is a public trust, not a commodity for profit.
When golf courses overuse water, it lowers streamflow and groundwater supplies that residents depend on for household use and fire protection. In drought conditions, this over-consumption can mean drier land, weaker water pressure in residential systems, and slower emergency response. Prioritizing luxury landscaping over community needs increases wildfire risk and leaves local families more vulnerable.
Maui Land & Pineapple (MLP) is under a directive from the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) that prohibits simply repairing old stream diversions. Many of these intakes were found to be illegal or harmful to stream health. Instead of patchwork repairs, CWRM requires a comprehensive plan to ensure that streamflows are restored and managed in line with Hawai‘i’s public trust responsibilities.
Recently, water rates for the golf course were increased to reflect the true cost of supplying water. Even after the adjustment, the golf course still pays less than the standard County rates charged to other large commercial users. The increase was necessary to move toward fairness, but the community continues to push for stronger accountability and transparency in how rates are applied.
Legal battles consume time, money, and energy that could be directed toward fixing water infrastructure, restoring streamflows, and ensuring safe, reliable access for residents. While lawsuits create headlines, they often delay collaboration and solutions that would benefit the whole community. Real progress will come from transparency, cooperation, and putting people over profit — not courtroom fights.
Yes. Before the Lahaina fires, West Maui was using about 5.6 million gallons per day, but the reliable supply was only 4.7 million gallons per day. That’s a daily shortfall of nearly 1 million gallons — showing the system cannot support both community needs and large-scale private overuse.
Because supply is so limited, the state has imposed Tier 4 conservation measures in some areas — meaning no irrigation at all for Kapalua golf course. These restrictions show the severity of water scarcity, and why essential community use must come first.
R-1 water is highly treated, recycled wastewater that is safe for irrigation and agriculture. In West Maui, more than 3 million gallons per day of R-1 water goes unused because there is no infrastructure to deliver it to where it’s needed. Building these systems would take pressure off potable water supplies.
Without reform, West Maui will continue facing water shortages, reduced fire protection, and inequitable allocation where luxury landscapes are watered while families face restrictions. The solution is smarter infrastructure, fair allocation, and prioritizing water for people, not profit.
Wildfire response can use massive amounts of water. In just one day, helicopters, tankers, and fire engines can require up to 144,000 gallons. When water is diverted to luxury uses, it reduces the availability of this critical reserve — leaving residents more vulnerable during emergencies.