West Maui Water Official Faces Backlash After Wildfires: Farmers and Advocates Rally in Support
Amidst the aftermath of the catastrophic wildfires that ravaged parts of Maui, a top water official is being reassigned, leading farmers, activists, and lawyers to rally in his defense. Kaleo Manuel, a member of the state Commission on Water Resource Management, has been accused of contributing to the rapid spread of the fires and has become a scapegoat in the ongoing finger-pointing. However, supporters of Manuel question the accuracy and motives behind the claims made by West Maui Land Co., a land developer alleging that the water commission delayed additional water resources during the blaze.
Farmers Charles and Lauren Palakiko, who cultivate taro, a vegetable used in Native Hawaiian dishes, have joined the growing chorus demanding Manuel’s reinstatement. Charles Palakiko dismissed the claims made by West Maui Land Co., asserting that they are simply using the fires as an excuse to tap into his stream, which he relies on for his farm. He firmly believes that Manuel is being wrongly blamed for the situation.
Glenn Tremble, an executive at West Maui Land Co., wrote to Manuel accusing the water commission of delaying the approval of their water diversion request on the day of the fires. Tremble suggested that the additional water could have been used by firefighters to combat the blaze. However, the specifics and timeline surrounding the alleged delay remain contested.
The letter from Tremble requested that the water diversion rules be suspended for the company during the emergency period, granting them the ability to divert more water for fire prevention. It also sought changes to existing rules that would allow the filling of reservoirs during fires. In response, the commission’s chairperson, Dawn Chang, stated in a written communication that the company’s requests would be granted.
Following the news coverage of Tremble’s letter, Manuel faced criticism from conservative pundits and politicians. Even Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, weighed in on the matter. Ramaswamy suggested a connection between the alleged delay and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) without offering any further explanation.
In a surprising move, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Manuel’s reassignment to a different division. While the statement emphasized that the reassignment did not imply any wrongdoing on Manuel’s part, Governor Josh Green seemed to imply that Native Hawaiians were causing obstacles to water diversion efforts, even during emergencies.
The decisions and statements made by government officials regarding the water official’s reassignment have sparked concern and anger among farmers and activists. Charles Palakiko clarified that his stream is not connected to the Lahaina water system, refuting claims that water from his stream could have aided in firefighting efforts. He stated that he permitted the developer to access his stream after a call from a company employee, but over two weeks later, his water allocation remains lower than usual.
West Maui Land Co. has a history of conflicts with Manuel and the water commission, including fines for violations related to water usage and environmental regulations. Meanwhile, two Maui residents have filed a lawsuit against the Commission on Water Resource Management and its chairperson, arguing that Manuel’s reassignment violated state laws regarding public comment and meeting procedures.
The controversy surrounding the reassignment of Kaleo Manuel reflects the deep-rooted tensions and conflicts over water resources in Maui. As stakeholders continue to seek accountability and justice, the fate of the water official remains uncertain.
