A hearing for closing arguments in the nearly two decades-long Hui o Nā Wai ʻEha contested case took place today before the State Water Commission.

Officials offer details of approach to vital resource.

WAILUKU — Tim O’Laughlin said that since moving to Maui a couple months ago, he’s been to the beach only twice.

Still, the new chief operating officer of diversified agriculture company Mahi Pono gets plenty of water time.

O’Laughlin helped negotiate a recent settlement over key Wailuku waterways; he’s collaborating with Maui native Mark Vaught on upgrades to the East Maui Irrigation system; and he’s continuing to research cultural implications of water in Hawaii...

Mahi Pono: ‘We are not profiting off water’

After a decades-long battle over public water rights in Central Maui, there’s finally an agreement over stream flows.

Maui Water Rights Deal Praised as Step Toward Resolving Years-Long Dispute

Officials: Plan may create new chapter in ag history.

WAILUKU — Called an opportunity to change the course of agricultural history, an agreement among Mahi Pono, Hui o Na Wai ‘Eha and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been reached over the new company’s water commitments when it comes to using key Central Maui streams.

Among other terms in the agreement, Mahi Pono is requesting 11.22 million gallons per day to grow non-GMO food on 3,740 acres between Kuihelani and Maui Veterans highways — down from 36.29 mgd requested a decade ago by now defunct predecessor Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co.

A $250,000 investment on Mahi Pono’s part will install more in-stream, in-system and on-farm measuring equipment.

Also, the company emphasized that the surface water allocation is nontransferable and can be only used for ag purposes, “which hopefully lays to rest the unsubstantiated fear that Mahi Pono was going to use water for commercial real estate development,” said Shan Tsutsui, senior vice president of operations.

The new diversified agriculture company, which one year ago in December bought 41,000 acres of former sugar cane land from Alexander & Baldwin, presented terms of the deal Tuesday at a state Commission on Water Resources Management hearing in Wailuku.

Mahi Pono & Hui o Na Wai ‘Eha Reach Water Pact

O’Laughlin helped negotiate a recent settlement over key Wailuku waterways; he’s collaborating with Maui native Mark Vaught on upgrades to the East Maui Irrigation system; and he’s continuing to research cultural implications of water in Hawaii.

The new COO met with The Maui News this week to discuss Mahi Pono’s stance on water and goals for the new year. Also, the California water lawyer, who is not practicing in Hawaii, addressed muddier topics, such as rumors that the joint venture between Calif.-based Pomona Farms and Canadian pension fund PSP is working to privatize water on Maui.

“We are not profiting off selling water, and we have no plans to do so in the future,” O’Laughlin said. “Our water allocations from the state — in both East and West Maui — are highly regulated and 100 percent contingent on Mahi Pono using the water for agricultural and other reasonable and beneficial uses...

Mahi Pono Officials Offer Details of Water Approach

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Mahi Pono, Hui Reach Water Pact

Mahi Pono: ‘We are not profiting off water’

Maui Water Rights Deal Praised as Step Toward Resolving Years-Long Dispute

Mahi Pono & Hui o Na Wai ‘Eha Reach Water Pact

Mahi Pono Officials Offer Details of Water Approach