Judge Finds A&B, EMI Failed to Prove East Maui Diversion Cap Needs Lifting
Last month, Environmental Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree denied a motion by Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., and East Maui Irrigation Company to revert the 31.5 million gallons of water a day cap he set in June on East Maui stream diversions … Continued
New & Noteworthy: Marianas Sanctuary, Kahala Permit
No Sanctuary: For fifteen years, the Friends of the Mariana Trench had lobbied for the area offshore of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to be designated a marine national sanctuary. In 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s … Continued
Claim that Marconi Point Developer Is Exempt From SMA Permit Need Is Disputed by City
On December 1, U.S. District Judge Jill Otake will hold a hearing on the City & County of Honolulu’s motion to dismiss a complaint from companies that allege public corruption is at the heart of why their plans to develop … Continued
Judge Decides Against Ordering Maui Fire Plan, Reservoir Lining
Last month, Environmental Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree held a hearing on an August 17 motion by the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi to require Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation Company to submit a fire protection plan to the state … Continued
For Years, Scientists Predicted Increase In Wildfires; They Were Mostly Ignored
“People in Hawaiʻi do a great job of coming together after these disasters,” Jeremie Makepa said, referring to the Maui conflagrations, the most recent disaster. “But we don’t do very well before them. We do a lot of stuff in … Continued
Board Talk: Board Approves 25-Year Easement For Temporary Sandbag Revetment
On September 22, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources did something unusual. But it was an unusual situation. A decade ago, then-Department of Land and Natural Resources director William Aila granted Graham and Marisa Chelius a five-year emergency … Continued
East Maui Case Tests Commitments to Water Conservation, Fire Protection
Above photo: Homes burned last month by the Kula fire in Upcountry, Maui. CREDIT: DLNR. On September 15, Environmental Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree will hold a hearing on the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi’s August 17 motion to amend water permits held … Continued
Emergency Order May Bring More Hardship to Taro Farmers
Above photo: In 2018, Hurricane Lane burned homes and taro loʻī of the Palakiko family along Kauaʻula Stream. Credit: Lauren Palakiko On August 9, just one day following the horrific Lahaina fire, Governor Josh Green issued the third emergency proclamation relating … Continued