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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Water panel upsets both sides in Maui water debate


Associated Press

PAIA, Hawaii — The state water commission has decided to order Hawaii's last sugar plantation to restore water to six East Maui streams to improve habitats for native plants and animals and to provide Hawaiians in the area with water to farm taro.

But Tuesday's decision has made both sides unhappy.

It goes too far for Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar but not far enough for Native Hawaiians who filed the complaint seeking to have water restored to the streams.

HC&S General Manager Chris Benjamin notes the commission two years ago ordered the plantation to restore millions of gallons a day to eight other East Maui streams.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation attorney Alan Murakami says he'll challenge the ruling by requesting a contested case hearing.