West Maui Residents and Businesses Sue Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Over Water Mismanagement

Strategic Insights -

Billionaire owner of Kapalua Golf and several homeowners' associations have filed a civil complaint against Maui Land & Pineapple Co., accusing the company of mismanaging West Maui's water supply. The complaint alleges that MLP neglected to maintain the Honokohau Ditch System, leading to increased rates, water shortages, and wildfire conditions that hurt residents and businesses. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief and adherence to their interpretation of the Water Delivery Agreements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The complaint alleges that Maui Land & Pineapple Co. neglected to maintain the Honokohau Ditch System, leading to increased rates and water shortages.
  • The Honokohau Ditch System was jointly funded by MLP and Pioneer Mill Co. to bring water diverted from Honokohau and Honolua watersheds into drier lands to support pineapple and sugarcane agriculture.
  • The system covers an area of 11.46 square miles and has a longest flow path of 11.4 miles in length.
  • The plaintiffs claim that MLP has cut water deliveries, raised rates without explanation, and continued new development projects despite claiming water shortages.
  • The lawsuit lists the impacts of water shortages and restrictions on plant life, grass, and crops grown by the farmers and homeowners involved.
  • Hua Momona Farms, a 25-acre operation that cultivates, harvests and distributes field crops, micro-greens, trees, and sod, relies on MLP's Ditch System for all of its water.
  • The nonprofit organization Hua Momona prepares hot meals using its own produce and other locally sourced ingredients, which it sells at below-market rates to its partner nonprofit organization.
  • The Plantation Estates Lot Owners Association represents homeowners of a subdivision developed and sold by MLP and is suing MLP because they believe the landowner's water management policies increased the risk of wildfires in Kapalua and damaged their properties and property values.

Statistics:

  • The Puu Kukui region receives an average of 225 inches of rain per year.
  • The annual mean discharge of the Honokohau Stream was slightly higher in 2024 than it was in 2009.
  • The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and adherence to the plaintiffs' interpretation of the Water Delivery Agreements.
  • The Honokohau Ditch System covers an area of 11.46 square miles.
  • 136 days immediately preceding the filing of this complaint, PELOA and its members were restricted to using no irrigation water.

Sources:

  • Complaint filed in Maui Circuit Court by Kapalua Golf and several homeowners' associations.
  • State Department of Land and Natural Resources' Commission on Water Resource Management.
  • Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
  • Maui Land & Pineapple Co.
  • Kapalua Golf.
  • Hua Momona Farms.
  • Plantation Estates Lot Owners Association.