By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HONOKA‘A, Hawai‘i — State agricultural officials and Big Island farmers who rely on the Hamakua Ditch for irrigation are feuding over emergency repairs to the vital water system that runs from Waipi‘o Valley to Pa‘auilo.
The 24-mile ditch is a remnant of the bankrupt Hamakua Sugar Co. At one time it carried 35 million gallons of water daily, but expanding leaks have caused a major loss of water along the system.
Walker Sanders, president of the Hamakua/North Hilo Agricultural Cooperative, said last week that water has ceased to flow south of Honoka‘a, leaving many farmers in distress. The cooperative is made up of farmers trying to establish vegetable crops, macadamia orchards, nutraceutical crops such as ‘awa and other commercial crops on former cane land.
"No meters have been installed inspite of more than 70 applications by the waterless and desperate farmers in Hamakua," Saunders said in a written statement to state officials.
He also complained about the delay in a contract to make emergency repairs to the 91-year-old system. The repairs were agreed upon in a Feb. 1 community meeting with state officials and state Rep. Dwight Takamine (D-1st, Hamakua, North Kohala). About $10 million in permanent repairs have been discussed for several years.
Paul Matsuo of the Department of Agriculture’s resource management division said in a written response that the agricultural cooperative was partially responsible for the delays and that Sanders does not understand the state bidding process.
In addition, he said the billing process recently imposed on farmers along the ditch system is being refined and those who are not receiving water will receive credits.
Matsuo said he did not know when the water may be flowing on the southern end of the ditch again, blaming poor water flow on the near-drought conditions last month.
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