Waipi'o water pact a win for both sides

Once again, a new spirit of compromise and community values has shown itself in decisions made by the reconstituted Kamehameha Schools, formerly the Bishop Estate.

The latest decision involves water, controlled by Kamehameha Schools, that flows into the famed twin waterfalls Hi'ilawe and Hakaloa, which flow into Waipi'o Valley on the Big Island.

Since 1989, the water has been diverted from one of the falls for agriculture. Originally, it was used by Hamakua Sugar Co., which went out of business in 1993. Kamehameha bought some 3,800 acres of the bankrupt sugar company and insisted on continued use of the water for aquaculture and other purposes.

But a complaint by the state Water Commission opened the possibility of substantial fines against Kamehameha Schools and a lengthy contested case hearing over use of the water.

Rather than continue the fight, the estate has agreed to restore the water to the falls and pay some $453,000 for additional water studies.

This decision avoids a fight, paves the way for additional taro farming in Waipi'o and restores a magnificent natural and cultural resource. The same spirit of cooperation should prevail as the estate develops long-term plans for its Hamakua lands and seeks sources of water that will keep them fertile without once again shutting down the falls.