Waiawa water diversion contested

Advertiser Staff

A request by Kamehameha Schools to divert 4.2 million gallons of water from the Waiahole Ditch system for the Waiawa by Gentry development will go to a contested case hearing.

The state Water Commission yesterday did not accept a staff recommendation to allow Kamehameha Schools to divert 2.2 million gallons per day for the project.

The commission also turned down an Earthjustice petition to deny the school any water from the system, said Paul Achitoff, managing attorney for Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, which represents a coalition of environmental and community groups opposed to the Kamehameha Schools request.

"The decision today will allow Kamehameha Schools to try to make its case that they are entitled to 4.2 million gallons a day for their project," he said.

Kamehameha Schools has said the ditch system includes about 4.2 million gallons per day that comes from the school's Waiawa property. The request is for that water.

But the Makawai Stream Restoration Alliance, Kahalu'u Neighborhood Board, Ka Lahui Hawai'i, Hakipu'u 'Ohana and the Waiahole-Waikane Community Association disagree.

"In simplest terms, my clients' position is, under the law Kamehameha Schools is not entitled to take water from Windward streams to use for golf course and dust control in Leeward O'ahu," said Achitoff.