The Commission on Water Resource Management has deferred a decision on whether to maintain stream diversions in East Maui.

The commission, wrapping up a two-day meeting meeting in Pä'ia, Maui, said it will ask affected parties to provide more information and revisit the issue in three months, a spokesman said.

The commission's staff had recommended keeping diversions at 18 of 19 East Maui streams, which have been used for more than a century to provide water to sugar plantations in Central Maui.

The recommendation was opposed by a group that includes taro farmers, environmentalists and native Hawaiians.

Sugar grower Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar, which uses water from the diverted streams for irrigation, issued a statement saying, in part, "While we are disappointed that the Water Commission deferred action on the very comprehensive, well-reasoned and fact-based recommendation of its staff, we are somewhat encouraged by the constructive dialog held today as the Commission deliberated.

"The Commission took the time to listen to all sides of the issue and acknowledged the importance of HC&S' continued access to water, and also acknowledged the broad-based support of the Maui community for HC&S and other agricultural users."