Post by Logan on Mar 22, 2016 19:46:51 GMT -6
Opponents turned out in force Monday to testify against a bill that would allow Alexander & Baldwin to temporarily hold on to the rights to millions of gallons of water it diverts each day from East Maui streams.
At the start of the hearing by the Senate Water, Land and Agriculture Committee, Chairman Mike Gabbard announced that 577 pieces of testimony had been submitted on House Bill 2501.
The measure appeared in large part to pit environmental and Native Hawaiian groups who want flows restored to a dozen Maui streams against farmers and ranchers who worry a recent court ruling against A&B could threaten their access to water and public lands.
Summer Sylva, staff attorney for Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., said A&B is the only entity that would benefit from House Bill 2501 because A&B is the only company with water rights on “holdover” status that are addressed in the bill. Although there might be nine other revocable water permits, “nobody has objected to their use,” she said.
Read more: www.pressreader.com/usa/honolulu-star-advertiser/20160322/281496455407101
At the start of the hearing by the Senate Water, Land and Agriculture Committee, Chairman Mike Gabbard announced that 577 pieces of testimony had been submitted on House Bill 2501.
The measure appeared in large part to pit environmental and Native Hawaiian groups who want flows restored to a dozen Maui streams against farmers and ranchers who worry a recent court ruling against A&B could threaten their access to water and public lands.
Summer Sylva, staff attorney for Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., said A&B is the only entity that would benefit from House Bill 2501 because A&B is the only company with water rights on “holdover” status that are addressed in the bill. Although there might be nine other revocable water permits, “nobody has objected to their use,” she said.
Read more: www.pressreader.com/usa/honolulu-star-advertiser/20160322/281496455407101