Isle Court Clarifies Key Water Ruling

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 30, 2012

~~<p>In an important clarification of its 1973 landmark case involving water rights, the Hawaii Supreme Court yesterday defined state ownership of surplus water as a public trust for the people.</p>
<p>The decision comes on the eve of the departure of retiring Chief Justice William S. Richardson and includes a restatement of the philosophy that has guided the part-Hawaiian justice in his 17 years as head of the Hawaii judiciary.</p>
~~

In an important clarification of its 1973 landmark case involving water rights, the Hawaii Supreme Court yesterday defined state ownership of surplus water as a public trust for the people.

The decision comes on the eve of the departure of retiring Chief Justice William S. Richardson and includes a restatement of the philosophy that has guided the part-Hawaiian justice in his 17 years as head of the Hawaii judiciary. Login for more...