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The state water commission is ordering Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar and Wailuku Water Co. to divert less water from three Central Maui streams.
Today’s decision is designed to give downstream residents more water to grow taro and to restore natural habitats.
But Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwake says the decision only restores “a minimum trickle” of water for downstream residents and is a “miscarriage of justice.”
The decision calls for the restoration of 12.5 million gallons per day to the Waihee, North Waiehu and South Waiehu streams.
This is less than the 34.5 million gallons per day the commission’s hearing officer recommended.
The order also allows existing diversions from Iao and Waikapu streams to continue.
