Maui residents demand faster water-use permits post-Lahaina fire – KITV

Report on Water Resource Management Challenges in West Maui and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Post-Disaster Water Governance and SDG 6

In the aftermath of the Lahaina fire, the community of West Maui faces significant challenges in water resource management, directly impacting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). A recent state report presented to the Commission on Water Resource Management highlighted critical needs for improved water governance to ensure sustainable and equitable access for all stakeholders, including residents, agricultural producers, and the tourism sector.

2.0 Institutional Delays and Stakeholder Concerns (SDG 16)

The administrative process for water resource allocation is currently a source of significant public frustration, undermining confidence in institutional effectiveness as outlined in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Key issues include:

• Permit Review Delays: The Commission is currently reviewing 141 water-use permits, a process residents describe as excessively slow.
• Call for Action: Community members, including local farmer Karyn Kanekoa, have voiced concerns that prolonged discussion without decisive action exacerbates water insecurity and fails to address the urgent needs of the community.

3.0 Competing Demands and Responsible Consumption (SDG 2 & SDG 12)

The allocation of water resources among various sectors highlights a tension between economic activities and community needs, a core concern of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). The current situation involves:

1. Diverse User Groups: Water usage by hotels, homeowners, and farmers is under scrutiny, requiring a balanced management approach.
2. Allegations of Misuse: An attorney from Earthjustice has alleged that two Kapalua golf courses engaged in unlawful groundwater extraction during drought restrictions, prioritizing recreational use over essential needs and sustainable practices.

4.0 Regulatory Response and Accountability Frameworks

The response to allegations of unauthorized water use tests the accountability and transparency of the governing body, which is crucial for upholding the principles of SDG 16.

• Official Statement: Commission Chair Dawn Chang clarified that no new water use was authorized. She stated the commission is seeking documentation from Maui Land and Pine and Hawaii Water Service to validate their claims that the groundwater use was an “existing use” during surface water shortages.
• Legal Imperative: The Earthjustice attorney asserted that the current use is unlawful under the existing code and must cease immediately, demanding regulatory enforcement.

5.0 Forward Outlook: Path to Sustainable Water Management (SDG 6, 11, 15)

The resolution of these issues is fundamental to rebuilding a resilient community (SDG 11) and protecting local ecosystems (SDG 15). The Commission on Water Resource Management is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, to continue addressing these critical water governance challenges.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on water management issues in Maui connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its focus on water scarcity, resource governance, community participation, and the impacts of environmental stress on various sectors.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most central SDG, as the article’s main theme is the struggle over water resources, including permit approvals, usage by different sectors (hotels, farmers, golf courses), and the need for better water management.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The issues are framed in the context of the West Maui community’s recovery and resilience following the Lahaina fire, a disaster that has exacerbated resource management challenges.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly mentions “drought restrictions” and “severe drought,” linking the water scarcity problem to climate-related hazards that require adaptive management and resilience strategies.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article details conflicts over water rights, allegations of unlawful water use, and the functioning of a governing body (Commission on Water Resource Management). This highlights the need for effective, transparent, and accountable institutions to manage resources and mediate disputes.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific issues discussed, the following targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • Explanation: The article discusses competing water usage by “hotels, homeowners, and farmers” and alleges unlawful groundwater use by golf courses during “drought restrictions.” This points directly to the challenge of managing water efficiently and sustainably among different users to cope with scarcity.
2. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
   • Explanation: The existence and function of the “Commission on Water Resource Management” and its review of “141 water-use permits” is a direct example of an institution attempting to implement integrated water management. The conflicts and slow processes described indicate challenges in achieving this target effectively.
3. Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
   • Explanation: The frustration expressed by resident and farmer Karyn Kanekoa (“We need action, we need movement”) at a commission meeting demonstrates the community’s desire for active participation and responsive governance in water management decisions.
4. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
   • Explanation: The article situates the water conflict in the aftermath of the “Lahaina fire.” The community’s struggle over a critical resource like water is a direct consequence of the disaster’s impact on infrastructure and the environment, highlighting the need for resilient resource management in post-disaster recovery.
5. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Explanation: The mention of “drought” as a reason for water restrictions and the cancellation of a PGA event shows the community is dealing with a climate-related hazard. The debate over water use is a debate about how to adapt to these conditions.
6. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Explanation: The “slow approval process for water-use permits” and residents’ frustration suggest a lack of institutional effectiveness. The allegations against the golf courses and the response from the Commission Chair, who is “asking them to provide us with documentation,” are part of a process of accountability and transparency.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 6.4 (Water-use efficiency): The “state report” mentioned in the article, which “detailed water usage by hotels, homeowners, and farmers,” serves as a direct tool for measuring water consumption by sector. Tracking this data over time would indicate changes in water-use efficiency.
• Indicator for Target 6.5 (Integrated water management): The number of water-use permits under review (“141 water-use permits”) and the time taken to process them are quantitative indicators of the water management system’s capacity and efficiency.
• Indicator for Target 6.b (Community participation): The level of resident satisfaction with the decision-making process is a key qualitative indicator. The quote from Karyn Kanekoa expressing frustration (“I’m hearing excuses, questions, and it’s pretty insulting”) indicates a low level of satisfaction and a need for more responsive action.
• Indicator for Target 16.6 (Effective institutions): The backlog of permit applications and the time until the next commission meeting (“Tuesday, December 16, 2025”) are indicators of the institution’s responsiveness and efficiency. The number of legal challenges and disputes, such as the one involving Earthjustice and Maui Land and Pineapple’s lawsuit, can also serve as an indicator of institutional stress and the need for better conflict resolution mechanisms.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kitv.com