Iao Stream is flowing to the ocean for the first time in 100 years.
Wailuku Water Co., which diverts the water in connection with various business interests, allowed the release of water Monday to increase the in-stream flow up to 10 million gallons a day, as part of a settlement with Native Hawaiians and community groups.
The previous in-stream flow standard allowed portions of the stream to be dry.
"It really upset me because the law wasn’t being followed," said John Duey, a Native Hawaiian who was a party in a lawsuit filed more than 10 years ago. "It’s wasn’t fair. Something had to be done."
Duey said an 1880s map shows farmland in Iao Valley.
Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwake said the action Monday marked a first step in carrying out the agreement and that water needs to be released from other diversions to fully restore the stream.
Some native stream life requires a continuous flow of stream water from the ocean to the mountains to allow it to complete its life cycle, including the Hawaiian goby fish known as oopu. The released water is expected to help in the restoration of native stream life and agriculture.
Kamana‘opono Crabbe, chief executive officer of the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs, said in a statement that the action is "an uplifting moment and a great example of the Hawaiian community and others working together to do the right thing. … Though we have only a partial victory, it is an important one worth celebrating."
More water has also been released from stream diversions at Waikapu Stream, allowing all four major Wailuku streams to flow again.
The release follows the state Commission on Water Resource Management’s approval of the settlement in April.
In addition, the settlement included the restoration of in-stream water flows at the Waihee River and Waiehu Stream.
Wailuku Water Co. President Avery Chumbley said the standards adopted by the commission are flexible enough to address natural variability of stream flow. "We look forward to working with the commission to make this a success story," Chumbley said.
Wailuku Water is a branch of Wailuku Sugar Co., which like many plantations diverted water to irrigate fields. The company takes water once diverted for Wailuku Sugar and sells it to housing subdivisions, Maui County, cattle ranchers, golf courses and others.
Parties in the lawsuit and settlement also included Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., Hui o na Wai ‘Eha, and the Maui Tomorrow Foundation.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
