Former Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management Member Under Scrutiny After Deadly Maui Wildfire

HAWAII (AP) – Kaleo Manuel, a former member of the Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management, has come under scrutiny after a land developer accused the commission of delaying additional water resources during a wildfire that erupted on Maui on August 8th. West Maui Land Company, Inc. wrote a letter to Manuel, claiming that the commission did not act quickly enough and directed the company to talk with a downstream taro farmer who relies on stream water.

Manuel’s advocates have questioned the facts and motives behind the company’s claim, as well as the state government’s decision to reassign him as criticism mounted. West Maui Land Company, Inc. had requested permission to divert water from streams to fight the growing inferno, but eventually received approval from the Hawaii commission that oversees water management.

The Maui wildfire, which is the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, has caused immense destruction and loss of life. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the state government is currently looking into the role of the Commission on Water Resource Management in the delay of additional water resources.

The state government has yet to comment on the controversy surrounding Manuel, and it remains unclear whether the Commission on Water Resource Management was responsible for the delay in water resources. The state government is expected to provide an update on the investigation in the coming weeks.