"If you cannot run a pono company..."

We learn in kindergarten not to waste water. Maybe now, HC&S will finally get the same message for water on Maui. It’s the water issue making international headlines this week. Learn more and take action on this issue >

From last Friday’s (4/30/10) Maui News:

HC&S wasting water that could be given to growers

I don’t know how a problem so basic has gotten so convoluted and misguided. The solution to the East Maui contested water case with the taro farmers is simple with a win-win solution. All Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar has to do is to give the taro growers the water it wastes every day due to overwatering. This wouldn’t affect its yields or its bottom line and the environment would also be happier as a result.

If I were Alexander & Baldwin, I would never have let this case go to the water commission. Only by negotiating with the taro farmers, who have first rights to this water according to state law, will the real solution surface. Otherwise the next generation will continue to fight this same battle.

Might is not right and the ones benefiting are some of the attorneys. I hope the water commission can come to its senses and realize this.

To A&B: If you cannot run a pono company, you shouldn’t be in business. You have turned this fight into a farmer versus farmer battle when the farmers need to focus all their energy and resources on growing food.

Glenn Ioane Teves
Hoolehua, Molokai