ALOHA MAUI NUI 'OHANA 

VOTE YES!! 

For over a century, Maui’s water systems have been controlled by large corporations, despite the fact that our water is legally defined as a Public Trust. This era of corporate water control has been defined by a lack of accountability, maintenance, and investment –  leading to mismanagement and waste of our public water. With an uncertain climate future and more frequent droughts, Maui residents must take control of our public water supply, not leave our water future in corporate hands.

In the November election, there is a once in a generation ballot measure to establish Maui County Community Water Authorities, which will create and implement a new vision for how our water systems are managed and how our watersheds are protected for our children, our grandchildren, and their grandchildren.

“Shall the Charter be amended to establish Maui County Community Water Authorities with regional community boards to manage water collection and delivery systems acquired by the Water Authorities, including State license areas in East Maui, and to pursue long-term water lease agreements with the State to provide a long-term reliable supply of water for domestic and agricultural needs?”

VOTE YES

1. Gives communities a say in their water resources

2. Stops a foreign corporation from controlling our largest public water source
 
3. Reduce the water waste
 
4. Opportunity to establish more equitable water rates
 
 5. Opportunity to significantly increase investment in restoration of our watersheds
 
 6. Opportunity to procure investment in aging infrastructure
 
 7. New job creation in resource management

 
An East Maui Case Study
 
The privately-owned East Maui Irrigation System – which delivers water from our largest public water source – is seeking a 30-year lease from the State to divert up to 85 million gallons per day.

Because of the risks to the watershed – and our community – of a foreign pension fund controlling Maui’s largest public water source for 30 years, the first Community Water Authority to be established by this Ballot Measure will be in East Maui.
The Problem in East Maui
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP) – a Canadian pension fund with an untrustworthy global track record and the only member and investor in Mahi Pono Holdings, LLC – is currently allowed to take 45 million gallons per day from East Maui. Public records show they waste up to 50% of it. And they want even more – 85 million gallons per day – guaranteed for 30 years (a generation and a half). 

Voting Yes on this ballot measure will allow the residents of Maui (through the Community Water Authority) to obtain and manage the leases.