Giving up water rights should not be debatable

I’d like to address the proposed water agreement between the county and Free Market Ventures. I’ve been involved in water issues as a developer and builder in Oregon for many years. I’ve dealt with irrigation water rights and domestic water delivery on every level.

I built our home in Kula over 20 years ago and have been involved in several other building projects on Maui. I am well aware of the wait time for meters and the dwindling water supply the island is facing.

So, I’m curious why the public comment period for this was cut off over two months ago? Is this a done deal or is there still debate?

Secondly, I’d like to know how in the world this is even being debated. Why would Maui County even think this is a good idea to sell our public water rights to an out of state entity that mainly deals with real estate in Chicago? You should never give up water rights, to anyone, ever. Water shouldn’t be privatized, it’s a public, shared commodity and it’s the responsibility of the government to supply it to the public without any profit more than the delivery cost.

I highly recommend this whole idea get thrown out and have the county continue doing its job. Bring in outside engineers to design new delivery systems and wells. Giving away water rights is what desperate third-world countries do. I’d like to think we’re not there yet.

Michael Kitt⏶ Kula