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- Maui Water Issues Revised
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- Robynn Takayama
Fresh water is a precious resource, particularly in island communities. However control of the water in Hawaii has been in the hands of private corporations dating back to the plantation era.
This segment, funded by a PRX revisioning grant (see original story here: http://www.prx.org/pieces/14558) explores how water diversion by Wailuku Agribusiness has affected Duke Sevilla and his family and how Duke, Earth Justice, and county officials are working to remedy this.
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Piece Description
Fresh water is a precious resource, particularly in island communities. However control of the water in Hawaii has been in the hands of private corporations dating back to the plantation era. This segment, funded by a PRX revisioning grant (see original story here: http://www.prx.org/pieces/14558) explores how water diversion by Wailuku Agribusiness has affected Duke Sevilla and his family and how Duke, Earth Justice, and county officials are working to remedy this.
Broadcast History
National Radio Project's Making Contact week of August 23, 2006
Transcript
HOST INTRO: When most people think of Hawaii, they think of an island paradise with lush vegetation and majestic waterfalls. But since Westerners settled the islands in the 19th century, the issue surrounding Hawaii?s critical water resources has been a source of division and debate.
During Hawaii?s plantation era, five sugar companies controlled virtually every aspect of working people?s daily lives including employment, housing, banking, and politics. They wielded so much power they were called ?the big five.?
To irrigate their sugar fields the companies constructed massive irrigation systems to carry water away from natural streams. These diversions immediately impacted Native Hawaiian tradition and culture, like growing taro, a root vegetable that grows best in running water. Some say the diversions also affected the plants, the animals, and the eco-system in the region.
Timing and Cues
HOST INTRO: When most people think of Hawaii, they think of an island paradise with lush vegetation and majestic waterfalls. But since Westerners settled the islands in the 19th century, the issue surrounding Hawaii?s critical water resources has been a source of division and debate.
During Hawaii?s plantation era, five sugar companies controlled virtually every aspect of working people?s daily lives including employment, housing, banking, and politics. They wielded so much power they were called ?the big five.?
To irrigate their sugar fields the companies constructed massive irrigation systems to carry water away from natural streams. These diversions immediately impacted Native Hawaiian tradition and culture, like growing taro, a root vegetable that grows best in running water. Some say the diversions also affected the plants, the animals, and the eco-system in the region.
But the Hawaiian economy has shifted and only one sugar company remains on Maui. Yet those sugar companies from the past who once controlled the land and its people still control the water. So communities like Na Wai Eha (pronounced nah vai ay ha) in Maui, have been working to take back control of the water.
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- Waiehu Stream (waiehu.jpg)
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