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_Junyaa

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: She go</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @_Junyaa, who might need a new ride.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: She go

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Christian Shimabuku

Sports

In what was unquestionably the defensive play of the season for the University of Hawai‘i football season thus far, safety Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen says he was just acting on instinct. 

With six minutes left and Stanford driving deep in Hawai‘i territory, Mendiola-Jensen swooped in and got vertical to intercept a Ben Gulbranson pass attempt, allowing the Rainbow Warriors to win 23-20 on consecutive field goal drives rather than let Stanford build an insurmountable two-possession lead late.

"Coach told me to just let it rip. Play aggressive. I saw my feet, and kind of went blank for a little bit and ended up making a play," Mendiola-Jensen said following a recent team practice. "But at the end of the day, I feel like it was an all-around effort. I think we all made big plays."

Hawai‘i's Week 0 victory over Stanford turned out to serve as the ultimate showcase for the Rainbow Warrior program. The 'Bows and Cardinal were the only college game being shown at the time of Kansei Matsuzawa's game-winning field goal, only adding to the national exposure that the CBS broadcast provided. 

Viewers across the college football world became enamored with 

's story, as well as the powerful right leg of 

. The grit of quarterback Micah Alejado, who 

gutted out the second half on an injured ankle

On Monday, the Rainbow Warriors swept the Mountain West's weekly awards despite conference counterparts UNLV and Fresno State also taking the field over the weekend. Alejado was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while Matsuzawa was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. 

Meanwhile, Mendiola-Jensen was named the Defensive Player of the Week after logging four tackles, one interception and two pass breakups, one of which was a dropped potential pick-6. Pro Football Focus, which specializes in football analytics, gave Mendiola-Jensen a game grade of 90.0 against Stanford, the highest grade for an FBS player in Week 0. 

"I don't even know what the difficultly was, because I kind of went blind in that moment," Mendiola-Jensen said of his game-saving interception. "I just saw the quarterback get his arm back and then somehow ended up with the ball."

Mendiola-Jensen, a Pearl City native, was a standout cornerback for Punahou. With rangy size and athleticism at 6-foot-1, he chose UNLV over a dozen Division I offers. The Rebels moved him to receiver early on in his time in Las Vegas. 

"As a young kid, I just grew up wanting to play football. When I was playing at 10 years old, to be honest, I just wanted to be on the field, make an impact on the team, and add value. And that was where I was able to add value," Mendiola-Jensen recalled. 

UNLV moved Mendiola-Jensen back to defensive back as a sophomore. Following the season, he decided to return home to the University of Hawai‘i as a walk-on in 2023. 

"There's no place like home. Hawai‘i raised me as a little kid. Shoot, I lived here all my life," said Mendiola-Jensen, whose cousins 

Kawika, Noah and Kamuela Borden played for the Rainbow Warriors in the past.

 "I have a legacy through here, and I'm able to continue their legacy. Basically, play for the state, play for something more than us."

Mendiola-Jensen returned home hungry to play in 2023 and began to earn playing time despite his walk-on status. A broken collarbone limited him to three games, but he was able to preserve a redshirt and eventually earned a scholarship. 

In 2024, Mendiola-Jensen returned to full health and appeared in all 12 games for the Rainbow Warriors, starting nine at safety. Competition is rampant within the team during spring ball and fall camp, and Mendiola-Jensen had to earn his starting spot at free safety again. 

"Can't think of a guy any more deserving, especially the offseason he's had, the ups and downs of last season," UH safeties coach Nick Locher said. "The guy really challenged himself in the offseason, made phenomenal improvements, and he got what he deserved (against Stanford). 

"Was the game perfect? No, but he knows that. And there's some stuff we got to clean up, but overall, I thought he played really well. His maturity and his emotional control and leadership, all that stuff is great. Hopefully we can continue to get better, and he'll have a great year for us."

Another uniquely Hawai‘i part of UH's nationally televised game was when Mendiola-Jensen and 

, the team's two starting safeties, both had hair flowing out of their helmets, as did backup safety Matagi Thompson, who also saw playing time on Saturday. The hair is an attribute head coach 

 noticed among his teammates during his playing days and one he certainly embraces among his own players. 

"I actually saw a comment earlier on (social media app) X talking about the Hawai‘i safety room has the best hair, and that's pretty funny," Mendiola-Jensen said. "We're just a bunch of local boys. That's just how we rock. Started with Leonard Peters and all those guys before, and now we're just doing it."

Added Locher, a native of Georgia: "A lot of times, the safeties set the mentality for your defense and what your what your mindset is going to be, what your preparation is going to look like. The fact that pretty much all the (safeties) that played in the game were from Hawai‘i is something special for this team and this state and this program.

"It's been great, especially for me not being local and having guys who truly understand what this state's about, truly understand what coach Chang wants to do with the program. I've been very fortunate, and it's been a blessing to coach these guys."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen 082725

<title>Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen perseveres to provide game-saving moment for UH football</title>

Mendiola-Jensen, a Punahou alumnus who joined the Rainbow Warriors as a walk-on, was named the Mountain West Player of the Week on Monday.

Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen perseveres to provide game-saving moment for UH football

Toby Morris

Aloha Spirit

Viewpoints

Hawaiian canoe clubs, one of the strongest pillars left of Hawaiian culture today, offer both keiki and kupuna an ocean lifestyle focused on ocean knowledge, indigenous tradition and competition. Yet their deeper legacy could be one that ties them to the stewardship of their ahupua’a and an abundant nearshore fishery. Today, these clubs could be leveraged as ‘ohana that take on the critical role as the practioners of lawa’ia pono (fish responsibly)

The State’s Holomua Initiative seeks to restore abundance to nearshore fisheries through community-based management. This effort depends on local knowledge and engagement. Canoe clubs, rooted in ‘ohana from their districts and on the water daily, are natural leaders. Their members already observe changes in the environment and are deeply connected to the health of the ocean and shoreline. All that is missing is to focus on what lives beneath the surface of the water and a desire to make the fishing grounds alive again.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Makai Watch program provides a way forward. By training community members to observe, report, and educate, Makai Watch empowers locals to protect their resources. Canoe clubs, with their organizational strength and cultural standing, are ideally positioned to carry this work forward.

In Kailua, the organization Manu ‘Iwa O Ka Malanai has already shown what this looks like. Working with canoe clubs, they promote the principles of Lawa‘ia Pono — responsible and respectful fishing. By teaching paddlers about spawning cycles, seasonal closures, and harvesting only what is needed, they are blending culture, sport, and stewardship. This model ensures future generations will inherit knowledge passed down from their kupuna and healthy, abundant fisheries.

The vision is clear: canoe clubs as guardians of the shoreline. Paddlers can become educators, observers, and protectors — helping DLNR, strengthening their sense of “place” and building pride in their communities. Whether the Holomua Initiative is charting the course or not, and whether Makai Watch and the DLNR are on board, canoe clubs are where the ocean people come to play, train and raise their keiki in tradition. It’s time for them to take tradition up a notch.

Toby Morris is a paddler, surfer and Kailua waterman

Kailua Canoe Club blessing 16x9 Large

<title>Community Voices: Canoe clubs, guardians of our nearshore fisheries</title>

Hawai‘i's canoe clubs can take a tradition up a notch by leveraging their expertise to guide fishing practices in the Islands.

Community Voices: Canoe clubs, guardians of our nearshore fisheries

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Hawaii History

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"FRIDAY, AUG. 29"}]

 the Christchurch earthquake, which killed 185 people,

 impacts Mareta Percival, who becomes a substitute teacher, starts a choir and changes lives. Following its world premiere at the 

 of all time in New Zealand. It opens in theaters on Oʻahu and Maui on Aug. 28, with plans to open in theaters on the Mainland after that. 

This 95-minute documentary follows the stories of several student workers who share their culture with tourists and kamaʻāina as part of programs at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

 Featured students include dancers who take the stage in the “Hā: Breath of Life Show.” It premieres at theaters in Hawaiʻi on Friday, Aug. 29. 

 a nine-part mini series which stars Jason Momoa, and premiered Aug. 1 on Apple TV+. It shares the story of Kaʻiana, played by Momoa, as he tries to unify the Islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century. New episodes of the mini-series drop every Friday through Sept. 19. The show was written and executive produced by Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett. The cast stars Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, 

, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka and Te Kohe Tuhaka, among others. 

Enjoy an air show, activities for keiki, and local food and craft vendors on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a screening of “Miles, Morale and Memories: Bob Hope and WWII,” which includes a panel discussion with Gary Sinise, Linda Hope and Martha Bolton. On Saturday, the Mākaha Sons will perform in a free concert. Doors open at 3 p.m. The event starts at 4 p.m. On Monday, there will be a film screening of “Surrender of the USS Missouri.” Most events take place at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. 

Enjoy carnival games and prizes, food trucks, craft and vendor booths, and live entertainment at the Wai Kai Events Lawn on Saturday and Sunday. General admission is $10, if purchased in advance. It is $5 for keiki, 5 years old or younger. Same-day tickets increase in price by $5 each. 

 The Hawaiʻi United Okinawa Association’s 43rd annual 

 runs Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31. Enjoy live entertainment starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Bon Dance, which is open to the public and does not require a ticket, will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday. General admission is $10. For seniors, general admission is $5. Flat-rate parking at Hawaiʻi Convention Center will cost $15 with no in-and-out privileges. 

The fourth annual Hawai’i Swim Show includes designer showcases at the ‘Alohilani Resort, Waikīkī. Access to the marketplace with 

 is free and does not require tickets. The Hawaiʻi Swim Show runs Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31. General admission is sold out, but VIP access, which includes access to designer showcases, seating along the runway, in-and-out access, and an exclusive gift bag with sponsored items, is $150 per day. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"SUNDAY, AUG. 31"}]

Enjoy music from DJs at The District night club at Ala Moana Center. The 3,400-square-foot night club includes a 23-foot DJ booth, as well as a VIP lounge, VIP karaoke rooms and four levels of bottle service. The aloha-themed party has a “bikini & board shorts OK” dress code. Entrance at 10:45 p.m. with RSVP through Event Brite is free. Entrance at 11 p.m. is free with college or military ID. 

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

<title>Your guide to Labor Day weekend</title>

Wondering how to spend the long weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered. Check out activities for the 80th Commemoration of WWII, including an air show plus a free concert by the Mākaha Sons; enjoy the Okinawan Festival; or find the latest fashion at the Hawaiʻi Swim Show. Learn more about these events and others happening Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31.

Your guide to Labor Day weekend

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

If you missed the 2025 Okinawan Festival — or didn’t get enough Okinawan food — get ready to FEAST.

 is coming Sept. 1 to 15. For about two weeks, Okinawan-owned (and Okinawan-at-heart) restaurants offer a variety of specials designed to celebrate Okinawan food and culture.

Scroll below for the delicious line-up of this year’s FEASTival specials:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Aloha Amigo"}]

: This FEASTival exclusive is an oxtail birria “ramen” that features Okinawa soba noodles. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Aloha Andagi"}]

: Sept. 20 and 21, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (or sold out)

: Aloha Andagi will be popping up in Marukai Dillingham's covered parking lot. The biz will offer regular andagi, Okinawan sweet potato andagi and Okinawan seasoned rice. Cash only 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Aloha Tofu Factory"}]

: Aloha Tofu Factory is featuring a specialty jimami tofu (Okinawan peanut tofu) with a sweet and savory sauce; limit five per customer. The business will be making 50 jimami tofu per day, so preorders are recommended. The biz will also offer discounts on yushidofu (soft tofu with a custardy texture), and its 75th anniversary ʻOhana soy sauce bottle. 

: Call 808-845-2660 to preorder (specific order, pickup date and time) for pick-up at the Aloha Tofu Factory; follow the biz on Instagram (

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Beer Lab HI"}]

: The Hall by Beer Lab (98-1005 Moanalua Road), Puck’s Alley location (2600 S. King St. Ste. 107, Honolulu)

: Beer Lab HI will making a limited-time Karii (Okinawan sweet potato ale) with a new bingata design on the can. Preorders start at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 online. Karii will be available on tap at all Beer Lab HI locations from Aug. 29 until sold out.

Beer Lab’s Pearlridge Center location will serve beni imo crème brulee (roasted Okinawan sweet potato layered with sweet potato custard and topped with a caramelized sugar crust, honeycomb candy and whipped cream) and oxtail soki soba (soki soba in dashi broth topped with oxtail, kamaboko, pickled ginger and green onions).

Beer Lab’s Puck’s Alley location will serve andachicken (fried chicken coated in andagi batter and served with Korean Rexy sauce) and birria taco rice (modern Okinawan dish made with slow-braised beef birria, housemade salsa and shredded cheese on a bed of rice). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Chibi Confectionery"}]

: Feast on desserts like Shikuwasa jello cream cheese squares (shikuwasa jello that’s made from scratch atop a layer of cream cheese with a brown sugar shortbread crust, served with fresh whipped cream) and Okinawan sweet potato crunch (Okinawan sweet potato custard atop a buttery macadamia nut crust). The specials will be available to order via the business’s website

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Chillest Shave Ice"}]

: Sept. 1-15 (closed Wednesday), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (1-9 p.m. Tuesday)

: The Kaimukī dessert shop will feature a Shikuwasa (Okinawan citrus) shave ice and caramel Kokuto (Okinawan black sugar) drizzle 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ige’s Halawa"}]

: There will be three pre-order pick-up days specifically for Auntie Kay’s Okinawan sweet potato manju during FEASTival on Sept. 3, 6 and 10. Pre-orders for both manju and FEASTival sale items will close when dishes are sold out. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ilaya Eatery"}]

: Ilaya Eatery is a contemporary Filipino food pop-up that’s at fishcake Hawai

: This FEASTival exclusive features a Filipino twist on goya chanpuru, a popular Okinawan dish. This ampalaya (“bittermelon” in Tagalog) chanpuru is a grilled pork belly tocino with pickled ampalaya, bean curd and a cured egg yolk with vinegared rice and local fermented veggies.

Preorders are accepted until Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 9 p.m. Direct message the business on Instagram or email 

. Include name, phone number and the amount of bowls you want to preorder in your email. Pick-up is from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; only credit card payments accepted. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kapa Hale"}]

: Let Us Shoyu: Fried Rafute is an Okinawan shoyu pork that will be served with pickled ginger scallions. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kin Wah Chop Suey"}]

: When you spend $50 or more on a single order, Kin Wah Chop Suey will add in a free pork and bittermelon dish or crispy gau gee. The restaurant has an Okinawan co-owner; customers must mention FEASTival when placing their orders. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Masa & Joyce"}]

: This popular okazuya will offer Okinawan abura miso (seasoned miso using crispy pork), abura miso musubi, jyu shi me (Okinawan rice soup), andagi, Okinawan soba, pigs feet soup, Hawaiʻi Okinawan style oxtail soup and Okinawan sweet potato mochi. Call to preorder; include order, date and time of pick-up. 

: Call 808-235-6129 or follow the biz on Instagram (

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Shioketh"}]

: Shioketh is a pop-up that features Singaporean street food at Hapa Market & Grill in Palolo. The biz is offering a fusion dish of Kaya toast (a sweet bun filled with caramelized pandan egg coconut jam) and black iced tea, which is topped with a creamy Okinawan black sugar cold foam. Preorder online via the website the Thursday before each pop-up date. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sunrise Restaurant"}]

: This Okinawan bento includes goya champuru, Okinawan yakisoba and rafute. The biz will also offer takeout containers of pig feet soup, Okinawan soba, special miso soup, spare rib soup and Nakami soup. Nakami soup is not a regular menu item; 20 orders of each dish will be available every day. Include name, order and date/time of pick-up with your order. 

: Preorders are required and are already being accepted. Call 808-737-4118 or visit 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Teruya’s Andagi"}]

: Sept. 2-13 (andadog), Sept. 9-13 (special Okinawan bento)

: Teruya’s Andagi is serving up two specials. Enjoy andadogs, or hot dogs on a stick that are dipped in andagi batter and fried from Sept. 2 to 13. Call to preorder. Feast on special Okinawan bentos (Spam roll, Okinawan yakisoba, shoyu pork, bittermelon, and sweet potato mochi) from Sept. 9 to 13. Limited quantities available; no preorders accepted for the Okinawan bento. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Yo Mama’s Mochi & Snacks"}]

:  Sept. 1-15; various pick-up dates and times available 

: The biz is offering Okinawan sweet potato mochi, which features a vibrant purple hue. Choose from a nine-piece bento box ($20, minimum of three orders) or a 36-piece party platter ($55). Preorders must be paid in full to be confirmed. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"ZIGU"}]

: ZIGU is offering four Okinawan FEASTival specials: Kurobuta pork belly rafute, Mozuku (seaweed) shooters, Okinawan yakisoba and Okinawan sweet potato crème brulee. Customers can also enjoy assorted Okinawan drinks and cocktails. Four-hour validated parking is available at Hyatt Centric when you dine at Zigu. 

2025 Okinawan FEAS Tival Andagi photo courtesy Reid Shimabukuro

<title>FEAST on this: Okinawan FEASTival is coming Sept. 1 to 15</title>

A variety of Oʻahu businesses are offering specials designed to celebrate Okinawan food and culture. Specials range from andadogs and pork and bittermelon to Okinawan sweet potato manju and pork belly rafute.

FEAST on this: Okinawan FEASTival is coming Sept. 1 to 15

Everyone’s looking to save money and get the most bang for their buck. This series will show you where you can save while still savoring a good meal.

 this past spring but just added a noteworthy deal. Its new tempura and sashimi set ($19.80) includes much more than the name implies.

The eatery — which is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays — specializes in tempura, but also features other Japanese dishes on its menu.

Its new tempura and sashimi set ($19.80) includes hamachi and salmon sashimi, udon noodles, pork miso soup, sukiyaki tofu, housemade pickles and tempura. Each set comes with shrimp, eggplant, squid, pumpkin and sweet potato tempura.

For the price, it’s a deal, considering the amount of food that you get.

The tempura, which are always made to order, are always the highlight of the meal for me. They’re battered and crispy, but not overly oily. You can dip the tempura in the eatery’s tentsuyu (dipping sauce for tempura) or use any of the featured salts at the table.

Customers can still order off Tenkichi’s tempura menu during lunch; choose from plate sets or donburi. Popular options include the Tokujo premium bowl ($36) — which includes two large shrimps, unagi, kisu, squid, pork, eggplant, maitake and shishito tempura — and Matsu bowl ($27). The latter features one large shrimp, unagi, kisu, sweet potato, pumpkin, eggplant and shishito tempura.

If you’re looking to order tempura a la carte, I also recommended adding a soft-boiled egg tempura ($1.90). It’s golden and crispy on the outside, which contrasts nicely with its jammy interior.

Other popular non-tempura lunch entrees include the wagyu roast beef bowl ($29.50), chef’s choice chirashi bowl ($26.50), and sukiyaki beef udon ($15.90).

2334 S. King St., second floor (above Tori Ton), Honolulu

Open for lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Izakaya Tenkichi lunch special 082225

<title>Budget Bites: Izakaya Tenkichi’s new lunch deal</title>

This tempura and sashimi set includes noodles, soup, tofu, tempura and more — for less than $20.

Budget Bites: Izakaya Tenkichi’s new lunch deal

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

A lawsuit filed this week in Maui Circuit Court alleges that Maui Land & Pineapple Co. has failed to maintain its Honokōhau ditch system to the detriment of nearby property owners and businesses.

TY Management Corp., the owner and operator of the Kapalua Plantation Golf Course — where the PGA hosts its annual Sentry Tournament of Champions — and Kapalua Bay Golf Course; Hua Momona Farms LLC; Plantation Estates Lot Owners' Association; Association of Apartment Owners of the Coconut Grove on Kapalua; and the Association of Apartment Owners of the Ridge at Kapalua filed the complaint.

In it, they allege that the Lahaina-based company has violated promises and obligations to the plaintiffs and have "allowed the ditch system to fall into a state of demonstrable disrepair. That disrepair, not any act of God, or force of nature, or other thing, is why users who need it are currently without water."

The suit alleges that non-potable water users in the Kapalua area have been "subject to unprecedented, nearly constant water use restrictions since September 2024. "

The plaintiffs allege also that MLP has claimed that water is scarce because of low precipitation in the Pu‘u Kukui watershed, but assert in the filing that's untrue.

(You can find a July precipitation summary from the National Weather Service 

. Year-to-date in Maui County, most sites are at 60% or more of their July average rainfall, it notes, "

However, leeward areas and the Maui central valley are still limping along this year so far with only 30% to 50% of their YTD averages)."

"Plaintiffs bring this complaint to compel MLP to do what it should have done, and what it was required to do, from the start — repair, maintain and improve the ditch system for the benefit of all of Kapalua and West Maui's community members who rely upon it," the suit reads.

 is a 25-acre farm in Plantation Estates that's supplied water from the water system, owner Gary Grube told Aloha State Daily. On those 25 acres, they use the non-potable irrigation water for produce that's grown outside on about four acres, which goes into free community meals provided by the farm; watering trees planted as a host site for 

In aggregate, the farm typically uses 100,000 gallons a month and has done so for the last five years, he says.

"This whole thing is about really just getting Maui Land & Pineapple to do something about their commitment, because we just don't have the water that we were expecting," Grube says. "We know that there is enough water coming down the ditch. It's not going where it's supposed to go."

In a statement provided to Aloha State Daily, Honolulu-based TY Management — owned by Japanese billionaire 

, the CEO of Uniqlo — notes it has been a "community partner on Maui for 15 years and remains committed to supporting residents, cultural practitioners, and local businesses."

"We believe water is a public trust resource that must be managed fairly and transparently. Unfortunately, Maui Land & Pineapple has failed to properly maintain the Honokōhau Ditch, including by ignoring state repair orders from 2019 and 2021," the statement reads. "They've cut water deliveries, raised rates without proper explanation, and continued new development projects — despite claiming water shortages. These actions have increased wildfire risk and disrupted homes, farms, businesses, and even major events like the Sentry PGA Tournament which contributes approximately $48 [million] annual to Maui’s economy.

"TY has invested over $10 million in conservation and alternative water infrastructure and we’ve repeatedly tried to work with MLP to resolve these issues. After repeated attempts with no resolution, we have no choice but to join with other community partners in pursuing legal action to protect fair access and ensure water is managed responsibly."

According to the suit, MLP sold the Plantation course to TY in 2009 and the Bay course in 2010. As part of the purchases, the two organizations executed water delivery agreements, wherein MLP would operate and maintain the ditch system in exchange for payments by TY, the suit contends.

 was founded in 1909 and today stewards more than 22,000 acres of land, including preservation of the Pu‘u Kukui watershed, and approximately 247,000 square feet of commercial properties.

CEO Race Randle said in a written statement provided to Aloha State Daily that the company is reviewing the complaint filed by the golf courses, "which appears to be a continuation of their efforts to compel the use of water for irrigation during this time when West Maui is experiencing a historic drought."

"Having tried and failed to get the regulatory agencies to force this irresponsible water use, the golf courses, unfortunately, turned to the courts," Randle said. "We are following the clear guidance from the Commission on Water Resources Management [CWRM] to prioritize streamflow and traditional and customary uses, followed by delivery to the County of Maui to provide drinking water for Lahaina. We will continue to follow CWRM’s guidance.”

MLP says that the Hawai‘i Water Service is contracted to operate and maintain the water system, including regular inspections, frequent adjustments to ensure the stream flow levels are being maintained, clearing vegetation and debris, and completing ongoing maintenance on the system components.

MLP says, too, it is incorporating new technology to monitor "stream flow and turbidity conditions."

The company says it has also been making capital improvements — and has the funds to do so. For example, MLP says that in 2023 it finished relining a reservoir that services the Plantation Golf course and Plantation Estates community.

MLP also has implemented remote control and automation upgrades to the systems and completed a study for increased storage capacity along the system.

According to MLP, previous intakes at Honolua Stream and Kaluanui Stream were destroyed by Hurricanes Olivia and Lane, but the state did not permit their restoration, and the Honokohau intake was damaged by the hurricanes and not permitted to be repaired.

The CWRM designated the Lahaina Aquifer sector area as a groundwater and surface water management area in 

Honokōhau ditch was a jointly funded by MLP and Pioneer Mill Co. It aimed to bring water from the Honokōhau  and Honolua watersheds "into drier lands to support pineapple and sugarcane agriculture," but after their closures "water has been diverted by the ditch to support non-potable needs of the Kapalua Resort area ... and the Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility of the Maui Department of Water Supply."

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: She go

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: She go

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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