Residents provide feedback during a community meeting to guide the future of the East Maui Water Authority. Three meetings were held at the end of October in collaboration with Haʻikū Community Association, Kula Community Association and Nā Moku Aupuni O Koʻolau Hui. Photo courtesy Maui County

During a series of community workshops, residents emphasized a handful of priorities to address the water crisis facing East Maui.

Those priorities include the county taking control of the East Maui water system and the creation of a new East Maui base yard, in addition to other infrastructure upgrades and watershed health initiatives.

According to Maui County officials, the priorities were identified after three East Maui Water Authority community workshops in Keanae, Wailuku and Haiku at the end of October.

“East Maui stands at a crossroads amid a historic drought, climate risks and competing needs for water,” EMWA Director Gina Young said in a statement. “This moment calls not only for investment in infrastructure and watershed restoration, but also for innovative financing approaches that empower Maui County and community-led resource management — rooted in fairness and equity — to ensure long-term water access, sustainability and community well-being.”

Across the three workshops, several priorities with strong community support emerged including the county acquiring and managing the East Maui water system.

Attendees pointed to issues affecting the proposed county acquisition and management of the East Maui water system that will be discussed at the state Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting on Nov. 14.

Many residents at the workshops also supported creating an East Maui base yard, saying the facility would maintain and improve the water system, support watershed restoration and provide educational opportunities for local students and residents.

Attendees reportedly asked that the base yard be staffed primarily by East Maui residents.

Other priorities centered on upgrades to existing infrastructure, as participants emphasized adding more reservoirs and lining existing reservoirs and ditches to ensure efficient water capture and retention, according to the county.

Last week’s meetings featured breakout sessions where participants identified priorities to help shape the future direction of the East Maui Water Authority. Ideas were summarized and ranked by participants on their significance.

Attendees also shared a need for more stream monitoring to better understand current environmental conditions and strengthen watershed health.

They suggested community involvement to bolster monitoring efforts and the addition of educational programs. A community Adopt-A-Stream monitoring program was also a top priority for meeting participants.

A presentation on input from the three meetings will be provided at the ʻAha Wai O Maui Hikina board meeting at 9 a.m. Dec. 5 in the Kalana Pakui Building, 200 S. High St., in Wailuku.