“Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Aina i ka Pono.”

Our state’s treasured motto directly defines the perspective within which the water rights bill must be judged: “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

That doesn’t mean that A&B, no matter how many dollars it spends lobbying, retains virtual permanent control over East Maui water. A court already decided that.

The water bill now endorsed by the governor is a sham. A&B and its buddies continue trying to fool farmers and other permit holders that they will lose water rights if there’s no bill.

Nothing can be further from reality. A&B completely distorts “righteous” and “life of the land.”

Don’t be fooled!

Michael J. Duberstein

Kihei