The recent declaration of Upcountry Level 2 drought restrictions seems to be a near annual thing for 40 years.

Every County Council and every administration the last 40 years has run for office on fixing the drought conditions for Upcountry. Upcountry gets more rainfall than most of Maui. In March, we had the most rainfall ever recorded, yet, three months later, we are in severe drought yet again?

Other areas have wells, treatment plants and storage. Kihei gets about 4 inches a year. Upcountry gets that in one rainfall sometimes.

It is not rocket science. Dig wells, build storage facilities and water catchment sites to store the water for when needed.

The political will to give all Upcountry the same water rights as other areas is not there. Money talks and the beaches and such draw people and money. It is amazing our county can’t guarantee our Upcountry residents the same they give all others.

We now have almost 3 million visitors coming who have no water restrictions. Tourism is our economy, but our residents are our communities. We all share this island.

We all need to restrict when there is drought. If all areas were asked to restrict as often as Upcountry, I can guarantee our residents would demand this to be fixed.

Enough talk. Time to act. Do what is needed to ensure all areas of Maui are treated equally when it comes to a resource our government is charged to give its citizens.

Dennis Fitzpatrick

Makawao