Moloka’i’s Water Woes

When you’re standing on Molokai’s west end looking out across the Pacific, it’s hard to imagine that one of the biggest issues facing Moloka’i residents is water. The people of Moloka’i have been protesting about a projected hike in water prices, but there’s more to it than a simple rate increase.

Moloka’i Ranch — which closed its doors a few years back — operates the water utilities. With the Ranch closed and plans for further development by Ranch owners  blocked, it looks like Moloka’i residents are now relying on a no longer motivated offshore resort operator for their public utilities. It’s a mess.

There’s more on the complicated situation in the Honolulu Advertiser and wow, it’s a slugfest in the comments, pitting pro-development voices against angry residents against the usual trolls. There are limited suggestions  for longer term alternatives for Moloka’i — or any of the other islands, for that matter.

Weirdly, Hawaii has a history of drought — the Hawaii government has declared disaster conditions multiple times. The usual restrictions go into place — don’t water your lawn or wash your car, conserve, conserve conserve. I have a hard time processing the idea of a lawn anywhere, and when I think of those golf courses all over Maui, my brain seizes up a little bit. (Okay, golf courses anywhere make my brain seize.)

I don’t know enough about Hawaii’s natural resources to have any kind of insightful opinion on the situation, but I do think that as a visitor, it’s worth asking if those grounds — no matter which island you’re visiting — are kept green with recycled water.  Go ahead, be that guy, annoy your hotel desk staff. If the situation on Moloka’i is any indicator, your questions about water matter.