Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to Pay for Stream Monitoring After Violations

State commission accepts company's $150,680 proposal instead of $140,000 fine

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Honokohau Ditch, operated by Maui Land & Pineapple Co. (MLP), has been the subject of violations for failing to maintain minimum water levels in Honokohau Stream. The state Commission on Water Resource Management has accepted MLP's $150,680 proposal to improve stream-level monitoring, instead of imposing a maximum $140,000 fine. This decision has drawn criticism from Maui residents, including taro farmers, who feel the consequences are inadequate given MLP's historical diversion of stream water.

Why it matters

The Honokohau Ditch has been diverting water from the stream for over a century, impacting Native Hawaiian taro farmers and wildlife habitat. The commission's decision to accept MLP's monitoring proposal instead of a fine raises concerns about the adequacy of enforcement and accountability for the company's violations.

The details

MLP was found to have failed to maintain minimum water levels in Honokohau Stream on 28 days between January 1 and August 14, 2025. The commission's rules allow for fines up to $5,000 per daily violation, making the maximum penalty $140,000. MLP initially proposed spending $135,000 on community benefits, but later revised its offer to $150,680 for two water level gauges and two cameras to monitor the stream in real-time.

  • MLP failed to maintain minimum water levels in Honokohau Stream on 28 days between January 1 and August 14, 2025.
  • The commission meeting to consider MLP's proposal was held on February 25, 2026.

The players

Maui Land & Pineapple Co. (MLP)

A company that operates the 7-mile-long Honokohau Ditch system, which diverts water from Honokohau Stream for commercial and public uses, including irrigation at Kapalua Resort.

Commission on Water Resource Management

A state commission responsible for regulating the public trust resource of fresh surface water in Hawaii, including enforcing minimum streamflow standards.

Karyn Kanekoa

A Maui resident and member of a family that has farmed taro in Honokohau Valley for generations.

Kalei Kauhane

A resident of Honokohau, who criticized the proposed fine as inadequate.

Mahesh Cleveland

An Earthjustice attorney born on Maui, who acknowledged the community's view that the proposed fine feels like a "slap in the face" given the historical injustices.

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What they’re saying

“It was pretty junk for us to get up at 3 o'clock this morning … shuffling our keiki around, taking off work to fly over here today to testify. If you were having this meeting on Maui today, I assure you this room would be way more filled.”

— Karyn Kanekoa, Maui resident and taro farmer

“It feels more like we're getting slapped in the face.”

— Karyn Kanekoa, Maui resident and taro farmer

“I definitely kako'o (support) and understand the community's point of view that $140,000 feels like a little bit of a slap in the face, in the face of the historical injustices.”

— Mahesh Cleveland, Earthjustice attorney

What’s next

The commission is working to increase the maximum fines allowed under its rules, which could lead to harsher consequences for future streamflow violations by MLP.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between commercial water use and the needs of Native Hawaiian taro farmers and the environment, as well as the challenges of enforcing streamflow regulations against a well-resourced company like Maui Land & Pineapple Co.