Lāhainā fires reveal ongoing power struggle for West Maui water rights

Lāhainā was formerly the “Venice of the Pacific,” an area famed for its lush environment, natural and cultural resources, and its abundant water resources in particular.

But recent wildfires have prompted a deeper dive into the history of West Maui's water management and the long-running dispute over water use in the area.

University of Hawaiʻi law professor Kapuaʻala Sproat, an expert in Native Hawaiian water rights, said this history matters.