Water and Power in West Maui

Water and Power in West Maui explores how control of water resources has shaped political and economic power in Hawaii. The book highlights the environmental, historical, and community aspects of water management in West Maui and offers solutions for a sustainable future. It is a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and anyone interested in contemporary environmental and indigenous struggles in Hawaii and the Pacific.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2021
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

Water and Power in West Maui delves into the intricate relationship between control over water resources and the establishment and maintenance of political and economic power and privilege in West Maui and throughout Hawai'i. Written by two prominent advocates for progressive change in Hawai'i, this comprehensive volume explores topics that have only been briefly touched upon in previous publications on water law or land tenure in the islands, with a particular focus on the environment, history, and communities of West Maui.

The book's chapters on physical and legal infrastructure serve as valuable standalone guides, providing in-depth insights into critical aspects of water management in the state and this region. For instance, one chapter delves into recent state efforts to restore stream flows, a subject that is relatively overlooked in the existing literature. Furthermore, the volume delves into the inherent flaws and unsustainability of Hawai'i's management of groundwater by sustainable yield, which has far-reaching implications for the future of water supplies in a changing climate.

Through clear explanations of historical transformations and ongoing bureaucratic practices, the authors identify pathways toward liberation. Rather than presenting a narrative of how past wrongdoings have created a burdensome present, they propose ways in which water and power in West Maui and Hawai'i can be more equitably shared for the long-term prosperity of the diverse communities within these regions.

This volume appeals to scholars and historians, as well as practitioners in water management and control, and those engaged in contemporary environmental and indigenous struggles in Hawai'i and the Pacific. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that will contribute to our understanding of these complex issues.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824884529