On August 16, 2018, Ka Huli Ao and DHHL facilitated the fifth of ten I Mana I Ka Wai Water Law & Advocacy Trainings in Kekaha, Kauaʻi. Ka Huli Ao Director Kapua Sproat and Post-JD Fellow Mahina Tuteur gave an introduction to Hawaiʻi’s legal framework with a focus on the rights and responsibilities of DHHL beneficiaries. After Attorney Isaac Moriwake of Earthjustice presented on the status of the Waimea River case and mediated settlement, Ayron Strauch, Ph.D., hydrologist for the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), updated the crowd on the process to establish interim instream flow standards (IIFSs) for two streams in Wailua, Waiʻaleʻale and Waikoko. 

 

Jonathan Scheuer, Ph.D., then provided insight into DHHL’s water policy. Current law student Luʻukia Nakanelua walked through one case study to explore potential avenues for homestead communities to better protect their interests and resources throughout the IIFS process for Wailua.