Hawaii Official's Delay in Releasing Water Amid Wildfires Raises Equity Concerns

M. Kaleo Manuel, former deputy director of the Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management, delayed releasing water for over five hours during the Maui wildfires, citing the need for "conversations about equity" regarding water distribution. Manuel, who considers water a tool for social justice, was transferred to another position within the Department of Land and Natural Resources following the incident. The West Maui Land Company claimed that Manuel's commission refused their request to divert streams to fill reservoirs until the wildfires were out of control.