Molokai homesteaders urge DHHL to take over irrigation, allow smaller ag lots and protect historic site

At the Hawaiian Homes Commission meeting in Kalamaula on April 22, Molokai beneficiaries urged the commission and staff to assume control of the Molokai Irrigation System and to make land-use changes that would let more families farm and live on homestead lands.

The Molokai irrigation system supplies water used for homestead agriculture across the island, and testifier Glenn Tevis said the system is “our lifeline to food production” and that many homesteads remain without agricultural water. “I estimate that over 100 agriculture homesteads are without access to water … it's about 150 to 200 homesteads without agricultural water,” Tevis said, arguing that lack of ag water forces families to use more expensive domestic water and reduces local food production.

Why it matters: Commissioners and testifiers said limited access to agricultural water, high utility costs, and large undeveloped lots combine to suppress farming and increase costs for families who want to grow food on Hawaiian home lands. Tevis and others said the irrigation system historically produced significant revenue for Hawaiian home programs and that mismanagement and past transfers reduced homesteader access.

Details and requests: Tevis told commissioners that the system had been mismanaged after control shifted from the Hawaiian Homes Commission to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and then to the Department of Agriculture. He said federal funding for water infrastructure had required DHHL to give up some water rights in past deals and that homesteaders originally “gave up their rights to build this system.” He urged DHHL to consider taking over the Molokai Irrigation System and suggested co-management with homesteaders and operational changes—such as running pumps at night and pursuing on-site renewable power—to reduce electricity costs.

Other Molokai speakers backed Tevis. Commissioner Kolepa said she supports taking control of the irrigation, calling water “life,” and described tours of island lands that underscored the mismatch between available land and water access. Several beneficiaries and commissioners also supported subdividing large 35‑acre agricultural leases into smaller half‑acre or 1‑acre subsistence lots so more families can live next to and farm their land; testifiers said few current lessees farm more than 10% of large parcels and that dividing parcels could increase productive use and lower per‑household infrastructure cost.

Historic site and reconsolidation requests: Separately, resident Walter Reedy asked the commission to consider reconsolidating a subdivided lot (Lot 69 E) so he can expand a food forest and protect a historic site identified in Molokai site surveys. Reedy said he and the department recently cooperated to clear invasive species from the site and requested guidance on next steps. Commission staff advised that the legal status of a subdivided lot must be checked and suggested land management staff follow up.

Pests and seed banks: Community speakers also raised conservation concerns. Beneficiary Kunani Nihiʻipale outlined a community seed‑bank effort called Niu na Molokai and warned that the coconut rhinoceros beetle threatens island food trees. She asked the commission for resources to support local nursery and pest‑response efforts to protect palms used for food and cultural practices.

Commission response and next steps: Chair Watson and other commissioners said they are considering options including a possible DHHL takeover of the irrigation system and increased outreach and workshops for lessees. The commission asked staff to gather operational and budget information, and several commissioners encouraged local co‑management or advisory groups that include experienced homesteaders. No formal motion or vote to change ownership of the irrigation system occurred at the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners and community members said they will continue follow-up on water‑system costs, potential renewable power retrofits, subdivision policy, and reconsolidation requests; staff were asked to report back with more detailed operational and legal information.