In the midst of a legal face-off regarding water rights and usage on Maui, Maui Land and Pineapple (MLP) has thrown a countersuit into the fray against TY Management. MLP's move is in response to a previous lawsuit that accused the company of failing to maintain the water systems upon which the Kapalua golf courses and surrounding communities rely. MLP’s CEO, Race Randle, has refuted claims of such a maintenance failure, pointing instead to scarcity of rain as the underlying issue. "The stream has been significantly lower than it has been in and water has not been available to take away from the stream on most days," Randle told Hawaii News Now.
The countersuit filed by MLP alleges that TY Management skirted irrigation restrictions for months, ultimately leading to a misuse of water intended for broader community needs. As reported by Hawaii News Now, despite clear restrictions, the Kapalua golf courses continued to sprinkle their lawns, using over 11 million gallons of water in June alone, while MLP’s agricultural tenants used none. This allegation suggests a disregard by the golf courses for the welfare of neighboring communities during a period of significant drought and mandated conservation.
In a statement obtained by KHON2, MLP has accused TY Management of defamation, asserting that their claims are false and made with the intention to discredit the company. MLP contends that their actions followed state guidance, prioritizing public trust uses over private irrigation during times of water shortage. They have also accused TY Management of exacerbating fire risks by overusing water meant for fire protection.
Meanwhile, TY Management has dismissed MLP's counterclaims, defending their actions and turning the focus back to the perceived neglect by MLP. "MLP's decision to sue TY and other West Maui water users just because they dared to hold MLP accountable is another attempt by MLP to distract the courts and the public from its many failings," a representative for TY Management told KHON2.
The escalating legal battle has wider implications for the community of Maui, particularly as the island faces severe drought conditions. With the recent relocation of The Sentry PGA tournament away from the Valley Isle due to the water shortage, the issue has also caught the attention of the broader golfing community. The resolution of these legal disputes could set important precedents for water management and conservation efforts in the region.
