Big Isle
farmers decry loss
of Hamakua water

They say leaks in the ditch and
misuse of its flow already have cost
them some crops and may
force them to quit

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

Some farmers on state land in the northern section of the Big Island say they're ready to stop farming because of leaks and misuse of water flowing through the 26-mile Lower Hamakua Ditch.

Steven Dias, whose farm on state land is at the end of the ditch at Paauilo, says he's lost two papaya crops already and could lose a third one.

"Somebody's got to be using the water," Dias said. "It's not coming through."

The ditch, once used to irrigate Hamakua Sugar Co. fields, captures water along the slopes of Waipio and carries them southeast to Paauilo.

Like Dias, many of the 70 farmers are former employees of Hamakua Sugar Co., which closed in 1994.

Dias, 51, married with four children, says he's invested his life savings in his 16-acre farm.

Farmer Oscar Dalmacio, 46, said he had enough water from the ditch when he began farming in 1994.

Dalmacio said the last time water flowed through the ditch was late last month.

He says the lack of adequate water is ruining his business because his papayas are too small to be acceptable for market. And he's lost his avocado crop."I suppose to pick this year but all fall down," he said.

State agricultural official Paul T. Matsuo said that since the closure of Hamakua Sugar, the flumes and ditches have deteriorated to such a point that the system cannot handle carrying water at its full capacity.

"Even now, it's leaking badly," he said.

Matsuo said the use of the ditch has dramatically increased in the last several years, which probably explains some decrease in water flow to Paauilo.

He said the state has no authority to dictate who uses the ditch or the amount of water farmers take out of it.

Matsuo said officials have worked out an agreement with Bishop Estate to allow the state to administer the use of the ditch through establishing an agricultural district.

A public hearing is scheduled 10 a.m. Sunday at Honokaa High School to review the state's proposal.