Water takes center stage at West Maui candidate forum

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Water was a key issue at a beachfront forum for candidates in West Maui Wednesday night.

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Lahaina Strong hosted a community-led candidate forum ahead of this year’s general election.

Organizers brought together candidates for Maui County mayor and County Council races to meet with the community and share priorities, plans and vision for the county’s future.

County water systems discussed

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, who is up for reelection, answered questions about the county purchasing three water systems in the region, along with a tentative deal to buy the Honokohau Water System, doubling the water sources under public stewardship.

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“If we are able to acquire them as well, you folks in West Maui, your drinking water will go from 45 percent to 93 percent,” Bissen said. “Now we are still in negotiations because what we haven’t had yet is an appraisal.”

Any deal would require the County Council’s approval.

Lahaina Strong said Bissen’s challenger, Yuki Lei Sugimura, did not respond to its invitation to speak.

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