Opinion ID: 2789879
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Kaloko Dam and Irrigation System

Text: The Kaloko Irrigation System (“System”) was constructed in the late 1800s by Kilauea Sugar Company (“KSC”), a C. Brewer subsidiary, to collect and distribute water to irrigate sugar cane fields in Kīlauea, Kauaʻi. The System relied on rain water from a State-owned mauka3 watershed, which was funneled through ditches, flumes, and gates into the Kaloko Ditch, then into the Kaloko Reservoir (“Reservoir”). The water was held in the Reservoir by the earthen Dam, and then distributed through flumes, ditches, and pipes to sugar cane fields makai4 of the Reservoir. KSC exited the sugar cane industry in about 1970 and stopped maintaining the System, which then fell into disrepair. In 1971, C. Brewer began to sell off some of its lands, 3 In this context, mauka connotes inland or toward the mountains. See Mary Kawena Pukui & Samuel H. Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary 242, 485 (1986). 4 In this context, makai means ocean. See Pukui & Elbert, supra, at 225. -6-  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAII REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  specifically those makai of the Dam, which were later developed for agricultural or residential uses. In 1977, the State of Hawaiʻi (“State”) and C. Brewer entered into an agreement that required C. Brewer to, among other things, restore and expand the System.5 C. Brewer formed the Kilauea Irrigation Company (“KIC”) to satisfy its obligations to the State, revitalize the System, and sell System water to local farmers for irrigation. In February 1987, KIC entered into a Water Rights Agreement (“WRA”) with an owner of property adjoining C. Brewer’s land. The WRA made KIC solely responsible for operating, inspecting, maintaining, and repairing the System and Dam. In 1987, C. Brewer sold the land under the Reservoir to Pflueger.