Opinion ID: 2581050
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Water Commission's D & O I

Text: Following the designation of windward O'ahu's five aquifer systems as ground water management areas in 1992, the existing users of Waiãhole Ditch water were required to apply for water use permits. Id. In June 1993, the former operator of the ditch system, the Waiãhole Irrigation Company, [2] filed a combined permit application for the existing users of the Waiãhole Ditch water. Id. In August 1993, large amounts of ditch water became available when O'ahu Sugar Company announced the end of its sugar operations. Id. Various parties filed applications for existing water use permits, applications for new water use permits, petitions to restore water to streams by amending the IIFS, and petitions for reservations of water. Id. at 111-12, 9 P.3d at 423-24. In 1995, the Water Commission admitted a total of twenty-five parties, including the Windward Parties and HTF, and commenced a combined contested case hearing for all applications and petitions. Id. at 113, 9 P.3d at 425. On December 24, 1997, the Water Commission issued its final findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision and order [hereinafter, the D & O I]. Id. Of the 27 million gallons per day (mgd) of water flowing through the Waiãhole Ditch system, the Water Commission assigned 14.03 mgd to permitted leeward agricultural and nonagricultural uses and system losses and released 12.97 mgd into windward streams. Id. at 118, 9 P.3d at 430. However, 6.97 mgd of the 12.97 mgd released into the windward streams remained available for leeward offstream uses as a proposed agricultural reserve or non-permitted ground water buffer. [3] Id. The Water Commission also mandated that any permitted water use that was not actually used would remain in the streams to avoid unlawful waste. Id. An appeal to this court followed. Id. At the time of the appeal, various leeward parties still retained, but were not using, well permits to pump approximately 53 mgd of leeward ground water. Id. at 111, 9 P.3d at 423.