The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补’s Water Resources Research Center hosted “Wai & We,” a daylong public event on Maui, on October 24. Rather than gathering in a conventional conference venue, “Wai & We” brought an academic water conference directly into the watershed at Twin Falls, one of the most visited outdoor stops along the Road to Hāna. 糖心视频 researchers, community members, and cultural practitioners spent the morning discussing Maui water issues before the event shifted into an afternoon community gathering with live music, streamside field trips, and hands-on engagement.
The event was co-organized by Friends of Twin Falls, the 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 Water Resources Research Center, and local community partners, and was funded by the KS Kaiāulu Event Sponsorships. Roughly 60–80 people participated throughout the day.
Water rights, research, and resources
D. Kapua?ala Sproat, 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 professor of law and director of Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, opened the conference with a keynote focused on Native Hawaiian water rights, the public trust and the challenges of translating Hawaiʻi‘s water laws into practice.
Morning speakers included Tom Giambelluca, 糖心视频 professor emeritus of geography, who shared Hawaiʻi climate trends and resources from the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal, and Andrea Kealoha, assistant professor of oceanography, who presented Maui coastal water-quality research. Liz Yannell, director of the Maui nonprofit Hui O Ka Wai Ola, discussed community-based water-quality monitoring.
“This is better than what I would imagine all of those music festivals on the mainland that people spend so much money to do,” Yannell told the crowd. “It’s just really wonderful to see you all here, showing up to talk about our waters.”
East Maui Water Authority Director Gina Young and board member Moses Bergau Jr. discussed how local knowledge and conditions can guide water decisions. A panel explored how science, cultural knowledge and community stewardship can inform water management on Maui. Participants continued the conversation in talk-story circles over lunch.
The afternoon featured live music, community booths and streamside field trips. Participants collected water samples, joined guided watershed walks, looked for stream critters and toured new weather and stream monitoring equipment in Hoʻolawa Valley.