Can a private-sector agricultural group formed to keep Eastside irrigation water flowing peacefully coexist with state agencies intent on establishing a public fishing area and waterbird sanctuary using some of the same water? The answer, at least so far, is
Can a private-sector agricultural group formed to keep Eastside irrigation water flowing peacefully coexist with state agencies intent on establishing a public fishing area and waterbird sanctuary using some of the same water?
The answer, at least so far, is yes.
Representatives of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources on Kauai were making preparations to own and operate the former Lihue Plantation reservoir, ditch and flume irrigation system after the former Amfac subsidiary got out of sugar in late 2000.
Then, along came the East Kauai Water Users Cooperative. Talks ensued, and now there is a memorandum of agreement allowing the cooperative to manage the water system, and the state to establish a public fishing area and wildlife wetlands at Wailua Reservoir, near the end of Kuamoo Road in Wailua Homesteads.
Currently, the only state-established freshwater public fishing area on Kauai is at Kokee State Park, where Puu Lua Reservoir and some Kokee streams attract anglers intent on landing trout each summer and fall.
Eastsiders, feeling neglected and having to make a long drive to fish at Kokee, have been using Wailua Reservoir as a public fishing area, even though it hasn’t been officially designated as such, said Francis Oishi, program manager with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources.
“We anticipate going forward with some proposal to establish it as a public fishing area,” though no timetable has yet been established, he said.
That process will involve formulating Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) regulating fishing at the reservoir, which will involve a public hearing on Kauai, he said.
The public fishing area will be low-budget, using existing funds and manpower to manage and maintain the resource, he said.
“There’s not going to be any approvals for increased hires, increased spending,” given the state’s current financial crisis, Oishi continued. “We’re going to have to live within our means, for the time being.”
Better public access, any kind of stocking program, and other frills won’t happen this year, if at all, he noted.
Anglers now take largemouth and tucanare bass, catfish and bluegill from the reservoir.
“People have been fishing this reservoir for a long time. It’s just that the public access was not definite,” Oishi said. “By establishing it as a public fishing area, that assures that there is public access to fishing.”
But that doesn’t mean state officials will build roads, parking areas or rights of way, he warned.
Employees of DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife would also like to establish a waterbird sanctuary at Wailua Reservoir, which is also known as Sloggett Reservoir.
It appears that all the proposed uses could exist simultaneously, state officials have said.
Business Editor Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
