The state Commission on Water Resource Management plans to hear recommendations on eight east Maui instream flow standard petitions at its monthly meeting Wednesday in Ha'iku, Maui.

The 11 a.m. meeting will be held at the Ha'iku Community Center, 1008 Hana Hwy.

The streams under consideration — Honopou, Hanehoi/Puolua (Huelo), Pi'ina'au, Palauhulu, Waiokamilo, Kualani, Waikani, and East and West Wailuanui — have been diverted by East Maui Irrigation Company for more than 100 years to provide water for sugar in the central Maui plains. More recently, diverted stream water has also gone to Upcountry Maui residents for domestic use and to farmers in the Kula Agricultural Park.

Instream flow standards are essentially the amount of water required to flow in a stream for the protection of native fish and wildlife, recreation, scenic views, and other beneficial stream values.

"The process we've applied in east Maui provides a framework to consistently and transparently assess and balance competing stream uses. We believe that the proposed management decisions are reasonable and will allow us to proceed responsibly based on best available information," said Ken Kawahara, Water Commission deputy director.

For information, call (808) 587-0214 or 984-2400 toll free from Maui for information. Information available online at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm