Kaleo Manuel, who lost his position as first deputy of the Commission on Water Resource Management amid criticism related to his role in the initial Maui wildfire response, has been cleared to return to the job, according to CWRM and Board of Land and Natural Resources chair Dawn Chang.

On Aug. 8, as wildfires spread across West Maui, West Maui Land Co. executive Glenn Tremble transmitted a letter to Manuel asking for stream water to be diverted to the company’s reservoirs to help fight the fires. The request was granted, but only after a five-hour delay.

A week later, after media reports fueled a public backlash, Manuel was “redeployed” to the State Historic Preservation Division pending the state attorney general’s review of the situation.

“I was informed today that the Attorney General has completed her review of this isolated issue,” said in a statement released Monday. “I would like to thank Dean Uyeno for stepping in as the acting deputy director of CWRM and appreciate his steady leadership of CWRM during this unprecedented time.”

Manuel received a groundswell of support from Native Hawaii water-rights activists and others in the community, and two plaintiffs filed suit against the state seeking his reinstatement.

Last week, the Maui County Council voted 7-2 to pass a resolution urging Gov. Josh Green to reinstate Manuel.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.