Kaleo Manuel, whose decisions on the day wildfires broke out in West Maui made him a political lightning rod, is once again leaving the Commission on Water Resource Management – this time by choice.

Manuel announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as CWRM first deputy effective Jan. 5, about three months after he was restored to the position following a very public reassignment to the state Historic Preservation Division, subsequent public backlash and a lawsuit demanding his reinstatement.

State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Water and Land, confirmed the resignation and expressed her ‘sincere appreciation” for Manuel’s service with the body.

“Kaleo Manuel has had an outstanding track record as the CWRM first deputy, and he will be truly missed,” Inouye said in a statement released late Tuesday. “He was always fair and balanced in his approach to making water conservation decisions. As the CWRM First Deputy, he always kept the aina, and the water rights of the people of Hawaii front of mind when doing his job. His departure is a loss for the State, as he leaves behind an outstanding track record that reflects his unwavering commitment to the people of Hawaii.”

Inouye cited among Manuel’s accomplishments on the job guiding DLNR and the Commission on Water Resources through the Red Hill crisis, implementing the Lahaina Aquifer Sector Area as both a surface and groundwater management area and helping to reorganize the commission.

Manuel first 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.

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.

On Aug. 16, 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.

Manuel’s defenders argued that the diversion served no benefit since West Maui Land Co.’s reservoirs are not connected to hydrants in Lahaina, and helicopters would not have been able to pick up water from the reservoirs for drops because of high-wind conditions.

At the time, the Department of Land and Natural Resources stated that the reassignment did not “suggest that First Deputy Manuel did anything wrong.”

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.

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

The AG’s investigation was completed in October, and Manuel was quickly returned to his position with CWRM.

“As the CWRM first deputy, (Manuel) exhibited a rare combination of expertise and compassion, ensuring that the delicate balance between the needs of our communities and the preservation of the aina was maintained,” Inouye said. “One of Kaleo's remarkable qualities was his constant consideration for the water rights of the people of Hawaii. He understood the vital role that water plays in our daily lives and the broader implications for our environment. Whether addressing issues of allocation, sustainability, or infrastructure, Kaleo always kept the aina and the well-being of our communities at the forefront of his decision-making.”

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