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Wai and Watershed Recovery Planning

Mid-Term

3 to 5 years for project completion

Timing
Long-Term

6 years or more for project completion

Complexity

High

Phase

Planning

Cost

TBD

Kuleana

“Fresh water belongs to the public; redirect the watershed to parched lands.”

Community Quote from Long-Term Planning Recovery Survey

Project Description and Purpose

Wai and watershed recovery planning for Lahaina moku and Kula moku will plan for mauka to makai holistic restoration efforts for the well-being of the environment and people. This project involves the creation of a Wai and Watershed Recovery Working Group for Lahaina and Kula moku comprised of various County, State, federal, and community groups to discuss wai and watershed recovery current efforts and future needs. This project involves management planning for the watersheds of Lahaina moku, including:

  • Wahikuli
  • Kahoma
  • Kauaʻula
  • Launiupoko
  • Olowalu
  • Ukumehame
  • Papalaua
  • and Pohakea

This project also involves community water planning in Lahaina moku for ecosystem function, water supply for community needs and water supply for watershed restoration activities. The goal for this project is to plan for key water and watershed restoration projects from mauka to makai, such as reforestation with native plants, fuels reduction of invasive grasses, restoration of stream flow, establishment of agroforestry and agriculture, flood control, and erosion control.

Kaua‘ula Valley, Remnant Stream by Kepā Maly

Interdependencies, Roadblocks and Next Steps

Many government agencies, community groups, and private landowners remain siloed but groups must work together for holistic mauka to makai recovery and longterm success. At the core of most recovery efforts are questions of the future of Lahaina’s wai and water supply and its potential use and/or purpose. Urban development and natural resources stewardship is another challenge; development requires land and water, which places strain on natural resources and activities like reforestation, conservation, agriculture and food security, restoring stream flow, and recharging the groundwater aquifer. Oftentimes, funding for studies, planning and implementation is limited as economic benefits of wai and watershed planning aren’t recognized.

Project Details

Short-Term

1 to 2 years for project completion

Cost Estimate

$TBD

Potential Funding Sources

  • Cooperative Watershed Management Program
  • Coral Reef and Natural Resources Program
  • Philanthropic
  • County, State and Federal Partners

Existing Funding Sources

State Department of Health applied to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Technical Assistance Grants

Project Lead

County Department of Agriculture

County Department of Water Supply

Project Partners

West Maui Ridge to Reef

County Department of Water Supply

County Department of Public Works

State Department of Land and Natural Resources

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resource Conservation Service

Environmental Protection Agency

Kamehameha Schools

Ku’ia Agricultural Educational Center

West Maui Land

Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation

Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership

Kipuka Olowalu

Kula Community Watershed Alliance

Hawaiʻi Association of Watershed Partnerships

Living Pono Project (Pu’u Kukui Watershed)

Economic Recovery Commission

State Department of Health, Surface Water Protection Branch

Natural and Cultural Resources

Wai and Watershed Recovery Planning

Mid-Term

3 to 5 years for project completion

Timing
Long-Term

6 years or more for project completion

Complexity

High

Phase

Planning

Cost

TBD

Kuleana

“Fresh water belongs to the public; redirect the watershed to parched lands.”

Community Quote from Long-Term Planning Recovery Survey

Project Description and Purpose

Wai and watershed recovery planning for Lahaina moku and Kula moku will plan for mauka to makai holistic restoration efforts for the well-being of the environment and people. This project involves the creation of a Wai and Watershed Recovery Working Group for Lahaina and Kula moku comprised of various County, State, federal, and community groups to discuss wai and watershed recovery current efforts and future needs. This project involves management planning for the watersheds of Lahaina moku, including:

  • Wahikuli
  • Kahoma
  • Kauaʻula
  • Launiupoko
  • Olowalu
  • Ukumehame
  • Papalaua
  • and Pohakea

This project also involves community water planning in Lahaina moku for ecosystem function, water supply for community needs and water supply for watershed restoration activities. The goal for this project is to plan for key water and watershed restoration projects from mauka to makai, such as reforestation with native plants, fuels reduction of invasive grasses, restoration of stream flow, establishment of agroforestry and agriculture, flood control, and erosion control.

Kaua‘ula Valley, Remnant Stream by Kepā Maly

Interdependencies, Roadblocks and Next Steps

Many government agencies, community groups, and private landowners remain siloed but groups must work together for holistic mauka to makai recovery and longterm success. At the core of most recovery efforts are questions of the future of Lahaina’s wai and water supply and its potential use and/or purpose. Urban development and natural resources stewardship is another challenge; development requires land and water, which places strain on natural resources and activities like reforestation, conservation, agriculture and food security, restoring stream flow, and recharging the groundwater aquifer. Oftentimes, funding for studies, planning and implementation is limited as economic benefits of wai and watershed planning aren’t recognized.

Project Details

Short-Term

1 to 2 years for project completion

Cost Estimate

$TBD

Potential Funding Sources

  • Cooperative Watershed Management Program
  • Coral Reef and Natural Resources Program
  • Philanthropic
  • County, State and Federal Partners

Existing Funding Sources

State Department of Health applied to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Technical Assistance Grants

Project Lead

County Department of Agriculture

County Department of Water Supply

Project Partners

West Maui Ridge to Reef

County Department of Water Supply

County Department of Public Works

State Department of Land and Natural Resources

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resource Conservation Service

Environmental Protection Agency

Kamehameha Schools

Ku’ia Agricultural Educational Center

West Maui Land

Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation

Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership

Kipuka Olowalu

Kula Community Watershed Alliance

Hawaiʻi Association of Watershed Partnerships

Living Pono Project (Pu’u Kukui Watershed)

Economic Recovery Commission

State Department of Health, Surface Water Protection Branch

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