Cover Crops in Hawaii

Introduction

The main pupose of this website is to demonstrate erosion control practices as an efficient tool to help manage erosion. The practices covered throughout this site have been implemented within the Kaiaka-Waialua watershed, on the North Shore of Oahu. The results were reduced sediment and pollutant loads into the surface and ground water resources, and consequently improved water quality of the coastal area. The surface waters affected by this project are Kiikii Stream (with its tributaries Poamoho and Kaukonahua streams), Paukauila Stream (that includes Helemano and Opaeula streams) and Kaiaka Bay.

Project Goals  

• Help the North Shores community optimize production systems, protect surface and ground water resources, and protect coastal water quality by minimizing losses of rich top soil

• Provide the North Shores community best local management practices for various erosion and sediment control

• Increase the community awareness with hands-on experience to students from Waialua High School

• Train high school students in different management practices and environmental monitoring procedures

• Demonstrate erosion and sediment control technologies and educate local land users how to alleviate erosion and sedimentation

• Present the effect of two cover crops (a legume and a grass) and compost as a way to reduce surface erosion and water quality degradation