College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
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Hawaii Water Quality Extension Program
nps 319 | hawaii watersheds | kawaihae | project 99-007
 
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Natural Resources Extension

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Hawaii is a member of the Southwest States and Pacific Islands Water Quality Coordination Team


 
 
Project Name: Pelekane Bay Watershed (Phase II)
ASO Log No.: 99-007
Start/End Date: July 1998 to December 2001
Federal Funds: $115,100.00
Matching Funds: $81,814.00
Contractor: Daniel Kaniho
Mauna Kea Soil and Water Conservation District (MKSWCD)
PO Box 2975
Kamuela, HI 96743
Phone: (808) 885-6602
Fax: (808) 885-4420
Email: dpahio@hikamuela.fsc.usda.gov
Background/
Overview:
Pelekane Bay, the outlet for Pelekane Bay Watershed, has been altered with the accumulation of sediment. Conditions that contribute to the erosion started 200 years ago. The drainage sediment loads from storms over the years has contributed significantly to the problem. Silt and sediment has covered historic sites, damaged spawning grounds for fish and other marine life and altered water quality.
Objectives/Goals: To reduce soil erosion and the pollution of Pelekane Bay, restore vegetation in the watershed, and work with landowners to improve grazing management.
Methods Employed: The project was successful in increasing the amount of reliable water available to critical areas of the watershed by installing a 1 million gallon reservoir in the mauka portion of the watershed. The project has improved grazing management by creating more, smaller paddocks, to facilitate movement of cattle and management of better maintained and healthier forage. The District completed a Fire Management Plan for Pelekane Bay Watershed and with its implementation, hopes to address the problems that arise from fires in the watershed. Brochures describing the project to the community and an ongoing partnership with Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s “Legacy Program” are beneficial educational products of the project. The Legacy Program is used to train students to use technology to undertake natural resource inventory and management projects. As a result of the coordination and outreach activities under this grant, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between MKSWCD, Department of Health, Queen Emma Foundation, Department of Land and Natural Resource’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Parker Ranch, and the County Fire Department that will allow coordinated efforts to continue.
Pollutants of Concern: Silt and sediment
Watershed: Kawaihae Watershed, island of Hawaii
Size of Project: Not described in report
Affected Water Bodies: Pelekane Bay
Deliverables: • brochure about project
• “Fire Management Plan for Pelekane Bay Watershed Management Project”
• “Sediment Management Plan for Pelekane Bay Watershed Management Project”
       
 
 
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Cooperative Extension Service programs, conducted in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, are provided to the people of Hawaii without regard to race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The University is an equal opportunity / affirmative action institution.