Project Name: |
Pelekane Bay Watershed (Phase II) |
Start/End Date: |
July 1998 to December 2001 |
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. |
Watershed: |
Kawaihae Watershed, island of Hawaii |
Deliverables: |
• brochure about project
• “Fire Management Plan for Pelekane Bay Watershed Management Project”
• “Sediment Management Plan for Pelekane Bay Watershed Management
Project” |