Priorities and Current Projects
The science is clear that in order to restore the Bay we must remove the invasive alien algae, reduce the run-off of sediment and pollutants from the land into the Bay and increase the marine life. Every project we undertake is aimed at one of these three targets.
2013
Top Priorities
Monitor and Maintain the areas cleared of Invasive Alien Algae
- Increase the number of community hukis to maintain community involvement and keep the cleared 27 acres clear.
Expand Pulama Wai
- Engage 1000 residents in run-off reduction practices over the next 12-18 months.
- Bring the total Volunteer Leader Force to 20.
- Implement and maintain a total of 16 run-off reduction project sites.
Encourage City and County to make essential improvements in stormwater management
- Obtain action from City and County to comply with structural retrofits currently required under state permit process.
Have a plan to increase fish in Maunalua Bay and commence implementation
- Develop a marine resource plan that recommends actions that will support more fish in Maunalua Bay.
- Develop and conduct community outreach to gather and incorporate community feedback.
- Present an adopted Management Plan to Division of Aquatic Resources for approval.
2011-2012
Huki
In 2010 – 2011 we made great strides by clearing 26 acres and 3-million pounds of invasive alien algae out of the Bay. Now we must sustain, manage and extend those gains.
In 2011 – 2012, Malama Maunalua and our volunteers will monitor and maintain the areas that have been cleared to ensure that the invasive alien algae does not overrun the area again. We will continue community “hukis” to clear more area of the invasive alien algae. And we will be prepared when the opportunity arises to get government support to undertake another large-scale removal.
Regular Community Hukis will continue throughout 2011 and 2012. To volunteer, please check out the Calendar.
Pulama Wai –Every Drop Counts
There are major changes in the watersheds that only government can make. However, if a significant number of the 60,000 residents, business and bay users adopt simple practices to reduce sediment run-off, the cumulative impact will make a difference, i.e. “every drop counts”
We are recruiting neighborhoods, schools, and businesses to adopt simple practices that will reduce the run-off of sediment and pollutants that choke the Bay. To learn more about these best practices, click on The Watershed Handbook and the Home Assessment forms in Resources.
Since June of 2011, we have launched three neighborhood projects.
Waldorf School students have started “Clean Fridays”. Each Friday, they are clearing streets and storm drains of debris that would otherwise end up in the bay and learning how to do Home Assessments to reduce run-off. Hawaii Kai Rotary and the Interact Club at Kaiser High School partnered with Malama Maunalua to install a rain garden to reduce the erosion from patch of land at the high school. The Kaiser Rain Garden will become a demonstration site for the community.
Ho’o Nui I’A – Making Fish Abundant
We have completed a significant survey of fishers which will be used as the foundation for new management efforts for the marine resources in the Bay. From this group of fishers, we hope that a cohesive group will emerge to guide efforts to increase the marine resources in Maunalua Bay.
We have installed signage at key access points to the Bay to increase awareness of the current regulations and we are working with government to increase the enforcement.
Projects Need Leaders
How to achieve all of this with a very small staff? To have an impact, we are seeking Volunteer Leaders, who will work with the schools and community organizations, and engage their neighbors in undertaking Pulama Wai- Every Drop Counts projects. If you are interested in being a leader for Maunalua Bay, please contact us at info@malamamaunalua.org.
