The Makai Watch program engages community volunteers in being active
caretakers of the bay by being the eyes, ears, and mouth for the bay.
The Maunalua Makai Watch program was launched in May 2007 with the training of more than 20 community volunteers. Since then we have trained 75. These volunteers have dedicated hundreds of hours monitoring the human use of the bay and are beginning to monitor fish populations. They have also participated in alien algae and beach clean ups to improve the health of the bay.Maunalua Makai Watch volunteers serve as educators and ambassadors, encouraging all bay users to do their part to care for the bay.
Maunalua Makai Watch is part of a statewide Makai Watch program established by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and numerous non-profit partner organizations including the Community Conservation Network, The Nature Conservancy, and the Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund.Makai Watch is designed to engage community members actively in the management of marine resources as volunteers. The program consists of three main components, as described below. Each of these components has an associated training module.
Awareness Raising and Outreach: Makai Watch trains community members to provide community outreach to residents and visitors.Volunteers help to raise awareness about the Maunalua region and build a sense of kuleana by interacting with users of the Bay and providing information. Topics of community education include local history and culture, plants and animals, threats facing Maunalua Bay and current rules and regulations.
Biological and Human Use Monitoring: To encourage continued community participation, it is important that community members understand the condition of marine resources, how they are being used, and how they change over time.Makai Watch volunteers will learn how to collect information on the biological condition of marine resources, and on human use of marine resources (boating, collecting, fishing, etc.). Volunteers will be able to monitor the overall health of the Bay over time, and become stronger advocates for stewardship and pono practices.
Observation and Compliance: While awareness raising and outreach will help to reduce illegal activities, poaching is likely to continue in some areas. To reduce the willful disregard for laws governing marine resource use, local community members will be trained in how to observe and identify illegal activities.Maunalua Makai Watch has a direct relationship with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) so volunteers can immediately report violations.Volunteers will also be trained to collect evidence so that DOCARE can build a strong case against violators.
To get more information on Makai Watch how you can kōkua -- Contact:
Next Maunalua
Makai Watch Training 
