Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

CARTY CHANG INTERIM CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release March 12, 2015    

PUBLIC INVITED TO COMMENT ON WATERSHED PLANNING
REPORT FOR WEST MAUI WATERSHEDS 

KAHULUI – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invite public review of the Draft West Maui Watershed Plan: Kahana, Honokahua and Honolua Watersheds Characterization Report. The purpose of this report is to evaluate watershed processes and determine land uses and activities that may generate nonpoint source pollutants and alter hydrologic and ecological process in these three watersheds. The report is posted on the West Maui Ridge 2 Reef Initiative website at: https://www.westmauir2r.com/watershed-management-plans.html. Comments are requested by Monday, April 13, 2015 and can be submitted via email to [email protected] or via mail to Group 70 International, Attn: West Maui, 925 Bethel Street, 5th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. 

This report is the first of two reports for the Kahana, Honokahua and Honolua watersheds. The Characterization Report provides the basis for the follow-on report, Watershed Strategies and Implementation Report, which will propose management measures to assist in mitigating land-based sources of pollutants that adversely affect water quality, and the health of the coral reef ecosystem. The second report will be released later this year and will also include a public comment period.

Together the two reports for the Kahana, Honokahua, and Honolua watersheds and the previously published Wahikuli-Honokôwai Watershed Management Plan are part of the larger West Maui Ridge 2 Reef Initiative focusing management efforts across all five watersheds. These plans identify short term solutions to address land-based sources of pollution and will be incorporated into a USACE and DLNR sponsored West Maui Watershed Plan that proposes a recommended strategy to address long-term impacts to the coral reef ecosystem health throughout the five watersheds.

Please contact Cami Kloster, Group 70 International at [email protected] or 808-441-2148 for further information.

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Media Contacts:
Deborah Ward
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Public Information Specialist 
(808) 587-0320

Joseph Bonfiglio 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District 
Chief, Public Affairs Office
Fort Shafter, Hawaii 96858
(808) 835-4004