Maui Nui Marine Resource Council

Pohakea stormwater management and oyster bioremediation project:to improve ocean water quality in Maui's ma'alaea bay, mnmrc implemented a stormwater management plan for the adjoining pohakea watershed to prevent sediment-laden runoff from entering the ocean. Mnmrc also launched an oyster bioremediation project in ma'alaea harbor in early 2020 to utilize caged oysters to remove sediments and pollutants from the water in ma'alaea bay. In late 2020, mnmrc installed fire breaks in the pohakea watershed to mitigate the spread of frequent wildfires. Our 2022 accomplishments include: (1)completion of our vetiver planting projects in pohakea, adding this drought-resistant grass to vulnerable erosion areas to mitigate sediment flow into ma'alaea bay during heavy rain events. (2)basin and headcut repair engineering plan and mta parking lot lid project plans. (3) surveys and support were provided to ma'alaea community to receive county approval and state funding for a new environmental-friendly wastewater reclamation facility to replace aging injection wells serving the condos along ma'alaea bay's shoreline.

Ocean water quality monitoring program:mnmrc co-manages a unique community-based ocean water quality monitoring program, hui o ka wai ola. This program monitored ocean water quality at 29 Maui beaches every three weeks throughout 2022, proving quality-assured data to the state of Hawaii department of health clean water branch. Since the monitoring program launched in 2016, hui o ka wai ola has collected over 3,200 water samples along the leeward coast of Maui.

Kihei flooding and upcountry ungulate barriers:mnmrc conducted field assessments to measure factors that impact ecological design and resotration feasibility to mitigate seasonal flooding in the kihei community. Through contracting with environmental design engineers, we evaluated the availability and effectiveness of various options for ecological restoration of failed flood plain infrastructure. Held community meetings to gather public input on proposals. Mnmrc worked with one of the three largest ranches in the upper watershed to have 1,800 linear ft of 8 ft tall ungulate fencing installed running mauka to makai. This is in addition to extensive fencing efforts that the ranch and other partners are working together to install. This area is adjacent to gulches that contribute sediment and excess nutrients trasnported via flood waters through kihei to the ocean when it rains. The fencing helps control deer herd movements to preferred areas and makes harvesting easier. This combined effort will reduce erosion and allow grasses to regrow and stabilize the soil. An added bonus is that fire breaks can be made at the same time as the fencing is installed.

Reef friendly landscaping program (rfl)reef power (mnmrc is a fiscal sponsor)flush aware (mnmrc is a fiscal sponsor)national geographic plastics study grantmolokini fish/biomass studycommunity management supportoutreach and education programs