2020 Maui Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Report

77 Hookele St., Suite 202 Kahului, HI 96732 808‐871‐5500 ext. 3 h p://www.mauicountysoilandwater.org/

Maui Soil & Water Conservation Districts 2020 Annual Report

DLNR– Division of Water & Land Management USDA– Natural Resource Conservation Service Serving Olinda– Kula SWCD Hana SWCD West Maui SWCD Central Maui SWCD

Peo ple Lan d And

Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts Mike Silva, President

I am honored and excited to assume the role of President for the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts (HACD), and look forward to working with board members, staff, and partner agencies.

HACD consist of 16 Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) throughout the State of Hawai‘i. HACD and the SWCDs work together in a variety of ways to help protect and sustain Hawai‘i’s natural environment. The individual SWCDs are legally constituted, self-governing units under the Hawaii Soil and Water Conservation Law, Chapter 180, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Each SWCD is governed by a board of five volunteer directors, made up of three elected and two appointed positions. Members of the board either live or work within its respective district boundary. In order to aid the districts and their directors, associate directors can also be appointed.

On behalf of the Maui SWCDs I would like to express our condolence to the families of the late Cathy Nobriga Kim and Susie Cuffe. Cathy Nobriga Kim, former president of Maui Soda & Ice Works and Roselani Ice Cream, has supported and donated goods and services towards our education and outreach program for decades. Susie Cuffe served as Hana SWCD Director for over 10 years.

Congratulations to five SWCD conservation specialists on their new chapter of their career with our partners. Former Maui SWCD CS Hannah Lutgen is now the U.H. CTAHR Maui County Extension agent for landscape and ornamental growers. Four other district CS’s transferred to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service as Soil Conservationists: Genoa Starr, East and West Kauai SWCDs; Kanoe Malani, Hamakua SWCD; Alyssa Fujii, Mauna Kea SWCD; and Jason Hew, Maui SWCDs transferred to USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service as Soil Conservationists.

I am pleased to announce completion of two watershed projects sponsored by the Central Maui and West Maui SWCD. Michael Reyes, Central Maui SWCD Associate Director, worked on finalizing the 2013 Draft Southwest Maui Watershed Plan with support from the County of Maui and State Department of Health Clean Water Branch (DOH). Immediate goals of West Maui SWCD’s Kahana Nui Dam DeWatering and Removal of Sediment Project have been achieved by Truth Excavation, with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and assistance from Tova Callender, West Maui Watershed Coordinator.

The HACD and Maui SWCDs recognize and appreciate the support and efforts of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, USDA-NRCS, U.H. CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service, Mayor Mike Victorino, Maui County Council, Department of Public Works, Office of Economic Development, Department of Health, Coastal Zone Management, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and all of our cooperators who are working hard to conserve our island’s resources. The SWCDs would also like to thank our Washington DC legislative team, and the Hawaii State Legislators for their continued support.

Our work is truly a collaborative effort of all our partners.

Sincerely,

Mike Silva HACD President

Hana SWCD

Iwalani Poaipuni Director

Message from Jill Ficke‐Beaton, District Conserva onist Natural Resources Conserva on Service Pacific Islands Area— Kahului Field Office I have been very privileged to be able to assist the Kahului Field office as District Conserva onist for the past 11 months and am regre ully saying goodbye in July as I transi on over to the Programs team. It has been a tremendous learning opportunity for me as I was able to work with a variety of new people, projects, programs and places. Maui has unique and diversified agriculture and environments that can challenge land managers as they strive to find the balance. It keeps our job as planners both interes ng and rewarding as we seek out solu ons to help conserve the pre‐ cious resources for our island communi es for the genera ons to come.

As a District Conserva onist, it is my job to support and train both NRCS and SWCD/HACD staff as they take on the annual workload for Farm Bill applicants and conserva on planning services for the island of Maui. This year has brought huge changes in our so ware programs and the newly revised Farm Bill 2018 policy that has been slowly re‐ leased over the past few months. We had PIA wide roll outs for the new so ware programs, Conserva on Desktop (CD) and Conserva on Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART). With submissions of cost es mates and rankings made for 40 applica ons from the Kahului field office staff, we are well on our way to a very successful year of funding for the coop‐ erators and producers of Maui.

The Kahului Field Office has unfortunately lost Hannah Lutgen to the UH Coopera ve Extension Service, but we were able to move Jason Hew, SWCD planner into a soil conserva onist posi on with NRCS. We have a new SWCD planner, Jessica Talbot, who is quickly being immersed in district planning. We have a NRCS Pathways student, Christo‐ pher Macke, who is joining the team for 8 weeks this summer and hopefully next as well.

COVID‐19 has drama cally impacted Maui and the field office as well by pu ng us on a mandatory telework schedule and limited to site visit only, no visitors in the office. As of June 11, we are in phase 2 of reopening which means we can schedule ap‐ pointments in the office, but with a maximum capacity and social distancing observed.

COVID has fortunately brought us David Komorowski, Resource Conserva onist for the Pohnpei Office. David has been diverted to Maui to wait un l the country opens the bor‐ ders for new residents. In the mean me, we have started his acclama on to PIA by ge ng him out in the field, working on CNMP’s and HEL’s for the filed office in addi on to being assigned ac ng District Conserva onist for Kahului once I make my official move to the programs staff.

It is with a heavy heart that I give up my posi on as district conserva onist for Maui and move to the programs posi on. Having grown up on Maui, it will always be home, and a big part of me wants to stay put and focused on help‐ ing Maui County. As a member of the agricultural community, I am always looking for the place where I can do the most good for us all. I want to assure you all, planners, board members and partners, that I will con nue to serve the Pacific Island Area with the same integrity, commitment, and passion for agriculture and our environment no ma er what my posi on may be. This is not just a job for me but a mission to make a difference in the sustainability of our island communi es. I wish you all success with your objec ves as individuals, agencies, organiza ons, and partnerships.

You are an amazing group of conserva onists and I am forever grateful for the opportunity I have had to work with you.

NRCS and Maui SWCDs Kahului Field Office Staff

Jill Ficke‐Beaton, NRCS District Conserva onist

Carl Hashimoto, NRCS Soil Conserva on

Jenny Johnston, NRCS Civil Engineer

Kahana Stone, NRCS Soil Conserva onist

Jason Hew NRCS Soil Conserva onist

David Komorowski NRCS Resource

Introducing New Team Members …..

"My name is Jessica and I graduated from UH Hilo last year with a B.S. in Marine Science.

For the past couple years I have been inter‐ ested in watershed management with focus on the effects on coral reef ecology. Working as a Conserva on Specialist for SWCD so far is a great way to bridge the gap between ma‐ rine and land based conserva on, because it is all connected. I grew up on the top of Olin‐ da road on Maui, so the ocean and forest have always been a huge interest, and hobby! I like to windsurf, surf, dive, and some mes play soccer."

My name is Makana Naeole and I was born and raised on Maui. I’ve been working here for a few months and can honestly say that I enjoy it. Although my me here has been short, I enjoy the work, and the people that I am surrounded with.

I graduated from the Hawaiian Immersion Program at King Kekaulike High School in 2018. During my high school years, I volunteered at the Boy’s and Girl’s club in Paukukalo, played volleyball my freshman year, and did cheerleading for my last three years of high school. I enjoy going to the beach, fishing, hiking, playing volleyball, spending me with my family and every now and then co‐coaching the cheer‐ leading team at Kekaulike High School. Right now, I am currently a ending UH Maui College, and majoring in Business Management.

Mahalo to former Conservation Specialists Hannah Lutgen, Jason Hew, and Becky Diven for your service to the Maui SWCDs.

Maggie Kramp, SWCD Admin Assistant

Jessica Talbot SWCD Conserva on

Pictured L-R: Hannah Lutgen, 3 years of service, transferred to U.H. CTAHR as the Maui County Extension Agent for Landscape and Ornamental Growers. Jason Hew , 5 years of service, is now a Soil Conservationist with NRCS. And Becky Diven, 4 months of service, moved to DOH Clean Air Branch.

Makana Naeole SWCD Program Assistant

James Ino, SWCD Conserva on Technical Assistant

Congratulations and Best Wishes

Fiscal Year 2019 - 2020 Education Outreach Marketing Participants

Staff, Volunteers

Conduct Training

202

4

Maui Contest State Contest National Contest

32 16

20 8

Cost CES/SWCD employee's time $ 1,369.55 $ 4,000.00

Participants

Staff, Volunteers

Cost

Events: County Fair, and NACD Annual Conference.

difficult to meas-

10

unavailable

SWCD Field Trips Ag in the Classroom -- school visit at Waihee School Conservation Poster Contest Events Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic: Ag in the Classroom, Ag Fest, and HACD Conference

3 100 131

8 4 3

unavailable unavailable unavailable

distribution count: 350

3

unavailable

Conservation Awareness Program

General Public Education

Annual Report Website Development Maintain Website

Participants Staff, Volunteers Unique Visitors: $ 1 1255, Visits: 1370, Page Views: 2831 Minimize Negative Impact on Natural Resources

No. of Plans County Grading and Grubbing Permits and/or Projects Review Plans, Contact Developer as Needed, and Submit 33 Comments to DSA

Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) and USDA Farm Bill (FB) Plans FB Applications Received FB Contracts Obligated CTA Plans Signed/Completed CTA Plans Pending Final Approval Follow-up/Deferred/Canceled Plans Watersheds

Affected Acres 1155.37

No. of Plans and/or Projects 106 20

Acres 3540.67 2077.98

25

43494.8

Cost 192.00

Cost $

24,000.00

Cost Benefit based on NRCS programs cost list in dollar amount per practice $ 1,464,315.02 $ 733,565.65

Cost

Sustained Sediment Reduction to Nearshore Reefs in $174,000 construcProject Complet- 7560 CU YD of West Maui by Resolving Long Standing De-Watering and tion, $7600 water ed sediment removed Clean-out Needs of Kahana Nui Dam quality monitoring Lahaina Flood Control Lahaina Temporary Flood Control Project Coral Reef Initiative: West Maui Ridge to Reef Program Southwest Maui Watershed Base Plan

Meetings were held with County, DLNR CWRM, and NRCS estimated cost annual inspection and maintenance $18,070.00 Ongoing Project $ 36,230.29 DOH approved 49,688 acre planning area, complan December prised of the Hapapa, Wailea and 2019 Mo'oloa watersheds

Maui Local Working Group Mee ng Resource Concerns

 Water ‐ Insufficient water ‐ Access to water ‐ Water quality —nutrients/ pathogens and chemical —Pes cides transported —Elevated water temperatures  Feral Animal Control

 Soil Erosion ‐ Crop damage, degraded plant condi on —Pig, deer —Winds —Rain ‐ Concentrated flow ‐ Excess bank erosion and

water conveyance channel ‐ Concentra on of salts or other chemicals  Crop damage ‐ Winds

 Plant Resources ‐ Degraded plant condi ons

 Animal Resources ‐ Inadequate habitat ‐ Feed and forage for livestock

 Riparian Restora on

 Fire ‐ preven on

Other Concerns Need Adequate Cost-Share Rates Adjustable Gross Income Limitations

Priority Areas Central Plain, Kaupo, Dry Areas of Upcountry, Waihee, West Maui

Ul mate Goal Need to keep farmers

The LWG mee ng was organized by Maggie Kramp, Maui SWCD and facilitated by Jill Ficke‐Beaton, and Susan Kubo, NRCS.

Where Would we Bee Without Pollina on?

By: Jessica Talbot

Many people associate the word pollen with a runny nose, itchy eyes, and a desperate search for Claritin. While pollen is undoubtedly responsible for many seasonal allergies, it also plays a fundamental role in our ecosystem.

First off, what exactly is pollen? Pollen is the male component of sexual reproduction in flowering and coniferous plants.

Why is pollen produced? Pollen is transferred from one species of flowering plant to the next in order to fertilize that plant. How does pollen move from plant to plant? Because pollen does not have legs, there are several other key modes of transport: wind/water, Image: © Jaco Visser, Shu erstock.com insects, birds, and bees.

Plants that carry out wind pollination, release their pollen into the airstream, from which it is carried vast distances. Wind-pollination is much less precise compared to animal pollinators. Thus, wind pollinating plants rely on producing enormous quantities of pollen to raise the odds of an individual pollen landing in the jack pot—the stigma of a flower.

Have you heard the proverb, “April showers bring May flowers?” Not only is rain essential for the growth of plants, but it plays a key role in the reproduction of plants as well. Streams and rivers can carry pollen downstream for hundreds of miles. We have discussed wind and rain as pollen carriers, but what about the animals? Insects, birds, and bees, are the foundation of pollination. Bees and insects (moths, flies, beetles, bats, butterflies) collect nectar and pollen from the male plant part (stamen) of a flower, and travel to the next flower, where pollen falls onto the female plant part (stigma) of the flower (Nabhan 1997). Birds carry out a similar mode of fertilization by carrying pollen via their bills, from one flower to the next.

Hawaii is home to a plethora of native pollinators, such as honeycreeper birds, Hawaiian yellow-faced bees, and Kamehameha butterflies. ‘Ohia, naupaka, and the wiliwili tree are several of Hawaii’s native trees that rely on bees for pollination (Ley et. al. 2018). The honeybee and other native bees in Hawaii, are essential for agriculture production. In 2007, the Department of Agriculture stated that roughly seventy percent of the states crops depend on pollination by bees and insects (S.C.R. N.O 136, 2019).

Think of all the food in our daily life that depends on pollinators: Macadamia nuts, avocado, guava, watermelon, and most importantly - coffee! Having an abundant and diverse population of pollinators is critical for increased produce size and quality, while equally important for the stimulation of biodiversity within our ecosystem (Morse & Calderone 2000).

Due to the economic, social, and environmental part pollinators play in our environment, it is imperative that we help these keystone species thrive. Today we face declining numbers of pollinators due to disease, habitat loss, invasive species, and unnecessary pesticide and insecticide use (Buchmann 1996).

Fortunately, there are steps we can take to help protect pollinators. The easiest way to cultivate a healthy environment for pollinators is to invite them into your garden by planting nectar and pollen-packed plants. Choose colorful flowers such as Hibiscus kokio (ko`kio), Polyscias sandwicensis (`ohe makai), or Sesbania tomentosa (`ohai) (Ley et. al. 2018). Planting native plants whenever possible will limit the necessity of pesticide use. There are many natural alternatives to pesticides that can be used in and around your garden.

Lastly, if you are up for the challenge you can join the growing number of beekeepers and start your own colony. With community driven efforts to restore native insect populations, we can and must restore balance to our fragile ecosystem.

Ho'omana Farms By: Jessica Talbot Ho'omana Farms is a twenty plus acre farm boarding Honoapi'ilani Highway in the Waikapu 'Ahupua'a. Mike Atherton, the farmland owner, subleases the 300-acre land to eight other farmers. Among

one of the farmers is Vincente Colleado, who is attempting to revitalize the land through a cultural, and conservation based approach. For the past 144 years the soil on this land has been used solely for monocropping; resulting in nutrient deficient soil. With the help of NCRS conservation planners, soil specialist, and engineers, Colleado is bringing back an age old systematic approach to farming. In the past, the farm has faced several resource concerns: Wind damage, nutrient deficient soil, insufficient water irrigation, excess nutrients in surface and ground water, and inadequate plant structure / composition. To counter nutrient deficient soils, three different crops and a multi-species select cover crop will be planted across a portion of Colleado’s twenty five acre plot and rotated annually. A combination of banana, fruit and native trees are planted along the border of the farm to protect against the wind.

The mulch from Colleado’s neighboring farmer is Colleado farm banana trees growing as wind break (Stone, 2017) used to lay the ground for his deep litter system operation. In 2017 Colleado started with forty sow and three boars. Today, he has fifty-four swine and four boars.

Providing habitat and waste management using the Korean style deep litter farming method for his hog operation are the focus of Colleado’s conservation plan. A deep litter system utilizes biochar, wood chips, and sawdust to farm pigs with little to no flies, odor, and manure shoveling.

This renewable waste management technology results in happy pigs that dig and root in the deep litter.

The piggery uses self-collected indigenous microorganisms to inoculate the litter. The building is positioned in the sun to promote aerobic conditions in the litter. A large woven netting will be used on the perimeter to prevent moisture from entering the structure, but provide enough Colleado piggery in progress with mulch foundation (Stone, 2019) air flow to allow trade winds to cool the building and release heat from the microbial fermentation in the litter.

Korean deep litter farming has been used for centuries, and is the solution to many modern piggery problems that farms face today. Colleado’s deep litter farm will be the first large-scale on Maui, paving the way for a rich ecological system that will be self-sustaining for generations to come. Utilizing his conservation approach to farming, Colleado hopes to not only feed the people of Maui, but the businesses as well.

Hawaii Soil & Water Conservation Law, Chapter 180 Sixteen Soil & Water Conservation Districts Olinda-Kula Established April 2, 1948 Molokai-Lanai Organized Aug. 19, 1948

Est. 1962

Department of Land & Natural Resources VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS each board consists of 5 Voting Members, 3 elected, 2 appointed; and non-voting Associate Directors

Waiakea Est. 1949 West Oahu, Puna, and Ka’u Est. 1950 South Oahu Est. 1952 Kona Est. 1953 Hana Est. September 9, 1953

Our mission is to provide a healthy natural resources environment for the people by coordinating technical, financial, and educational resources.

Educa on/Outreach

Est. November 15, 1954

Mauna Kea Est. 1955

Federal

USDA - Natural Resources Conservat Service, Farm Service A Forest Service; U.S Environmental Protec Agency; U.S. Departme the Interior – Bureau of Management, Bureau Reclamation, Fish a Wildlife Service

We Are All Connecte Soil & Water Conservation Dist Protect our Watersheds throu

East and West Kauai Est. 1953 West Maui

Hawaii Associat https://

Conservatio USD State DLNR-Land, DLNR-Eng, DLNR –DOFAW, DLNRCoun

Central Maui Est. June 6, 1957

Watershed Pla USDA, NFWF, Sta

Windward Oahu Est. 1962

Conservation USDA, UH-CTAHR CE

Hamakua Est. 1990

Community USDA, DLNR, UH-CTAHR

consolidated Waimanalo and Koolau

Collaborate with Partners on Water Quality and Watershed Protec on Projects

ion of Conservation Districts /dlnr.hawaii.gov/swcd

tion Agency, S. ction ent of Land u of nd

National Association of Conservation Districts 3000 Conservation Districts Represents America http://www.nacdnet.org

Our Partners

State

County

Non-Profit

Department of Land & Natural Resources, Dept. of Health – Clean Water Branch, University of Hawaii CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service, Coastal Zone Management

County of Kauai, City & County of Honolulu, County of Maui, County of Hawaii

Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Resource Conservation and Development – Garden Isle RC&D, Oahu RC&D, Tri-Isle RC&D, and Big Island RC&D

Sammy Soil and Ruby Raindrop

ed in Our Watershed tricts Work With its Partners to ugh Various Ways and Means

on Planning DA, -SHPD, DLNR-CWRM, DOH Clean Water Branch, DOA, nties

nning/Projects ate DLNR, Counties

n Education ES, Farm Bureau, RC&D

y Outreach R CES, Farm Bureau, RC&D

Reviewing County Grading/Grubbing Plans

Conserva on Planning

District stewards want to see the Lahaina Watershed Flood Control Project completed August 22 , 20 19

BY LOUISE ROCKETT , Lahaina News h p://www.lahainanews.com/

LAHAINA - Flooding in Lahaina is on the average a once-in-every-five-year occurrence, with the resulting annual damages totaling an estimated $700,000. Since 1879, there have been 26 major floods.

The heaviest downpour was experienced in the Kahoma Watershed in 1960, with 21.7 inches of torrential rains flooding 30 businesses and homes.

Front Street and Honoapiilani Highway were overtopped. In today's terms, the financial hit was between five and ten million dollars.

According to the Soil and Water Conservation District website, the next 100-year storm could be devastating. It is projected that damages would potentially impact 197 residences, 35 condominiums, 157 businesses, two parks, two schools and the main roads.

West Maui and its lawmakers should pay attention - the Lahaina Watershed Flood Control Project was never completed.

It's had an on-again, off-again history since it was first proposed to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service by the West Maui Soil and Water Conservation District (WMSWCD) in 1981.

Luckily, we have a group of volunteer WMSWCD stewards to protect us, including James J. Nobriga, chairman; Daniel Pomaika'i Kaniaupio-Crozier, vice chair; Kimo Falconer, treasurer; Ian Swezey, secretary; Kainoa Casco, director; and associate directors Dave Minami, Wes Nohara and Daniel Ornellas.

They are charged to see this vital, two-mile flood diversion system completed, as it channels flood waters southwesterly from Lahainaluna Road to Waianukole, two-thirds-of-a-mile south of Puamana Park, through about 10,000 feet of grass-lined channel, four sediment basins, one debris basin on Kaua'ula Stream and one outlet basin near Lahainaluna Road.

Over the years, however, its course has been anything but straight, wavering its way past different channelizations and environment assessments.

The current design was approved as pictured when the project broke ground late 2009.

"The Lahaina Watershed Flood Control Project included five phases: 1, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 4/5. Phase 1, a Diversion Channel, was installed in 2011.

Phase 2B, also a Diversion Channel, was installed in 2013. Phase 3A, Hokiokio Place, was installed in 2014. The design of Phase 3B, a Debris Basin, was completed in 2014. Phase 4/5 was not completed," advised Susan Kubo, Natural Resources Conservation Services spokesperson.

The costs of the early stages were shared by the

federal government and the county.

Unfortunately, construction came to a grinding halt when funding was pulled. The debris basin at the intersection of Kaua'ula Stream was designed but never built along with Phase 4/5, and it's been sitting on the shelf ever since.

"In the meantime," Kubo added, "times have changed; environmentally, things can never stand still."

"The Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) says if you guys build this sediment basin, it's going to disrupt the water flowing from mauka to makai," Falconer worried.

"We're trying to get this thing built. In the meantime, we've had floods in town; we've had homes damaged. All of that stuff happens, because we don't have a system in place to move the waters where it can properly drain. Then on top of that, they built the Lahaina Bypass (south). Now the bypass is exacerbating the problem.

"Before you had the sheet flow going through cane fields. We had rain diversions circulating it into 100-year storm small streambeds and what not; but now it's going to be coming out of all these culverts (under the bypass). Just big water coming out. When it happens again, we're not going to have control," he reasoned.

"Potentially, we have to change the design (of the project)," Falconer continued, "which would trigger another EIS, another EA, another million dollars here. Anytime you change something like the bank of a big sediment basin, it's gonna trigger further studies. We've been down this road at least twice if not three times already in the last 35 years."

According to Kubo, dollars are currently available.

"In 2017, after several years of no appropriations, NRCS received funding in the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operation Program. As a result, NRCS is reviewing watershed projects that have remaining measures for implementation, to see if they can be moved forward towards design and construction. Because in some cases environmental compliance documents and designs for projects were done many years ago, it is necessary to reaffirm the feasibility and viability of the projects," she said.

Nobriga is positive .

"The district (WMSWCD) and its co-sponsors are diligently working on trying to obtain the required funding to complete this project. We're doing it conjunction with the NRCS and County of Maui."

West Maui SWCD Kahana Nui Dam De-Water and Remove Sediment Project The scope of work for the sediment dam cleaning out and valve access contract was developed, and an RFP was released to appropriate contractors. Working closely with the County Department of Public (DPW), Truth Excavation was selected as the contractor, and proceeded to uncover the lost valve and protect it from additional sedimentation with a culvert. The full amount of sediment for removal defined in the contract was dug out and hauled away, exceeding 4360cu yards of sediment, with an additional 3,200 cu yd removed by DPW. Permit application for the valve repair work has been submitted by the County. Coastal water quality monitoring is taking place at the stream mouth of Kahana every three weeks.

The goals of the project all been met, with the exception of ongoing monitoring. The major outcome was clearing sediment so that the broken basin valve was exposed and accessible to the County DPW, and removal of a meaningful amount of sediment to re-establish storage in the sediment retention structure. The outstanding work is limited to continuing to monitor coastal water quality.

Source of Funding: National Fish & Wildlife Federation Cost and Timeline: $174,000, June 2019 – September 2019

Meeting and site visit with potential contractors

Construc on checks by the County of Maui Public Works, WMSWCD Director Pomaika’i Kainiaupio‐Crozier, and West Maui Watershed Coordinator Tova Callender

During West Maui SWCD’s post construc on site visit, it was noted that Truth Excava on did an excellent job and the County DPW was very please with the work done. Clean out of sediment was more than expected. Post construc on road re‐ pairs were done, water bars included; and stock‐ pile rows for future plan ng of sweet potatoes.

Mahalo to Maui Land & Pineapple Company and Tova Callender for making this project possible.

Tova Callender’s Sediment Measuring Device

Pacific Fire Exchange Field Day

By Jason Hew September 18, 2019, the Pacific Fire Exchange coordinated a field day event to discuss the recent wildfires that have occurred on Maui. Various agencies, land owners, and poli cians par cipated including Pacific Fire Exchange, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organiza on, UH CTAHR, representa ve for Councilwoman Tamara Pal n, East Maui Watershed Partnership, Maui Emergency Manage‐ ment Agency, Haleakala Ranch, Department of Land and Natural Re‐ sources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Roz Baker, Maui Farm Bu‐ reau, A&B Proper es, representa ve for Councilwoman Yuki Lei Sugi‐ mura, Representa ve Ryan Yamane, Representa ve Troy Hashimoto, Fish and Wildlife Service, Maui Fire Department, Kaonoulu Ranch, Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership, Leeward Haleakala Water‐ shed Restora on Partnership, Natural Resources Conserva on Service Par cipants at and the Soil & Water Conserva on Districts. The purpose of the tour MECO's Maalaea power plant was to bring together stakeholders to share perspec ves on broader statewide concerns and ideas around wildfire management and reducing wildfire impacts. The goal was to address the increasing vulnerability of Hawaii to wildfire and iden fy the resources that are needed to ad‐ dress wildfires. Stakeholders and agencies were encouraged to share perspec ves and generate ideas for steps forward in reducing the risk for fire‐prone areas on Maui. One theme of the tour was that taking pre‐ venta ve ac ons are more cost effec ve than focusing solely on ac ve fire suppression.

Soils Day at Waihee School

By Jason Hew

Monica Kramp and Leilani Yamauchi’s first grade class at Waihee School

1‐r: Michelle Watkins, HACD ED talks to students on what they may find in the soil tunnel.

Becky Diven monitoring students at soils trough. Students with Sammy Soil and Rub Raindrop

This is now the second year in a row that teachers at Waihee Elementary School invited the Maui Soil & Water Conserva on Districts to give a presenta on to their 1st graders. This year our presenta on closely coincid‐ ed with World Soils Day. On Decem‐ ber 13th, approximately 100 1st grad‐ ers learned about the importance of ground cover and what’s in our soils.

We first had a discussion about what is in soil, and why soil is important.

Our rainfall simulator helped show the difference between a healthy soil and a not healthy soil, or a soil with ground cover versus a soil with no ground cover. This is a good tool to visually demonstrate the difference between land management styles, and the effects of that management.

Students were able to go through our soils tunnel and dig through real soil to find things we talked about like worms and roots. Ruby Raindrop and Sammy Soil also made an appearance, which the kids loved.

Annual Conserva on Awareness Program Land Judging Contest

Students testing their knowledge in Maui Pineapple Company’s field in Haliimaile

Maui Contest Participants

Maui SWCD Conservation Specialists Jason Hew and Hannah Lutgen trained multiple groups of students that were interested in competing in the Maui CAP contest. On 10/22/2019 students from St. Anthony, Maui High, Lahainaluna, King Kekaulike, Baldwin and Kamehameha competed in the Maui Conservation Awareness Program Land Judging Contest. The contest was held at Haliimaile Pineapple Company’s farm. This year’s winners were St. Anthony in 3rd place with 528 points, Kamehameha in 2nd place with 679 points, and Baldwin High School in 1st place with 682 points.

The state CAP contest was held at the USDA Plant Materials Center on Molokai. Baldwin competed with schools from Molokai, Hawaii Island and Kauai.

Jay Nobriga, WMSWCD and Contest Committee Chair with 3rd Place Team, St. Anthony’s Michael Vergel Dios, Daniel Tongson, Anjeleigh DelaCruz, and Jocelyn Corpuz

Thanks to Jason Hew for coaching the BHS team for this was the first time ever that Baldwin High School took the Maui and State title. Plans were underway for the BHS team to compete in the National Land Judging Contest, May 2020, in in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, the national contest was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Hannah Lutgen, Maui SWCD CS and Jay Nobriga, with 2nd Place Team from Kamehameha School, Raelynn Yoshida, Bryson Reformina, Gabriel Arcas, Max Bielawski, and Advisor Duane Iwamura

Mahalo to the School advisors and students, USDA NRCS, UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service, Haliimaile Pineapple Company, Maui Soda & Ice Works, Roselani Ice Cream, Nobriga Ranch, Bayer Crop Sciences of HI, and SWCD staff and volunteers, for making this annual event possible.

Jason Hew, SWCD CS with State Contest Winners: BHS Ag Team Keith Grose, Ed Daguio, Jayden Fontanilla, Ryan Cabebe, and Ag Advisor Leo Tomita

POSTER CONTEST WINNERS KEOHO ECKART‐DODD KE KULA O PIILANI Grade 1

KATIE CALIBUSO PUKALANI ELEMENTARY Grade 3

KYLIE CARDENAS, IAO INTERMEDIATE Grade 7 NOAH MICKELSON ST. ANTHONY Grade 6

TEVA PIMENTAL KAMEHAMEHA Grade 12

San Joaquín Valley, CA Field Trip with Maggie Kramp, SWCD Admin Assistant

By Mae Nakahata, Central Maui SWCD Director Field visit with Lurana Strong, NRCS DC and Erwin Duenas, NRCS Soil Conserva onist of the Visalia field office, where farmers are installing small res‐ ervoirs and remote‐control irriga on management systems with EQIP funding.

Rafael Macias, M&G Farms produces a variety of citrus with various harvest mes for a year‐round schedule. One of his crops is Shi‐ ranui or Dekapon, originally from Japan. The fruit looks like a large tangelo that sells for $5/fruit. It is also sent to Korea where they extract the juice and make liquor and cosme cs from the peel.

Mae Nakahata with NRCS Hanford Field Office DC Marcus Burks, and Soil Scien‐ st Philip Smith. As a side note, the NRCS Hanford field office is surrounded by prisons that have their own farm to grow their own food (Tulare County Farm Prison, Sheriff Mike Beaudroix).

Covered Lagoon to Capture Methane for Energy Produc on

Compost Facility at a Large Dairy Watermark system installed to improve water management Pascoe Bowen, Manager of Flood Opera ons and Maintenance at Kings River Conserva on District, is responsible for Kings River Water Management by keeping levees in good condi on in order to direct flood waters into fallow areas.

KRCD also raise fish and stock the area for recrea on use. h ps://www.wga.com/blog/farmer‐floods‐fields‐recharge‐groundwater‐basin h ps://www.acwa.com/news/kings‐river‐conserva on‐district‐wins‐2019‐best‐in‐blue‐award/

Mahalo to Lurana Strong, Erwin Duenas, Rafael Macias, Marcus Burks, Phillip Smith, and Pascoe Bowens for taking us on a tour of your projects. We very much appreciated it!

Photo Highlights of the 2020 NACD Annual Conference

General Session and Leadership Luncheon

Mae represented the Northern Marianas Islands and Maggie represented Hawaii during the opening session.

Michelle received the 100% contribu on (NACD dues) for HACD at the leadership luncheon.

Joint Pacific and Southwest Regional Mee ng Pacific Island Areas Conference A endees with Travis Thomason, NRCS PIA Director, Astor Boozer, NRCS West Regional Conserva onist, and Arial Rivers, and Ariel Rivers, NACD Pacific Region Representa ve Chef Jose Andres recognized farmers and ranchers at the general session. He is the founder of World Central Kitch‐ en, a non‐profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters.

Named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influen al People” in both 2012 and 2018 and awarded “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” by the James Beard Founda on, Andrés is an interna onally recog‐ nized culinary innovator, New York Times best‐selling author, edu‐ cator, television personality, and humanitarian.

Mae with Louisiana Delegates NACD 75TH Annual Conference will be held in New Orleans, February 2021

We are fortunate to have legislators who believe farming is the backbone of our community, and that the soil and water conservation program will preserve our resources for future generations. They have helped our program with financial aid both locally and statewide The Maui Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the people of Maui want to express our thanks and appreciation to the following Senators and Representatives for their active support of the SWCDs in Maui County. Due to their efforts, the Maui Soil and Water Conservation Districts have been able to accomplish their objectives.

Senator J. Kalani English

Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran

Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe

District 5 Wailuku, Waihee, Kahului

Senator Rosalyn H. Baker District 6 South and West Maui

District 7

Representative Lynn DeCoite

Representative Kyle T. Yamashita

District 13 Haiku, Hana, Kaupo, Kipahulu, Nahiku, Paia, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Molokini

District 12 Sprecklesville, Pukalani, Makawao, Kula, Keokea, Ulupalakua, Kahului

Representative Troy Hashimoto Representative Angus L.K. McKelvey District 10 West Maui, Maalaea, North Kihei

District 8 - Kahakuloa, Waihe’e, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku, Kahului

Representative Justin Woodson District 9 Kahului, Puunene, Old Sand Hills, Maui Lani

The Maui Soil and Water Conservation Districts sincerely appreciate and thank the Maui County Council Members for their active support for the SWCD program in Maui County.

The Maui County Council Members are our strongest unifying factor in the soil and water conservation movement. They help our program with financial aid and believe the soil and water conservation district program will preserve our community for future generations.

Alice Lee Council Chair

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez

Wailuku, Waihe'e, Waikapu

Council Vice Chair Molokai

Shane Sinenci

Mike Molina

Council Member East Maui

Council Member East Maui

Tasha Kama Presiding OďŹƒcer Pro Tempore Kahului

Kelly King

Yuki Lei Sugimura

Council Member South Maui

Council Member Upcountry

Tamara Paltin

Riki Hokama

Council Member West Maui

Council Member Lanai