BACKGROUND AND MISSION

The Waimanalo Ahupua`a Watershed Council is a grassroots organization formed in 1999.

GOAL

Our goal is to live in a community in which the watershed or ahupua'a system operates in a manner whereby the problems that currently exist with flooding, pollution, siltation, and ecological degradation are reduced to a minimal level. Ultimately we want the streams, wetlands, and our bay, including its fishery, restored to a clean and healthy state.

ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

The Council sees its role as that of helping provide community members with accurate and meaningful information allowing them to reach logical and reasonable conclusions. This information is focussed on situations, projects, and activities relating to watershed health as described above.

ACTIVITIES

The Council's activities include:

• Serving as an important point of contact, along with other locally-based organizations, for City/County, State, federal, and other agency involvement in the Waimanalo Ahupua'a with watershed assessment and planning.
• Serving as the "Watershed Advisory Group" as specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Unified Watershed Effort, for the production of Waimanalo's Watershed Restoration Action Plan and Watershed Action Strategy.
• Reviewing and communicating to the community at large and proponents of proposals or projects, or other parties, information provided by the advisory group essential to making policies or decisions affecting the watershed.
• Providing broad-based community input to local and outside entities concerning the various concerns held on a particular proposal, project, or issue relating to the watershed and its operation.
• Partnering with other locally-based organizations with similar goals for watershed health on specific projects or activities.
• Monitoring water quality in the watershed (see Rainfall)

COUNCIL ORGANIZATION

The Council is governed by a group of leaders representative of Waimanalo's diverse community: its churches, retail businesses, … They are assisted by an advisory group consisting Waimanalo residents with experience or knowledgeable relating to watershed issues, and kupuna; as well as individuals distinguished for their professional expertise in watershed or related sciences.

Council Members: Tony Blanchard, Ernie Carlbom, Patrick Ching, Lisa Ferentinos, Haywood Kalima, Lorrain Kealoha, Dave Larson, Darwin Nuuhiwa, Duke Reis-Moniz (Council Coordinator)

Advisors: Laurel Collins, Dr. Diane Drigot, Dr. Bruce Wilcox, Prof. Luna Leopold, Kepa Maly, Prof. Dieter Mueller-Dombois, Prof. Ed Laws, Joe Ryan, Jim Andrews, Andrew Jamilla.