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Background
Prior to diversion of water through the Waiahole Ditch Tunnel system (beginning in 1916), Waiahole Stream and its tributaries supported a healthy population of many native species of aquatic life including hihiwai, an endemic fresh water mollusk that spends a portion of its life cycle in salt water. Waiahole Stream and its tributaries, Uwau and Waianu, once carried close to 30 mgd of freshwater flow through their respective watersheds, wetlands, and man-made lo`i into the estuary of Kane`ohe Bay. At the height of the diversion, the total flow had been reduced to around 3 mgd.
Today, as a result of an interim order by the State Commission on Water Resources Management, flows have been partially restored. Approximately half of the pre-ditch volume has been restored, dropping temperatures and increasing the chronic flow velocity considerably. The result by most accounts, has been beneficial for native species of fish such as o`opu, providing some advantage over non-native species.
Project Purpose
This project (preparation steps are in progress -- see below) will attempt to reintroduce hihiwai to the Waiahole Stream system, providing this species with a "kick start" in the absence of seed stock that would naturally re-populate a system that now may be able to host the species. Project volunteers include several teams comprised mainly of young adults (high-school to college age) coming primarily from Ko`olaupoko, Wai`anae, and Moloka`i. These youth, with assistance from others involved in Makawai, taro farmers, and fishermen from the area, will work to arrange for transport of seed stock from Wailau Valley on the north coast of Moloka`i to reintroduce at selected sites along Waiahole Stream above the confluence of Waianu and Waiahole. The project will also rely on monitoring and assistance from at least two aquatic biologists: William Devick (director) and Bob Nishimoto, from the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources.
Moloka`i team members will camp in Wailau Valley where they will garner and prepare seed stock at night when hihiwai are naturally out of the water. 30-40 hihiwai will be placed in each ziplock bag, supplied with oxygen, and regulated for temperature. A team from O`ahu will join them by boat, both to assist and to learn about habitat and species habits. Shipment out will be by helicopter and is slated for mid-November or early December of 1998. Both method and timing are designed to provide maximum success by minimizing shock in transitioin during optimum stream flow periods.
In Process
Team members have already taken steps to prepare for reintroduction by visiting potential stream sites, learning about habitat requirements and optimal conditions. Per advice of Bob Nishimoto, members have transported calcareous shells of hihiwai from Moloka`i. These were crushed and placed in selected sites. The presence of shells is said to provide some attraction for hihiwai returning to streams from the ocean.
Many of the participants have also contributed to projects such as Halawa Valley (Moloka`i) lo`i/auwai restoration and replanting that took place two years ago, along with similar projects in both Kahana Valley and upper Waiahole Valley on O`ahu. They have attended meetings and forums relating to taro, stream ecosystems, along with taro festivals. At least two potential participants also took advantage of the opportunity to learn how to use the Global Positioning System technology, thanks to KBAC. It is expected that this project will provide an opportunity to utilize the latter as a means of followup monitoring for success/survival. Hihiwai will be tagged under the guidance of DAR officials.
Conclusion
Makawai Stream Restoration Alliance members have come together under their own initiative to push for a revitalization of related stream, watershed, and estuarine habitats. It is our hope that these ecosystems can not only be protected but enhanced. By bringing together volunteers to focus on understanding habitats and systems such as these, we hope to provide incentives for enthusiasts to sustain the effort to be "watchdogs" for such areas. These persons will become the "streamkeepers" of the future. To these "streamkeepers" mahalo, for this is an enormous responsibility we leave you.
Kaipo Faris
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