Our story begins in the heart of Maui, where Hawaiian traditions and values are practiced daily by the kuaʻāina of Nā Koʻolau. Nā Koʻolau region currently holds the second wettest place on Earth.
For the past 120 years the farmers of East Maui have been in battle with one of Hawaiʻi’s largest commercial land owners, Alexander & Baldwin. A&B’s subsidiary, East Maui Irrigation (EMI) system currently diverts 161-401 million gallons a day, taking water from our home village that proudly lives a Hawaiian lifestyle.
Keanae-Wailuanui has approximately 300 acres that was once flourished kalo fields. This community could make a substantial contribution to Maui’s food sustainability if our streams had the water. East Maui is one of the few remaining areas in Hawaii where ‘opae can be gathered. Virtually every stream had ‘opae at some time during the year. However, because of the diversions (for sugar cane), it has made it extremely difficult for the elders and keiki of East Maui to gather food for their home.
The people of East Maui cannot rely on stores; there are NO stores in the middle of the road to Hana; there are only our streams, mountains, and ocean. The diversions has not only made life difficult, but it has diminished life and resources for all.
The native species and ecosystems provide a stable and beautiful watershed which would be nearly impossible to replace if this destruction of our streams continues. It is clear that Native Hawaiian subsistence practices have resulted in a sustainable use of the natural resources of these ahupuaʻa. The diversion is a clear practice of disruption and desecration.
I created a water study group to monitor some of our most threatened streams & estuaries. It has taken me some time to build this project and, I am proud to say, after obtaining our water quality instruments & supplies, we will finally be able to do field data collection & monitoring.
This water study includes: water velocity (speed), turbidity (clarity), temperature, pH, salinity, over all water quality, stream life habitat, and ecosystem monitoring. This data will play a crucial role in restoring diverted streams. This is a community, scientist, and student based study. I have created this GoFundMe with $2k goal to purchase water instruments for East Maui Water Study.
More info at EastMauiWaterStudy.org
Mahalo for your continued support & aloha. This project is part of our community self-reliance and native species restoration.
He Ali’i Ka ‘Aina, He Kauwa Ke Kanaka
Land is Chief, Man is its servant.
EAST MAUI WATER STUDY WISHLIST:
GLOBAL WATER BA1100 / FLOW PROBE (3.7’ TO 6’ HANDLE). $1,277.00
SALINITY REFRACTOMETER $20.25
UBANTE WATER QUALITY TEST METER (TDS, EC & TEMP) $18.97
TURBIDITY TUBE, 120cm (SCIENCE FIRST) $67.43
PH METER (4 COUNT) $15.99 EA
UNDERWATER NIGHT CAMERA $63.20
WATERPROOF NOTEBOOKS $15.90
WATERPROOF BAG FOR WATER SUPPLIES/INSTRUMENTS $210
VISIT TO UH HILO TO MEET WITH SCIENTIST/BIOLOGIST $220
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