HONOLULU — A Hawaii watershed rehabilitation project is showing signs of success as former dirt slopes on Kahoolawe Island are now covered in green, a report said.
The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission has overseen the Hakioawa watershed project since August 2018, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday.
The project is funded by a $50,000 grant from the state Department of Health and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
An estimated 1.9 million tons (1.72 million metric tons) of soil erodes from Kahoolawe annually, project officials said.
The project focuses on soil erosion control by planting native flora and removing non-native weeds, officials said.
The drought-resistant native plants include a variety of shrubs, ground cover, trees and a coastal grass called akiaki.
Nearly 200 volunteers from around the state have worked at the site, which rises from 400 to 1,300 feet (122 to 396 meters) in elevation.
Volunteers contributed more than 3,000 hours and moved 120,000 pounds (54,432 kilograms) of rock “all by hand, taking care not to pick up rocks from cultural sites, or artifacts,” said Paul Higashino, a KIRC natural resource specialist.
The danger of unexploded ordnance also posed a special challenge at Hakioawa, as there is no digging allowed.
“We put in 20,000 plants without digging a hole,” Higashino said.
Slowing erosion reduces runoff and sedimentation in the ocean habitat, although Kahoolawe remains harsh, windblown and dry, Higashino said.
“You can feel the grit in your hair and your ear a week later,” Higashino said.
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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
