Since the first humans placed their feet on O'ahu in the 3rd century, the watershed in Kailua was on of the first establishments known on Oahu, chosen for its rich lands and possibilities for sustaining the community.
This is the first type of organisation that have ruled in this region - Each island (mokupuni) was divided in large land areas from mountain top to the ocean (6 on O'ahu, called moku) - who then again where divided further down in land divisions (Ahupua'a) ruled by appointed Ali'i (Chief).
The watershed have since then shifted from agricultural use and fish-ponds into a combination of residential areas and wet lands. See my earlier blog posts for more information. During the latest development period of the city of kailua and Maunawili (1950 until today) many new organisations and stakeholders have been fighting over the land - some for the possibility of profit, others to preserve the land as it is.
This post is assigned to give you an idea about active organisations, and finally create and present one of these organisations that fight for the greater good of Kailua Watershed.
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| Logo (KMWP, 2019) |
One of the largest organisations,
Koolau Mountains Watershed Partnership (KMWP), present their mission as:
"The mission of the Koʻolau Mountains Watershed Partnership is to foster landowner collaboration and perpetuate the water resources of Oʻahu by protecting and enhancing the forests of the Koʻolau and its invaluable native ecosystems".
Purpose of the organisation:
Working together to protect and sustain the forests, waters and people of the Ko‘olau Mountains. (KMWP, 2019)
Below is a figure showing the wide variety of landowners that the organisation collaborate with. First showing the full length of Ko'olau Mountain Range, then zooming in on Kailua area.
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| O'ahu divided among the partners of KMWP - First range of partners (KMWP, 2019) |
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| East O'ahu divided among the partners of KMWP - Second range of partners (KMWP, 2019) |
As seen above in the figures from KMWP, there are many different stakeholders. Some are state governed like State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR), and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL).
The DNLR further runs the
Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts and the Soil and Water Conservation District Program, which runs 16 soil and water conservations districts. This seems much like the ancient Hawai'ian system of ahupua'a. Each have their own board of directors.
Honolulu Board of Water supply (BWS) are managed by City and County of Honolulu. BWS
"manages Oahu's municipal water resources and distribution system" (BWS, 2019). Their site includes a deep and profound explanation
of the importance of keeping O'ahu's mountains and forests intact, since they are the main source of the drinkable water resources on the island. They too carry a long list of partners for their operations. (BWS, 2019)
Besides the formal organisations
above, many schools and private companies are included too. Largest of these are
Dole (a large fruit farming company), and
Kualoa Ranch (Farming, agriculture - raise cattle and secondly, their land is often used in Hollywood movies). The U.S. Army is likewise represented - they have helped built the levee in Kailua, a flood controlling system, running on the back side of the town. Further, they own a lot of land, which is used for training.
Since this is a broad overview, I will place the next section's attention on some of the smaller organisations that relates closer to Kailua Watershed.
Organisations supporting Maunawili and Kailua:
When diving into this ares specifically, you quickly realise how many organisations there are. In the following slides, you are presented with most of them, although the focus here is placed especially on two organisations who have been involving themselves towards further urbanisation of Kailua and Maunawili. It seems as this is the major challenge that faces the area today.
Due to the close connection to Honolulu and Kailua Bay, it is one of the most attractive areas to live in (beach, sun and a tropical island). The organisations in focus have always tried to help and enhance the development of wetlands and rainforest. Nevertheless, some private companies/owners still try to make a profit, by handing in development plans to the state
(LKOC, 2019, Hui Maunawili-Kawainui, 2018).
Works Cited
BWS. (2019). Board of Water Supply. Retrieved from About us: https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/about-us
BWS. (2019). Board of Water Supply. Retrieved from Watershed Partners: https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/water-resources/watershed-partnerships
Hawaii News Now. (2019, April 19). HawaiiNewsNow. Retrieved from HAWAIIAN WORD OF THE DAY: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/04/19/hawaiian-word-day-alii/
Hawaiihistory.org. (2019, October). Ancient Hawaii. Retrieved from Social and political structure: http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&CategoryID=318
Hawaiihistory.org. (2019). Ancient Hawaii. Retrieved from Ahupua'a: http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&CategoryID=299
Hui Maunawili-Kawainui. (2018). Huimaunawilikawainui. Retrieved from ABOUT HUI MAUNAWILI-KAWAINUI: https://www.huimaunawilikawainui.com/about-hui-maunawili-kawainui
Koolau Mountains Watershed Partnership. (2019). Koolau Watershed. Retrieved from Home: http://koolauwatershed.org/cultural-connections/
LKOC. (2019, September). Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle. Retrieved from Kawainui Marsh: https://www.lkoc.org/kawainui-marsh.html?fbclid=IwAR3RXNhYdchMr6NmkTjo4X3IvP17i98jLtlBiaraIqrWZ2m722VB5aIp2rQ
LKOC. (2019, October). Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle. Retrieved from Newsletters: https://www.lkoc.org/uploads/3/7/9/7/37971713/lkoc_fall_2019_newsletter.pdf
Na Pohaku Ecology Group. (2019, September 17). Ahanui. Retrieved from Ahahui Mālama i ka Lōhaki: http://www.ahahui.net/AML_AboutUs.html
