West Maui Pollution Reduction Projects Presented to Committee

Image courtesy: Maui County Council/West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative.

By Wendy Osher

Pollution reduction projects in West Maui will be discussed during a presentation before the Maui Council’s Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee on Monday.

Coordinators with the West Maui Watershed & Coastal Management area are identified as an information source.

According to the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative website, nine priority projects have been identified to address top nutrient and sediment concerns at the Wahikuli and Honokōwai watersheds.

The projects reportedly include:

“(1) Install management practices on agricultural roads to reduce erosion; (2) Address erosion from bare agricultural fields; (3) Increase R1 reuse to reduce water disposed of via injection wells; (4) Engineer retrofit for Honokōwai dam to increase sediment captured; (5) Develop bio-engineering solution to reduce erosion in Wahikuli ditch; (6) Develop fertilizer management plans for urban and agricultural users; (7) Create a post-fire rehabilitation plan; (8) Install a baffle-box to filter pollution from storm water; and (9) Create rain gardens to treat urban pollution.”

Installation of a rain garden at Wahikuli was planned earlier this year as a low-tech, affordable means to mimic the way nature processes water, while reducing impacts of storm water on near-shore areas.

The committee meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, Jan. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber in Wailuku.

Other agenda items include discussion of the proposed acquisition of property in Lahaina for a road improvement project.  The electrical easement of approximately 1,950 square feet had an appraised value of $205,000, according to county documents.  The acquisition is intended to accommodate the relocation of existing utilities due to road improvements.

Another item up for discussion is a resolution seeking approval for the acquisition of real property for a drainage easement in Haʻikū.  The 14,785-square-foot property has an appraised value of $102,430.  The acquisition is intended accommodate improvements to the Haʻikū Road culvert.