Pelekane Bay Watershed Restoration Project

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono’s office called Hawai‘i Island Mayor Kenoi’s office wanting to view federally funded ARRA projects that were out of the planning stage and up and running. So, we had the honor of hosting her and two of her staff members, Joshua and Marvin, last week.

She had an hour, before her next engagement, so we began at our base of operations, the Kamuela State Tree Nursery. We had along two members of our restoration crew, Caitlin and Tobe, so that she could hear, first hand, what we are up to. Their crew gathers, grows, and maintains all of our native seedlings, so they had the expertise to share.

Mazie was curious, interested, asked insightful questions, and wanted to know who we were personally, not just as employees. One of her questions was why we have to forage and collect all of our needed seeds and cuttings, rather than just ordering them from nurseries and seed companies. It was a surprise to her that no such opportunity existed for our native Hawaiian species. Maybe this is a venture waiting to be born?

We then drove up the Kohala Mountain road and through Parker Ranch gates that access the upper reaches of our project along Waiakamali Stream. From there we could look down the steep bank to an area that we are in the process of clearing of invasive species and starting our first plantings. At one point she said: “There is a lot of work to be done here.” We couldn’t agree with her more!

One of the reasons we are inviting our elected officials to the site is that none of our work would be happening without the previous and current  funds we have received from the State of Hawai‘i. Although the Pelekane Bay Restoration is a federally funded project, the watershed restoration work of Kohala Watershed Parntership (KWP), which wrote the grant for Pelekane, is primarily supported with State funds.  We want all our political officials to know that continued State funding is critical to our effectiveness and success.

At the end of our visit, Mazie asked what will happen to the project when the federal funds terminate in November of this year? The answer to that question is very much in the hands of our State officials. We were happy to discover that our Congresswoman recognizes and supports the issues that are dear to us. It is nearly impossible to imagine the challenges of our restoration sites without being there firsthand. The fact that she took time out of her busy schedule to stand amongst the scrub and dust with us, and see our first steps in the rehabiliation process, was greatly appreciated. It is that personal connection that makes all the difference.

Last Sunday morning, Melora and I had an opportunity to give our district’s state representative, Cindy Evans, a tour of our upper, wetter watershed. It was one of those drop-dead glorious days: slight breeze; clear skies; a view down to the ocean, over to the three volcano summits, and along the famed Kohala coastline toward Kona.

It is a bumpy, off-road, dusty drive through active cattle pasture, skirting the steep ravine of Waiakamali Stream. Then we took a short hike down the gulch and up the other side to show her previous out-plantings done on volunteer days.

The cattle have been fenced out of that area for about a year now, and already a few native species are beginning to recover, poking their heads above the introduced pasture grasses. We really had to watch where we stepped to avoid crushing them.

Along the way we had rambling conversations about state funding, conservation work, local politics, and visions for future projects. What was most impressive was her positive and methodical attitude to her work ahead. She clearly understands how to get positive things done for her constituency and has the energy and dedication required to navigate the legislative process.