MALAMA KAHALAWAI INC
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Mission Statement
Malama Kahalawai, Inc. is dedicated to facilitating and advancing the goals of the Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership (formerly the West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership), whose mission is to protect Maui's water supply and native ecosystems and prevent further degradation through collaborative forest management. Within the 50,000-acre management area of MKWP are native forests that produce fresh water for three-quarters of Maui Island residents. The healthier these forests, the more water there is for Maui's future.
About This Cause
Malama Kahalawai, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was formed in 2001 as the dedicated non-profit of the Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership (MKWP), formerly the West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership. MKWP was formed in 1998 by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between all of the state, county, and private landowners within the conservation district of the West Maui Mountains, also known as Mauna Kahalawai. Our common mission is to protect nearly 50,000 acres of native forested watershed from degradation and to protect the native ecosystems and water resources found therein for the people of Maui. Water is the primary resource of concern because of our island's reliance on its finite supply. With moisture gradients ranging from 25 to 365 inches of rain per year, our forested watersheds provide billions of gallons of water for Maui’s residential, industrial, and agricultural needs annually. Despite this abundance, water is becoming more scarce; precipitation has been declining for the past 30 years. Without management of native forests and watersheds and protection from feral ungulates, invasive species, and human disturbance, the sustainability and productivity of this precious resource will decline. Should this happen, our economy and quality of life will also suffer. Our programs also protect rare biological and cultural treasures found nowhere else on Earth. These watershed lands contain at least 171 rare species and communities and over 23,000 acres of critical habitat for Threatened and Endangered flora and fauna. The native Hawaiian forest is also home to many culturally significant points of interest including the summit of Pu’u Kukui and Iao Valley. These lands harbor ethnobotanical riches and a wealth of mana, spiritual significance, to native Hawaiians, as well as inspiration for all. Guided by a five-year management plan, our partners and supporting statewide conservation organizations have worked across landownership boundaries to maintain these environmental, cultural, and economic resources. Our programs include fence construction and maintenance, feral animal control, invasive weed control, watershed and water quality monitoring, public outreach and education, and volunteer stewardship. This work is performed by MKWP's staff of 12 men and women, along with one year-long AmeriCorps intern. They hold a wealth of experience in natural resource management in Hawaii. While technical skills include invasive species detection and control, plant identification, use of GIS and GPS technologies, and data management and analysis, they are well versed in helicopter safety, high-angle ropes work, back country camping, hiking through rough terrain, and braving inclement weather. Program accomlishments since MKWP's 1998 establishment include the following: Ungulate Control • Approximately 26 miles of fence built to date which protect over 31,000 acres o 15 miles of pig exclusion fence (4-foot fence) built to date o 6.8 miles of pig and deer exclusion fence (8-foot fence) built to date • 8.9 miles of fence managed by MKWP staff in FY15 • 39.3 miles inspected by MKWP staff in FY15 (some checked multiple times per year) • 0.2 miles of fence maintained (i.e. repaired) by MKWP staff in FY15 • 0.7 miles of fence constructed by MKWP staff in FY15 • 29,018 acres protected behind fences (~ 61% of lands) as of the end of FY15 • 466 ungulates removed by MKWP staff since database established in 2005 o 2,581 ungulates collectively removed by Partners since 1992 • 30,162 acres exhibit zero known ungulate activity (62.5% of MKWP lands) • 8,793 acres exhibit light ungulate activity (18.2% of MKWP lands) • 9,301 acres exhibit moderate to heavy ungulate activity (19.3% of MKWP lands) • 24,749 acres of native vegetation communities protected behind fences • 14,822 acres of critical habitat protected behind fences Weed Control • MKWP Weed Management Plan complete, prioritizes target species and control methods • 33,875 strawberry guava trees treated; 334 acres swept • 4,837 Koster's curse plants treated; 243 acres swept • 1,500 cane tibouchina plants treated; 57.9 acres swept • 34 Acacia mearnsii individuals treated; 14.3 acres swept • 41 pampas grass individuals treated; 41.4 acres swept; several locations relayed to MISC • Herbicide Ballistics Technology has treated 1,393 strawberry guava trees in aerial surveying 1,593 acres. A total of 3,400 acres were surveyed over two periods with 1,807 overlapping acres. Wildfire Control • Development of Community Wide Protection Plan completed in 2014 with WMFTF. • First round fire infrastructure mapping within the wildland-urban interface is completed. • 1st WUI grants were awarded to fuel mitigation projects in Olowalu area last year Monitoring • 30 monitoring transects established to date o 1,505 total transect stations cover 93 acres o 1 of these transects was installed in FY15 • One monitoring station in Honolua Stream, checked monthly for water quality and rainfall • 10 erosion bridges established in 2012, checked annually Public Education and Awareness • Ten AmeriCorps interns since 2006, each serving a one-year term; 12,800 total hours • Since starting our volunteer program in 2012, 1,278 volunteer hours have been logged during 29 service trips controlling strawberry guava on the Waihe’e Ridge trail. • MKWP Website and other media continue to be updated. MKWP's Facebook page was created in 2013 and now has nearly 1,700 followers. MKWP's Instagram was established in December 2017 and now has over 1,500 followers.