WHAT? “kuleana”
– responsibility,
ownership, cause, small piece of property, tenure
Utilizing the Hawaiian geographic and resource management philosophy
encompassed in the concept of ahupua‘a, Kuleana Project has a
dual
focus:
Increasing the permeability of the ground and promotion of
the
use of rain barrels and other best management practices such as washing
cars
on grass that lead to an increase in aquifer recharge and a reduction
of
storm water runoff which facilitates nonpoint source (NPS) pollution
into streams leading to the Ala Wai Canal; and
Modifying homeowner practices with regard to significant
NPS
contributors:
fertilizers;
car washing methods, detergent use and vehicle
maintenance;
pet excrement;
gross and vegetative litter;
pesticides/herbicides.
PURPOSE?
Effect change of activities and practices of 1,000 households
in
the Mānoa subwatershed through education and outreach utilizing a
community-based grassroots approach.
Create heightened awareness of pollution problems caused by
individual households by means of grassroots education on ways
community members can reduce NPS pollution.
Change practices of household members to act in ways of
polluting
less and reducing runoff/increasing permeability and water conservation
generally.
Cultivate kuleana among current and next generation Mānoa
subwatershed residents through education.
Develop a model easily replicated and/or modified by other
O‘ahu
communities that stresses the spiritual connections with the
environment
through understanding the values and practices of the indigenous
Hawaiian
population.
Teach children appropriate behavior through exemplary
process
of voluntary best management practices (BMPs) implementation and
maintenance.
WHEN
July 1, 2003 to January 15, 2004 (subject to change)
Phase I Enlistment of
schools, teachers,
volunteers, material development, workshops, PR launch with storm drain
decal and material drop
Phase II Initial survey of
participating
households on present practices relative to NPS items and use of BMPs
to reduce storm water runoff/increase permeable surfaces.
Interviews and photos will be utilized. Students will
follow-up
with household-specific recommendations and establish an initial
“pollution grade.” They will re-survey
6-8 weeks later to
determine amount of change and new “grade.”
Phase III
“Recap” guide, evaluating, reporting,
publicizing, replicating.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
The ahupua‘a management system explicitly recognizes that the
behavior
and activity that takes place in the upper reaches of the
ahupua‘a
impacts regions below. It is behavior and activity on a
grassroots person-to-person level that Kuleana Project intends to
modify. As awareness is raised and commitment is made the
power
of individuals strengthens the community.
For a complete view on the overall Ala Wai watershed and all the
subwatershed in a visual map format, click
here.
For more information, contact Project Coordinator Helen Nakano at
988-5671 or nakano@aloha.net
What's next???
We're just
waiting for your input and help. If you'd like to be a part
of
this exciting project, tell us below:
How can I get a copy of the Water
Warriors Guidebook? 
