Click to
view North Kona floodways
Click to view South Kona floodways
Kona's
Watersheds
What
is a Watershed?
A
watershed is a catch basin for rainfall, fog, mist, and dew that produces
clean water. The watersheds in North and South Kona begin in the higher
elevation forested mauka regions and end makai, at the shoreline.
The water drains from the watersheds to the sea by streams and floodways
or seeps through soils and lava rock to the freshwater aquifers.
Watershed Management Plan
The KSWCD Watershed Management Plan Steering Committee has identified
five objectives:
OBJECTIVE No. 1
Minimize Threats to Public Saftey
Reduce flood and fire hazards and prevent environmental contamination.
OBJECTIVE No. 2
Maximize Economic Welfare
Expand opportunities for creative and diversified economic growth;
sustain Kona's clean water supplies; and minimize adverse impacts
from infrastructure.
OBJECTIVE No. 3
Maximize Ecosystem Protection
Promote biodiversity and habitat quality; restore native habitats
and forest cover; maintain natural water balance; provide education
on watershed stewardship.
OBJECTIVE No. 4
Maximize Support and Cooperation
Work closely with regulators; facilitate implementation of watershed
objectives; promote incentives for best-management practices; implement
deterrents for inappropriate land-use practices; develop political
support for the Kona Watershed Management Plan.
OBJECTIVE No.5
Maximize Socio-cultural Benefits
Ensure a quality Kona lifestyle; maintain Kona's rich agricultural
industry; recognize, protect, and respect local Hawaiian heritage
and traditions.
CONTACT
US to get involved in managing the Kona Watersheds