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Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts
Annual Report, 2015
Oahu Soil and Water Conservation Districts Ne huli ka lima iluna, pololi ka opu; Ne huli ka lima ilalo, piha ka opu. When your hands are turned up, you will be hungry; When your hands are turned to the soil, you will be full.
Meeting 2015: Hilo, Hawaii
Contents Pg 1
Message from the Oahu HACD Vice President
Pg 2
South Oahu District -Paradise Park
Pg 4
Windward Oahu District -Manoa Chocolate Co.
Pg 6 West Oahu District -Waimea Valley Pg 8
Collaborative Outreach
Pg 9
Workshops
Pg 11
Oahu RC&D Message
Pg 12
Cooperator Highlights
Message from the Oahu HACD Vice President Aloha kakou! This year, we are very excited to be working with the Oahu RC&D and NRCS in cooperation with all of the Oahu’s SWCD to increase conservation awareness and improve conservation planning. Our outreach has had a strong emphasis on soil health, and so far the feedback has been very positive. As we continue to provide support and encouragement to new and old timer farmers alike, we are very lucky to have land stewards coming forward who are very excited about conservation work, and are willing to share their expertise. We hope to capitalize on that in the upcoming year to provide increased education and resources to farmers in our community. Thanks to all of our volunteers who are working hard to aloha aina. ---Nate
We are growing! We have gained 216 new acres just this year in new cooperators. We hope to introduce our new cooperators to some of our best land stewards with our upcoming conservation workshop series. [Pg 8]
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South Oahu District Board Vice Chair- Iris Iwami, Treasurer- Dudley Kubo, Secretary- Lisa Zeman, Director- Cid Inouye
Message from the South Oahu Chair
The South Oahu Soil and Water Conservation District stretches from Hawaii Kai to Pearl City. Primarily a residential足business area, it has several small farm and conservation projects at the urban足conservation area interface. The South district participates heavily in governmental advocacy at the county and state level and in education for soil and water conservation. It sponsors sustainability seminars jointly with other environmental organizations, supports projects like the Conservation Awareness Program and the soil health initiative, and is interested in urban forestry and urban farming.
Karen AhMai, Chairperson
Our diverse board includes a watershed engineer, a farm manager, an expert in fertilizers, a watershed convervationist, and a lawyer足farmer. Our seminar program has included sessions on bees and pesticides, planning using GIS, albizia and erosion in Manoa, and coconut rhinoceros beetles. Even though our agricultural component is limited, we have been busy. Mahalo to our partners and our community for their much appreciated support, Karen
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Paradise Park Watershed Restoration
The Ala Wai Watershed Association (AWWA), in cooperation with Oahu RC&D, is working on restoring Paradise Park, in Manoa. This watershed is one of the main water sources that feeds the Ala Wai canal in Waikiki.
While there is a lot of work to be done, the South Oahu SWCD, RC&D, and the AWWA feel confident that this restoration project will provide benefits that stretch from the mountains to the sea.
Thick, invasive vegetation, flash floods and eroded terrain make this site a difficult one to tackle, but also provides a wealth of opportunity for conservation work.
Taking the lead on this project is none other than the South Oahu SWCD chair herself, Karen AhMai, who also works with the AWWA. Rough terrain and steep slopes cannot slow her down.
Fearless leader Karen takes charge (and photos)
Stream bank restoration
Using techniques gathered from similar local restoration projects, the Paradise Park project is off to a promising start in 2015.
Invasive species removal 3
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Windward Oahu District Board Vice Chairman- Brian Cordero, Treasurer- Dave Morgan, Secretary- Nate Miranda, Director- Tyler Jones Message from the Windward Oahu Chair
Rick Towill, Chairperson
The Windward Oahu Soil and Water Conservation District continues to work with our windward cooperators, comprised of farmers, ranchers and land owners of all sizes, to effect good soil and water conservation practices and to implement sound Best Management Practices towards that end. We currently have a talented and motivated island wide conservation specialist, who is currently reaching out to all of our family of cooperators in an effort to reaffirm our partnership with them and to address any current needs and issues. Concurrent with this effort, we are looking forward to assisting our new and existing farmers at Turtle Bay and BYU as well as reaching out to our Wai’ahole farmers along with the Oahu Resource and Development Council [ORCD] in a long overdue effort to effect sound conservation in that valley. The board is working closely and tirelessly with South and West Oahu District boards to reengage collaboratively with the Coty and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting, that together we may more effectively manage sound soil and water conservation practices, island wide as well as from Makapu’u point to Kahuku point within our Windward District! We remain ever humbly grateful to our windward and greater Oahu communities, for their continued support and belief in the Soil and Water Conservation Districts efforts. Mahalo and Aloha, Rick
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Manoa Chocolate Co. Native Plant and Stream Restoration
In addition to making delicious sweets, these chocolatiers are also serious conservationists. What was once an invasive weed-infested 1 acre piece or property, now hosts native plants, and a happy stream. Over the past three years, Manoa Chocolate Company co-owner
Tamara Armstrong has been chipping away at the weedy stream, which now feeds kalo, mamaki, iliee, palapalai, kupukupu and other native ferns. One of the biggest problems she faced includes the dynamic stream, which could change course and shape after a rain event. Understanding how to place plants to control erosion and even cause a natural slope to the steep stream bank was critical to the soil conservation project. She hopes that the restoration of the stream will encourage native fauna
In addition to restoring the stream, she was also able to convert the weedy area into an agricultural “micro-farm�. She leases the area out to a beginning farmer in exchange for his assistance in maintaining the area. In addition to her space, he has similar agreements with several other local landowners, and he is able to produce enough products to market. Tamara thinks this model of farming for beginning farmers is a promising way to get a head start in a career in ag.
After Restoration Efforts Before Restoration Efforts
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West Oahu District Board Secretary- Peter Gibson, Vice Chairman- Alan Gottlieb, Director- John McHugh, Treasurer- Taylor Kellerman
Message from the West Oahu Chair
The West Oahu Soil and Water Conservation District has launched an initiative to bridge the gap between public perceptions and on-thefarm needs. We strive to strengthen our District, which has assisted farmers, ranchers, landowners, and land-operators in the stewardship of soil and water resources for over sixty-five years. We support our community by staffing the District through private and community funds, assuring the stability of services offered, while addressing the most urgent concerns facing farmers and ranchers.
Larry Jefts, Chairperson
In addition to promoting sustainable best management practices, we work to inform legislative and regulatory groups on issues critical to natural resource conservation. The District collaborates with producers, schools, and community groups to foster scientific and agricultural literacy. We look forward to continued partnerships with Cooperators of all sizes and agencies of all scales. Thank you, Larry
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Waimea Valley Native Habitat Restoration
Protecting Endemic Wildlife
Gearing up to take care of your backyard is no simple task when you are dealing with 1,875 acres. Waimea Valley is working in partnership with the Koolau Mountains Watershed Project to tackle some serious terrain. Despite slopes up to 40% grade, the restoration team is not slowing down. They have started tackling dense thickets of invasive weeds and are planting native plants including: Hibiscus, Abutilon, Metrosideros, and Acacia.
Restoration efforts include improving critical habitat for the Hawaiian Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus). Waimea Valley’s ongoing efforts help to ensure that they continue to host Wiliwili trees, Hawaiian damselflies, Hawaiian moorhens, and the Hawaiian hoary bat. Exhausting available native trees stocks, the group has started growing seedlings for out-planting. Fortunately, the group is using some of the most advanced native seed germination practices available, expediting propagation.
Transplanted koa with a spectacular view 7
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A Year of Collaboration Conservation Awareness Program (CAP) The Oahu SWCDs hosted the 2014 Hawaii State CAP at the Poamoho Research Station, with the support of NRCS, Wai Engineering, Hawaiian Earth Products, and DuPont Pioneer volunteers.
Olomana School: First Place Team Oahu Conservation Awareness Program Oahu’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to host the Oahu Conservation Awareness Program in Kunia. With volunteer support of Hawaii Agricultural Research Center (HARC) and nearby farms of Syngenta Seed, DuPont Pioneer, and Monsanto Hawaii, high school students from across the island came with their teachers to compete. Students assessed slope, soil texture, land-use, and additional natural resource concerns in a problembased conservation competition. Students also collaborated with soil science and natural resource management specialists from both public and private sectors. Congratulations to Olomana High School for winning the individual top scorer and team score! We also recognize the teachers and students from Leilehua, Castle, and Waipahu high schools that competed in the Oahu contest. Thank you for your dedication to agriculture, conservation, and education. We hope to expand our conservation outreach during the 2015-16 school year.
Kapolei Middle School Learning Garden The NRCS, Malama Learning Center, and West Oahu SWCD partnered to establish a learning garden at Kapolei Middle School. Students learn about soil health, vegetative cover, and conservation while planting food crops.
Ground breaking at Kapolei Middle
The Hawaii Agricultural Foundation is working with Oahu Soil and Water Conservation Districts to expand the adoption of the VeggieU Hawaii hands-on agriculture curriculum within public school fourth grade classrooms.
The Oahu SWCDs worked with local educators to increase the number of high school students who applied to the competitive APHIS AgDiscovery Program. This year, sixty percent of student participants are from Oahu.
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Legislation
We have been working closely with the City Council and administrators to push conservation efforts as well as recognize illegal dumping, water quality, and coastal issues These efforts include testifying before the County Council, submitting written testimony, and meeting with the mayor and other interested parties. We also provided testimony at the 2015 State Legislature, contributing to the funding of HACD's conservation specialists and Hawaii One.
Technical Assistance
We are lucky to have dedicated SWCD cooperators who are eager to share their conservation success stories. With the support of Oahu RC&D, our upcoming workshop series will include practical strategies for on-thefarm conservation planning, reforestation, and wildlife habitat improvement.
issue,2015 date Annual Report,
New Markets
Our farmers are lucky to live on a unique area, which provides microclimates that are ideal for diversified agriculture. We are also fortunate to have some of the leading experts on alternative crops, and creative ag business marketing. We are working with our advanced farmers and CTAHR to provide farmers with updated knowledge about diversified agriculture, new crop markets, and techniques to ensure a successful harvest.
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Soil Health Workshop Series Reaching Out
Soil Health Initiatives
Our New, Island Wide Website
Cover crops It’s about time we get with the times! With our ongoing efforts in increase our outreach potential, our new website will include our services, meeting information, and farmer resources.
The NRCS, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and Oahu SWCDs have been promoting soil health BMPs including reduced tillage, cover crop application, and novel seeding techniques. In addition, NRCS is helping to recruit ag park lessees in group conservation workshops to encourage neighbors to enlist soil conservation practices as a group.
www.oahuswcd.org
Reduced tillage
Increased biodiversity
Our upcoming workshops will aim to educate farmers on the benefits of promoting a healthy soil and new soil health practices and techniques that are available to small farmers.
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A Message From The Oʻahu RC&D
Aloha mai kākou, This year we have achieved many milestones and organizational goals. With the help of our partners including UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaiʻi Dept. of Agriculture, and DuPont Pioneer, we have been able to increase our ‘Tropic Sun’ Sunn Hemp seed sales. Within this past year we have expanded our sales in the neighbor islands and sold over 5,200 lbs. of seeds, reaching more than 25 local farms. In the near future, we hope to set up distribution points across the state, with the help of the Hawaiʻi SWCDs, to reduce the costs, and increase the availability of cover crops.
In addition to our seed sales, we've received grant funding from the Dept. of Health, with the goal of improving our watersheds. Through this grant, we’ve been working in the Windward Oʻahu community to develop conservation plans and provide cost-sharing assistance for best management practices (BMP). We've recently concluded our work in the Waimānalo community, where we distributed $58,000 in BMP cost-share funds, which was matched with $45,000 from participating farms. Through this grant, we were able to provide educational workshops to the community on watershed health and rain catchments. This year we will be pursuing a similar program in the Waiāhole community, with the focus of improving the water quality of Kāneʻohe Bay.
As we look towards the future, we hope to continue, grow, and expand our community partnerships and our conservation reach through the use of Hawaii One, a conservation planning tool. With Hawaii One, we will be able to provide conservation planning services to all local farmers and ensure the protection of our islands’ natural resources.
Mahalo nui loa, Oʻahu RC&D
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Cooperator Highlight DuPont Pioneer Waialua Parent Seed We would like to congratulate DuPont Pioneer, Waialua Parent Seed for their hard work conserving Oahu’s natural resources. DuPont Pioneer in Waialua has been a long time land steward and cooperator in the West SWCD. In addition to being one of Oahu’s leaders in cover cropping systems, DuPont Pioneer has also led the charge in organizing field visits and establishing demonstration plots.
Cover crop demonstration plots
Cover crops in the field
Their focus on education has provided opportunities for hands-on learning programs for local kids, as well as workshops for local farmers. Since Sept 2014, the farm has hosted 15 schools from North Shore area to Kunia with over 1,800 students participating in agricultural education field trips. As one of our leading cooperators in acres of cover crops DuPont Pioneer, Waialua Parent Seed can boast planting over 500 acres of cover crops per year. In another reach of sustainability, they produce cover crop seeds, which are available to other farmers through Oahu RC&D. Congratulations DuPont Pioneer on a job well done!
Message From NRCS Field Office What an exciting year it has been! The Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office in Aiea relocated to the Federal Building in Honolulu on June 1st, 2015. This gives us the opportunity to try doing business in a new way. We will make every effort to accommodate our clients by meeting them in the field. Additionally, our new interactive website “Client Gateway” is now live, where clients can request assistance and review their current conservation plan: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/cgate/ We received applications for financial assistance on 4,143 acres of land on Oahu. We are working hard to approve as many of those applications as possible. The field office team takes pride in getting conservation practices installed that will assist clients in protecting natural resources while maintaining their income from the land they work. Invite us out to your land and we can identify ways to help you as well. Malama da aina Bernadette Luncsford, District Conservationist
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Annual Report, issue,2015 date
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Cooperator Highlight
Photo Courtesy of Livable Hawaii Kai
Elizabeth Reilly- Livable Hawaii A long time cooperator and conservationist, Elizabeth Reilly has been making great improvements to her project in Hawaii Kai. Her group, Livable Hawaii Kai Hui, started in 2004 to protect a 5-acre parcel, which faced development. In order to preserve known cultural and natural resources in the area, they continue to expand the area they are working to protect.
Photo Courtesy of Windward Country News
Paul Zweng- Ohulehule Forest Conservancy The Ohulehule Forest Conservancy is one of the top examples of restoration work in Hawaii. Founder Paul Zweng has been refining techniques for invasive species control while working his way through the 1,444 acres of the conservancy in the back of Waikane Valley.
One of his biggest projects includes tackling the giant Albizia trees that tower over the property. Volunteers The state and city commissions has recently come a few times a week to kill the invasive plants by become involved in helping preserve the area hand. After removing the trees, native plants are then known as the Ka Iwi Coast, and they are hoping to able to recover successfully. expand their efforts to the 181 acre parcel. We are proud to have this great resource available to Congratulations Elizabeth, and keep up the good us for our future conservation efforts. work!
2015 Conservation Awareness Contest
This year, the Windward SWCD will be hosting the Conservation Awareness Contest in Waimanalo. This contest provides teh opportunity to provide students with hands on training in soil and land judging. We greatly appreciate the donors who made this possible.
Thank You! Our Generous Donors: Gold Hawaiian Earth Products Anonymous Donor Silver BEI Hawaii 13
Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts
Annual Report, 2015
Thank You! The Oahu Soil and Water Conservation Districts would like to thank all of our cooperators. Our commitment to promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources in our community requires community partners and knowledge. Without your support and cooperation, we could not present the wonderful projects going on today. We would also like to thank our partners at Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts, Department of Land and Natural Resources, College of Tropical Ag and Human Resources, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Ag Research Center, Resource Conservation Development Council, Hawaii Ag Foundation, NRCS- USDA, HDOA, and FSA for the ongoing support and resources. Mahalo for your support --The Oahu SWCD board members, conservation specialist, and soil conservationist.
HACD Annual Report, 2015
[Street Address] [City], [State][Postal Code]
[Recipient] Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Address Line 3 Address Line 4
[Recipient] Oahu SWCD C/O NRCS Pacific Islands Area State Office PO Box 50004 Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
HACD Annual Report, 2015 The Oahu Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) Our mission is to promote responsible stewardship of natural resources in our community. The Oahu SWCD encourages conservation practices, and assists land stewards to manage their natural resources, and improve the environment, at no cost to you.
Every little action helps! We can assist you: Develop a conservation plan Coordinate workshops Find materials and resources Join our community of land stewards! We provide technical assistance for: o Erosion mitigation o Wind Damage o Invasive Species Control o Cropping systems o Natural Resource Concerns
Contact Us Online: www.oahuswcd.org Phone: 808-541-2600 +103
Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts
Annual Report, 2015