HANALEI — A multi-million dollar stream restoration project of Hanalei Stream is finished, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. “Without this work, to repair the streambank, flooding of adjoining properties would continue to be a risk, the
HANALEI — A multi-million dollar stream restoration project of Hanalei Stream is finished, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
“Without this work, to repair the streambank, flooding of adjoining properties would continue to be a risk, the taro loi would be in jeopardy due to insufficient water and habitat for endangered Hawaii waterbirds in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge would be negatively impacted,” Carty Chang, DLNR chief engineer said.
On Friday, Jade Waialeale Battad blessed the state- sponsored project.
Nine taro farmers, their families, local and state political leaders, engineers and construction workers joined in the commemoration of the end of work.
Hanalei is one of only two EPA National Heritage rivers west of the Rockies. A breach in its bank, 20 years ago, diverted water from the stream and often flooded adjacent properties after heavy rains. This break also reduced stream flow entering an intake pipe that provides water for Hawaii’s largest taro growing complex, and habitat for endangered native birds within the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.
Rodney Haraguchi, one of the farmers who was an outspoken advocate of the repairs, outlined stop-gap measures taken over the past two decades to try and fix the breach. None of those steps provided a permanent solution.
Around 2011, the state Legislature provided the DLNR millions of dollars for the restoration project.
“There were many challenges in undertaking this project, however, by working closely with stakeholders and the community, we are confident the streambank restoration will restore adequate flows for farmers and the wildlife refuge, and reduce the amount of sediment flowing into Hanalei Bay,” Chang said.
The new plantings and the streambank improvements, will be monitored by the DLNR over the next three years. A temporary irrigation system is in place in case of dry spells.
