Background: In August 2023, the Kula Fire caused by Hurricane Dora burned approximately 300 acres in Kula. The burn extended through residential areas and unmanaged rangeland from above the Haleakala Highway (Route 377) to just above Lower Kula Road (Route 37). The fire was fueled by vegetation surrounding Pulehu Gulch, an ephemeral stream, and was carried to the NW by strong winds from Hurricane Dora. The land to the SW of the gulch is primarily unmanaged rangeland and the land to the NE of the gulch is residential development. Approximately 20 houses burned in this fire. More than 90 landowners may be assisted by this project.

Map of Kula EWP area

Resource Concerns: Water-induced erosion is a primary resource concern resulting from the Kula Fire. If left unaddressed, erosion is expected to undermine house foundations, obstruct flow through culverts and bridges, damage sensitive aquatic ecosystems, and degrade public use areas.

Without intervention, woody debris and sediment is expected to obstruct culverts, bridges and associated roads needed for transportation, including emergency services. For example, the bridge immediately downstream of the Kula burn unit, at Lower Kula Road, already has a history of overtopping. Fire induced damage to the watershed will exacerbate this problem.

NRCS DSR Recommended Practices: Please see the Kula Damage Survey Report DSR) for more information.

  • NRCS recommends converting the firebreak along the SW bank of Pulehu Gulch, below Route 377, into a gravel access road. A gravel road will provide equipment access to the SW bank of the gulch, reduce dust, reduce erosion, reduce runoff, and facilitate continued firebreak protection. NRCS recommends the application of wood chip mulch and seeding between the proposed access road and the top of the gulch ban.

  • NRCS recommends the application of wood chip mulch and seeding on bare soil firebreaks and a few other targeted areas (approximately 32 acres total within the Kula burn scar).

  • NRCS recommends the clearing and removal of debris from streambeds within the burn area.

  • NRCS recommends the use of log erosion barriers in two areas where water enters Pulehu Gulch by overbank flow.

  • NRCS recommends use of a 48 x 12 x 1 foot gabion mattress below the house at 20.77571 N, 156.30572 W.


Kula EWP Project Status:

  • March 4, 2024: Maui Environmental Consulting (MEC) contract includes management of the Kula gravel access road due to engineering requirement.

  • March 21, 2024: Kula Landowner Meeting held to discuss the EWP.

  • March 26, 2024:  Kula EWP Program Project Director RFI posted.

  • May 2, 2024: Best and Final Kula Project Director proposal received.

  • June 10, 2024: Kula Project Director contract executed with The Permaculture Group (TPG).


Phase I: Secure Landowner Agreements in order to finalize the EWP scope of work for construction contracts.

  • June 10, 2024: The Permaculture Group begins working with NRCS to assess the current situation and execute Landowner Agreements.

  • June 2024: CMSWCD began receiving signed Landowner Agreements to allow the CMSWCD to do Emergency Watershed Protection program work on their property.

  • June – September 2024: 48 Landowner Agreements signed. 18 Landowner Agreements pending.

  • November 2024: Reassigned Haleakala Hui/Holt properties to MEC at the landowner’s request.

  • February 2025: Landowner Agreement for Haleakala Hu/Holt properties signed by landowner.


Phase II: Construction Proposals and Contracting

  • October 7, 2024: Contract with CDF Engineering executed to design gravel access road (MEC).

  • October 15, 2024: CMSWCD started receiving quotes from The Permaculture Group (TPG). Quotes were higher than the Kula EWP budget ($2.4M - $5.8M).

  • January 2025: MEC provided quotes for $1.3M to address Pulehu Gulch clearing & snagging and $159K to address Chevalier mulching. TPG agrees to re-assign Pulehu Gulch clearing to MEC to move the project forward.

  • February 2025: NRCS approved engineering plans for gravel access road on Chevalier property.

  • March 24, 2025: Kula EWP Project Status Informational meeting for Kula landowners who signed a Landowner Agreement.

  • March 27, 2025: Contract executed with Rousseau Services ($788K) to do Phase I of Pulehu Gulch clearing (MEC).

  • Next Steps: The Kula EWP involves the following projects.

Contract for Projects 6 – 12 will be executed together because the work is anticipated to be done by the same vendor (Climbing HI).

Requesting NRCS approval to reallocate cost savings in Pulehu EWP to Kula to pay for Chevalier gravel access road ($1.7M), additional Haleakala Hui/Holt work ($180K).

Updated: April 4, 2025