Landscape fire recovery work progresses in Upcountry, Kihei gulches
Several USDA NRCS funded projects completed, next projects underway

April 4, 2025

More than 20,000 cubic yards of excess sedimentation have been moved and over 9,200 linear feet of gulches have been cleared of burnt debris and dead or dying trees as part of a major undertaking to address substantial landscape damage caused by the Maui wildfires of 2023, and to protect communities and ecosystems downslope of the burned areas.

Led by the Central Maui Soil & Water Conservation District, in collaboration with numerous property owners and community members, the recovery work encompasses well over 7,000 acres of terrain and is made possible by approximately $15 million in Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The federal EWP program offers vital recovery support for local communities to reduce hazards to life and property caused by major storms, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters.

The Maui EWP project involves three burn areas – Pulehu, Olinda and Kula – where the disastrous fires left behind thousands of acres of loose and exposed soils and massive quantities of debris – conditions that present a significant risk of heavy soil erosion, flooding and potential damage to downslope infrastructure. EWP project work has been completed in three gulches that had been heavily impacted, with the next group of projects slated to begin in Kula next week.

To date, the Maui EWP project has successfully completed:

• Removal of approximately 20,000 cubic yards of sediment from Kulanihakoi Gulch in North Kihei as part of the Pulehu EWP fire recovery effort. Sedimentation in natural waterways reduces their capacity to channel storm water and increases the risk of flooding in the area. Completed January 2025.

• Clearing of debris and dead or dying trees along more than 8,000 linear feet in Kaluapulani Gulch as part of the Olinda EWP fire recovery effort. Project completed in December 2024.

• Removal and chipping of burnt trees and other debris on Haleakala Ranch land along approximately 1,200 linear feet of Kailua Gulch as part of the Olinda EWP fire recovery work. Project completed in October 2024.

• Additional clearing work in Kailua Gulch was completed on Hupp-Rivers’ property in February 2025. Approximately 100 trees that had perished as a result of the 2023 wildfire were at risk of falling into the gulch and moving downstream, posing a risk of severe damage to downstream infrastructure.

“Given the complexity and magnitude of the damage that the fires caused to our landscapes on Maui, it’s been a monumental task for our team and the impacted landowners, but with every project executed and completed, it’s been incredibly worthwhile,” said Darren Strand, chair, Central Maui SWCD. “I can’t even begin to express how much we appreciate NRCS for their funding and technical assistance, as well as the tremendous support and hard work of our staff, our project contractors, landowners, and community members like Councilmember Sugimura and other Kula residents who have been very responsive and engaged.”

The CMSWCD is moving forward with its next set of EWP projects in Kula, including:

• Debris clearing and tree snagging work in Pulehu Gulch will begin next week,

• Debris clearing and tree snagging in a gulch adjacent to Kula Lodge,

• Mulching on various properties belonging to Kula landowners, and

• Conversion of a firebreak on Chevalier property to a gravel access road to provide equipment access to Pulehu Gulch as well as reduce dust, erosion and runoff to facilitate continued firebreak protection.

Other EWP projects are in various stages of execution, including additional gully clearing, fencing, fuel break and firebreak installation, mulching, seeding, and removal of another 5,000 cubic yards of sediment from gulches in North Kihei and on Mahi Pono land where sediment has plugged natural pathways.

2024 Future Farmers of America District Career Development Event

December 13, 2024

Our team from Maui Soil & Water Conservation District was invited to participate as judges the Maui District Future Farmers of America Career Development Event. The Maui District Future Farmers of America is a student organization that focuses on agriculture and leadership.

Project aims to restore landscape, mitigate deer damage and reduce erosion above Kihei

May 14, 2024

A collaborative project to protect against erosion, reduce flood risk, mitigate axis deer damage, and improve water quality has been implemented in an 11-acre area mauka of Kihei.

The Hapapa Watershed Axis Deer Damage Mitigation project is a joint effort managed by the Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District (CMSWCD) in partnership with Haleakala Ranch, Maui Environmental Consulting and the Hawaii Department of Health. The endeavor will revegetate and stabilize an area on the leeward flank of Haleakala that has been overgrazed and denuded by axis deer and other feral ungulates.

Lacking vegetative groundcover, exposed landscapes are highly susceptible to soil erosion. During rain events, sediment can be swept away in storm waters and deposited on streets, homes, and in critical habitats such as wetlands and coral reefs.

“When there’s been heavy rainfall on the slopes above Kihei, South Maui has been hit by brown water events that are very costly both environmentally and economically,” said Mae Nakahata, CMSWCD chair. “Roadways, bridges and homes get flooded; sensitive ecosystems are smothered by sediment; and coastal water quality is compromised. We’re very excited to move forward with this project, to help reduce those risks by restoring those upslope acres to a healthier state.”

The Hapapa Watershed Axis Deer Damage Mitigation project also aims to improve water quality by re-establishing vegetation in the project area using R-1 recycled water from the Kihei Wastewater Treatment Facility for irrigation.

Currently, millions of gallons of R-1 water from the Kihei Wastewater Treatment Facility are injected into underground wells each day. The nutrient rich water percolates through the ground and drains into the ocean, negatively impacting nearshore water quality and degrading important marine habitats. Incorporating R-1 water into the project removes that water from underground injection wells, supports revegetation of the landscape, and contributes toward aquifer recharge and improved water quality. The newly grown groundcover will be managed by cattle grazing.

Funding for the project totals $156,700, which includes $119,900 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and $36,800 in matching contributions from Maui Environmental Consulting and Haleakala Ranch.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under assistance agreement C9-96978722-0 to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, Clean Water Branch. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial projects mentioned in this document.

Fundraiser announced for annual Conservation Awareness Program

December 12, 2014

The Maui Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Central Maui SWCD is currently seeking funds to support their annual Conservation Awareness Program.

The SWCDs of Hawaii in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and UH-CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service sponsor the Annual Conservation Awareness Program to provide interested youths and organized groups an opportunity to learn about, appreciate, and understand soil and water resources.

An annual land judging competition is held to test the knowledge of the participants. The 4-H Dirt Devils won our 2014 county and state contests. As state winners, the 4-H Dirt Devils (Kiarra Burkitt, Brian Lavongtheung, Corin Nishimoto, Kaitlyn Yamada, and Advisor Daryl Yamada) have earned an invitation to represent Hawaii in the national competition, May 5-7, 2015, in Oklahoma City.

SWCD is hoping to raise $10,000 to help get the Maui team to the national competition. Funds raised will help to pay for the registration fee, air and ground transportation, hotel, and meals for a team of five members to travel to Oklahoma.

As part of SWCD's fundraising efforts, a benefit dinner and silent auction at Catering from Soup to Nuts, Inc. & Vineyard Food Company (located at 1951 E. Vineyard St., Wailuku) is scheduled for January 30th and 31st, 2015.

To make a monetary donation and/or to donate a silent auction item(s) for this fundraiser, please complete a Donation Form and mail form/donation to: Central Maui SWCD, c/o 77 Hookele Street, Suite 202, Kahului, HI 96732.

For more information, please contact us. 

Wahikuli-Honokowai Agricultural Road Drainage Improvement Project completes Phase I

September 30, 2014

On September 2014, work was completed on Phase I of a West Maui Soil & Water Conservation District pilot project involving work on two stretches of agricultural roads in Wahikuli and Honokowai watersheds. These areas were identified as problem areas for sediment erosion leading to stress on coastal ecosystems.

Working with landowners and an engineer, specifications were created for where the construction contractors should put water bars, and reestablish terraces.  Improvements were made to 3.2 miles of road and have resulted in more functional water diversion systems that will slow and divert run-off and sediment accumulated in rain fall events, preventing it from continuing into the gulches and down to coastal waters where it stresses reefs.  The capacity of two local contractors has been increased, and this pilot scale project has facilitated an understanding of the steps that will be required for the larger-scale Phase II project to follow this fall. 

For more information, click here.

Updated Guidelines for Livestock Nutrient Management Available at a Cooperative Extension Service Near You

December 2010

The Guidelines for Livestock Nutrient Management in Hawaii, dated January 19, 2010 supersedes the June 1996 Guidelines for Livestock Waste Management in its entirety.    

Hawaii has many regulations that may affect the livestock industry. The Guidelines are intended to provide guidance to existing and new animal feeding operation (AFO) owners/operators on the existing federal and state regulations. The regulations have been promulgated to ensure a safe and clean environment. More specifically, the primary area of focus of the current regulations is to protect the state waters by minimizing the water pollution from animal feeding operations and the land application of manure.     

On October 31, 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) finalized revisions to the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements and Effluent Limitation Guidelines and Standards for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). These revisions went into effect on December 22, 2008. Most animal feeding operations are not expected to be affected by the newly revised regulations.     

For more information on this program and who to contact, download the Guidelines for Livestock Management in Hawaii brochure and/or click here.