• a community based volunteer advisory group.
• residents dedicated to "bringing the community together to understand and protect the ecology of the Hilo Bay Watershed."
• providers of outreach and education through monthly programs. 
• sponsors of educational events and beach, bay, and shoreline cleanups.

HBWAG History

The State of Hawai'i Department of Health (DOH) placed several Hilo waterbodies (Waiakea, Alenaio, Wailoa, Wailuku, Honoli'i) on the 1998 State of Hawai'i list of impaired waters under §303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act after inspection in 1996. Excessive turbidity (usually caused by sediment) was listed as a cause of poor water quality in Honoli'i, Wailuku, and Wailoa, and excessive nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) in Honoli'i, Wailoa, Alenaio, and Waiakea. These waterbodies feed Hilo Bay, which has been on the list of impaired waters for decades. 

To begin to address Hilo Bay’s watershed impairment issues, the DOH received a grant from the EPA and contracted the University of Hawai'i’s Environmental Center (EC) to acquire background data on the causes of water pollution and resource degradation, and to develop a community-based assessment of sources of watershed impairment. The Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group (HBWAG) was formed in July 2003 to help collect public input to assess and address local water quality compliance issues. The input is summarized in the Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Report dated May 2004, and concludes that the health of Hilo Bay (water quality) is influenced both positively and negatively by three primary activities: watershed management, human activities, and natural factors. Steps to address these factors are noted in the report and reflected in the HBWAG mission statement.

The DOH subsequently secured additional funding and again contracted with the EC to pursue the development of a Hilo Bay Watershed-Based Restoration Plan (WRP).  The purpose of a WRP is to identify actions that can be taken to address the specified water quality impairments. The Hilo Bay WRP, published in October 2005, concluded that “there are insufficient data to allow identification of the sources of pollution… the basis on which the waters are listed.” It’s recommendations included implementation of (1) certain non-structural Best Management Practices and associated demonstration projects, (2) formal and informal education, (3) baseline data collection, and (4) efforts supportive of the County to manage flood water and wastewater.  However the WRP was never adopted by DOH or the EPA due to differences of opinions regarding the conclusions and recommendation, and additional funds were not granted to implement the WRP recommendations.

HBWAG Today

The HBWAG continues to work toward fulfilling its mission and meeting the need for scientific data necessary to address the impairment status.  

In February 2007 the HBWAG partnered with NOAA and its Mokupapapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo to institute a free monthly forum for presenting educational and informational topics for all to enjoy.  The launching of this web site adds yet another dimension to the HBWAG's overarching strategies for fulfilling its mission.  Those strategies are to:

• Seek partnerships and engage in collaborative problem identification and solutions.
• Promote comprehensive watershed management principles to identify and resolve watershed and water quality problems and propose solutions based on scientifically based information and research.
• Strive to increase HBWAG membership and to foster community participation in learning about and improving conditions in the watershed.

For more information regarding HBWAG activities see our Research and Projects section.