Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input Report, May 2004

Table of Contents

Executive Summary.....................................................................................................2

Overview ..............................................................................................................3

II. Background .........................................................................................................4

III. Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group...............................................................7

IV. Public Input Process ...........................................................................................7

V. Public Input Analysis..........................................................................................8

VI. Conclusions..........................................................................................................9

Appendix

Table 1

2004 List of Impaired Waters in Hawaii

Table 2

Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized)

Table 3

Hilo Bay Watershed Issues (Categorized)

Table 4

Hilo Bay Watershed Solutions (Categorized)

Table 5

Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

Diagram 1 Problem Tree Example

Diagram 2 Problems-Causes-Effects of the Public Input Report

Diagram 3 Solutions

Supplemental Information

? Information prepared by Thomas Young

o Background information on Hilo Bay Watershed
o Honolii and Wailuku River Water Quality Monitoring Data from the State of Hawaii

Department of Health Clean Water Branch

o Thomas Young?s conclusions on background turbidity in the Honolii and Wailuku

Rivers

? Total Daily Maximum Load Fact Sheet prepared by David Penn

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

Executive Summary

Hilo Bay and its tributaries do not comply with all State water quality standards and was therefore put on
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies. As the
enforcement agency for the State of Hawaii, the State Department of Health (DOH) subsequently
received EPA grant funds and contracted with the University of Hawaii at Manoa to complete the initial
step of the EPA program to bring waters into compliance with standards. The initial step requires
collecting background information and input from the community on what residents believe to be the
problems associated with Hilo Bay water quality.

The analysis of the public input led to the following conclusions:

1. There are many unknowns regarding the Hilo Bay watershed?s problems and potential solutions.

2. A formal, professional needs assessment/problem analysis should be conducted.

3. All the stakeholders (the community, landowners, and County, State, and Federal agencies)

should be involved in the process including a formal, professional needs assessment

4. The Hilo Bay WAG/Public Input process has been of significant value:

a. There is a better understanding of what we -the stakeholders- do know and, mostly, do

not know about the Hilo Bay watershed

b. It is clear we need to work together at all levels to identify and prioritize the Hilo Bay

watershed?s problems and solutions.

The first phase of any future project should focus on leadership, coordination, cooperation, systematic
information gathering and analysis, and community education.

The Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input Final Report (Final Report) documents the public input,
describes the public input process and analysis, and states the conclusions, including the watershed
restoration priorities. This Final Report is a key component to the Hilo Bay Watershed Background File
that provides the critical information needed for the subsequent steps, including developing a watershed
restoration/management plan, obtaining funds for restoration projects, and updating policies and
guidelines related to watershed management.

________________________

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

Unifying Clean Water Programs

Within Watersheds

"...current federal and state environmental
programs and policies are fragmented and do
not adequately emphasize restoration based
on management of large interconnected
aquatic ecosystems. The diverse
responsibility of all layers of government
affecting aquatic resources needs to be better
coordinated if large-scale restoration is to be
accomplished efficiently and effectively.
Because aquatic ecosystems are
interconnected and interactive, effective
restoration efforts should usually be
conducted on a large enough scale to include
all significant components of the watershed."

Source/quoted from: Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems,
National Research Service, National Academy of
Sciences, 1992
http://www.cleanwater.gov/action/c3b.html

Overview

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with the Clean Water Act, mandated
that all states review water quality data for water bodies throughout the state to determine if those waters
were in compliance with state water quality standards. Waterbodies that exceeded sate water quality
standards were labeled ?impaired? or ?limited? and thus qualified for the EPA Total Maximum Daily
Load (TMDL) Process. TMDLs establish the maximum rate at which impaired waterbodies can receive
certain pollutants without exceeding the State?s water quality standards. This process includes calculating
existing pollutant loads, determining relationships between these loads and State water quality standards,
and suggesting how pollutants, pollutant source areas, and stream environments could be managed to
achieve necessary water quality improvements. The TMDL Process identifies activities that may help
reduce pollutant loads, improve water quality, and increase a waterbody's ability to support its legally-
protected uses (such as public recreation and protecting the breeding stock of native animals).

1,2

The State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) placed
several Hilo waterbodies (Waiakea, Alenaio, Wailoa,
Wailuku, Honolii) on the 1998 State of Hawaii list of
impaired waters under �303(d) of the federal Clean Water
Act after inspection in 1996. Excessive turbidity (usually
caused by sediment) is listed as a cause of poor water
quality in Honolii, Wailuku, and Wailoa, and excessive
nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) in Honolii, Wailoa,
Alenaio, and Waiakea. DOH water quality monitoring
data for the Honolii and Wailuku rivers can be found in
Supplemental Information in the Appendix. Excessive
pathogens, as indicated by measured enterococci levels,
are listed as an additional cause of poor water quality in
Wailoa. These waterbodies all feed Hilo Bay, which has
been on the list of impaired waters for decades.

The

current 303(d) list for the County of Hawaii is shown in
Table 1

. 2004 303(d) List for Hawaii (see Appendix).

Hilo Bay was listed due to non-compliance with State
water quality standards and because it has potential for
effective remediation.

An EPA funded Statewide Watershed Project was initiated
in 2002 to improve water quality in the impaired watersheds and bring them into compliance with State
water quality standards. The DOH applied for and received EPA grant funds to participate in this

Source: Fact Sheet by Dave Penn, State of Hawaii Department of Health, Total Daily Maximum Load Coordinator; May 2004

(see Appendix)

Federal, State, and local law do not require TMDL implementation and TMDLs are not enforced by federal, State, and local

authorities. Ambient water quality standards, permit conditions, and permit requirements are enforced by the DOH and the EPA.
Source: Fact Sheet by Dave Penn, State of Hawaii Department of Health, Total Daily Maximum Load Coordinator; May 2004
(see Appendix)

Source: 2004 List of Impaired Waters in Hawaii Prepared Under Clean Water Act 303(d) Public Comment Draft prepared by

Linda Koch, June Harrigan-Lum and Katina Henderson for Hawaii State Department of Health, Environmental Planning Office,
February 27, 2004

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

program. Once the impaired waters were identified, the next step in the EPA program was to record
public input to be used in the development of a program to restore the impaired waters. The DOH
contracted with the University of Hawaii at Manoa to gather community input for the seven most troubled
State watersheds regarding what the communities believed to be the water quality problems, the causes
and effects of the problems, and potential solutions. This community input will now be used in the
development of an EPA watershed restoration plan to restore the health of the watershed and effectively
reduce non-point source pollution (NPS) inputs.

This illustrates the shift in water resources management in recent years from eliminating obvious point
sources of pollution to a watershed-based approach that emphasizes pollution prevention, economic
sustainability, and overall environmental improvement. Watershed management, according to the EPA, is
"a coordinating framework for environmental management that focuses on public and private sector
efforts to address the highest priority problems within hydrologically-defined geographic areas."

Three key concepts of the watershed approach are:

1. Partnerships with stakeholders affected by resource management decisions
2. A geographic focus for management activities
3. Management techniques based on strong science and data.

The purpose of this report is to:

? Describe and document the public input process
? Provide the information that is essential to the development of a watershed restoration/

management plan for Hilo Bay

? Define the Hilo Bay watershed restoration priorities.

The EPA watershed restoration plans mostly focus on implementing projects that will bring impaired
waters into compliance with water quality standards in a relatively short time frame. A watershed
management plan however includes water quality and restoration as a component, but focuses on
developing and implementing a long-term strategy for a sustainable, balanced watershed. That is, a
watershed restoration plan could be an important component of a watershed management plan, but
nevertheless could be designed and implemented with or without being part of a watershed management
plan.

II. Background

A watershed is a basin defined primarily by topography, and includes the area where groundwater and
runoff from rainfall ultimately drain. The Hilo Bay watershed is extensive, stretching from the summits of
Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to Hilo Bay. The Hilo Bay Watershed includes all the land and water (both
ground and surface water) within the watershed and consists of the following sub-watersheds: Alenaio,
Honolii, Malii, Paukaa, Pukihae, Wailoa, Wailuku, Wainaku.

The Hilo Bay watershed and seven of the

sub-watersheds along with various monitoring stations are shown in Figure 1. This basin carries nutrients
as well as natural and man-made pollutants to Hilo Bay. Pollutants can also be carried by ocean waters
entering the bay (e.g., cruise ships). Current land uses are shown in Figure 2.

Source/quoted from: MSU's Virtual Watershed Program: An Internet-based Academic Credit or Professional Certificate

Program in Watershed Management at (Internet)

www.iwr.msu.edu/vu/watershed/brochure.html

)

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

The land and waters throughout the Hilo Bay watershed have undergone dramatic changes throughout
history, some natural, some man made. Where scientific documents are not available, historical
publications can provide information as to the conditions of the watershed at the earliest recording to the
present. Several quotes and anecdotal comments are provided in the Supplemental Information in the
Appendix for a view of conditions prior to scientific investigation.

The northern part of the watershed, formed by Mauna Kea has a well-defined channel system on the
middle and lower slopes. Recent lava flows from Mauna Loa have obliterated natural drainageways,
causing floodwaters to flow over wide areas. Large amounts of runoff water enter lava tubes and rock
fractures in the area but some return to the surface as springs that flood the developed areas.

The island of Hawaii, lying in the path of the northeast tradewinds, has an orographic rainfall pattern
typical of the larger islands in the Hawaiian chain. The moisture-laden trades are cooled as they rise up
the mountain slopes and lose part of their moisture as rain. The prevalence of the trades throughout much
of the year accounts for the high annual rainfall of 75 to more than 300 inches on the windward, northeast

Figure 1. Hilo Bay Watershed, Sub-watersheds and Monitoring Locations

Source: Information provided by Thomas Young, Member of the Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group; May 2004; see

Supplemental Information in Appendix

Source: Watershed Work Plan Wailuku-Alenaio Watershed; Hawaii County, Hawaii 1976; Soil Conservation Service Forest

Service; page 3

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

( 1 )

TURBIDITY DEFINED

Turbidity is a principal physical characteristic of water
and is an expression of the optical property that causes
light to be scattered and absorbed by particles and
molecules rather than transmitted in straight lines through
a water sample. It is caused by suspended matter or
impurities that interfere with the clarity of the water.
These impurities may include clay, silt, finely divided
inorganic and organic matter, soluble colored organic
compounds, and plankton and other microscopic
organisms.

Typical sources of turbidity in drinking water include
waste discharges, runoff from watersheds, algae or
aquatic weeds, humic acids/ organic compounds from
decay of plants, leaves, high iron concentrations which
give waters a rust-red coloration, air bubbles and particles
from treatment processes

Once considered as a mostly aesthetic characteristic of
drinking water, significant evidence exists that
controlling turbidity is a competent safeguard against
pathogens in drinking water.

Figure 2. Land Uses Within Hilo Bay Watershed

side of the island. Orographic rainfall increases
with elevation, reaching a maximum intensity
from 2,000 to 3,000 feet elevation and then
diminishing, so that upper slopes are semi-
arid.

Looking at the watershed holistically
encourages a more integrated approach to
addressing the water quality problems in a
manner that will result in restoring and
protecting the bay. The ultimate measure of the
health of the Hilo Bay watershed will be the
improvement of the water quality in Hilo Bay
and it?s tributaries, with emphasis on a
permanent reduction in turbidity, nutrients, and
bacteria, to levels that comply with State
standards. It should be noted that studies to
date show turbidity and bacteria have a
positive correlation, that is, when both occur in
source water, pathogen removal coincides with

Source: See footnote 5; page 17

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

turbidity/particle removal.

Thus turbidity is a special concern to community well-being.

The Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input Final Report (Final Report) documents the public input,
describes the public input process and input analysis, records the conclusions, and defines the watershed
restoration/ management priorities. This Final Report is a key component of the Hilo Bay Watershed
Background File that incorporates the results of the public input process and Watershed Advisory Group
meetings from July 1, 2003 through February 25, 2004. The Background File provides the critical
information needed for developing a Hilo Bay watershed restoration/management plan, for obtaining
State and Federal funding for restoration projects, and for updating policies and guidelines related to
watershed management.

III. Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group

The Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group (WAG) consists of a group of volunteers established
to represent the local community in addressing watershed/water quality issues, including improving water
quality throughout the Hilo Bay watershed. The WAG was formed during the public input process
described above. There have been as many as 20 members with approximately ten people representing
the core members. Since February 25, 2004, the WAG has been working with the University of Hawaii
and Department of Health to apply for funding for the next stage of the EPA program: developing a
restoration/management plan for the Hilo Bay watershed.

IV. Public Input Process

Views of those living, working, and recreating in the Hilo Bay watershed were collected through public
meetings and surveys. This effort was initiated in July 2003 when representatives from the Statewide
Watershed Project held the first two of six public input meetings and gathered opinions about Hilo Bay
water quality. Two more public input meetings were held on January 6, 2004 followed by the final two
meetings on January 21, 2004. There was a total of approximately 100 participants in the six public
meetings. In addition to the public meetings, surveys were distributed and some residents responded via
email to a questionnaire in the local newspaper. Eleven completed surveys and ten write-in responses
were submitted separately.

Questions asked of the public included:

1. What is your biggest concern about the condition of the waters (streams, groundwater, bay) in the

Hilo Bay watershed?

2. What do you feel is the primary cause of the condition of Hilo Bay?
3. What do you think can or should be done to correct this problem?

All of the community input, including that from the six public meetings, responses to surveys,
questionnaires, and interviews, was recorded. The issues and solutions identified through this process are
listed in Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions Uncategorized Raw Data (see Appendix).
This information was sorted, condensed and then grouped into several different categories as shown in
Table 3. Public Issues Categorized and Table 4. Hilo Bay Watershed Solutions Categorized (see
Appendix). It should be noted that these causes need further validation before concluding if, and to what

Source: Fox, 1995. http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mdbp/pdf/turbidity/chap_07.pdf

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

THE PROBLEM TREE?

This tool assists in analyzing an existing
situation by identifying the major problems and
their main causal relationships. The output is a
graphical arrangement of problems
differentiated according to ?causes? and
?effects,? joined by a core, or focal, problem.
This technique helps understand the context and
interrelationship of problems, and the potential
impacts when targeting projects and programs
toward specific issues.

Source:www.mit.edu/afs/athena/org/u/urbanupgrading/upgr
ading/issues-tools/tools/problem-tree.html (Internet)

extent they really are problems, which is why a formal, professional needs assessment is one of the
WAG?s key recommendations

This information along with other background information is being entered into a statewide database. The
intent is that local input be used to guide Federal and State legislation and regulations in the watershed,
and help prioritize restoration efforts and potential Federal restoration funds to improve Hilo Bay
Watershed groundwater, streams and bay water quality. This effort will hopefully lead to EPA and other
funding to develop and implement a restoration or management plan that addresses the identified
watershed problems. This process is depicted in Figure 3.

Figure 3. EPA Public Input and Restoration Plan Process

V. Public Input Analysis

A number of methods to prioritize and capture each
detailed public issue were tried, however the WAG
members felt they could not scientifically analyze the
information in a detailed manner. Therefore a
subcommittee was formed to evaluate the input. This
subcommittee developed a diagram of the input using
the Problem Tree method described below and in
Diagram 1. Problem Tree Example (see Appendix).
The purpose of the diagramming exercise was to
validate the list, clarify the issues and their
interrelationships, and to match the potential solutions
with causes and/or effects, as appropriate.

The three subcommittee members (Peter Heffron, Janet
Taylor, and Mary James) reviewed each of the issues in
Table 5. Hilo Bay Public Input Synthesis. This table is a condensed version of the items on tables 3 and 4
whereby the issues have been consolidated and duplicate issues combined. Each issue was put on a
separate ?Post It? note and then stuck on a large piece of poster paper, with ?causes? being located above
the problem statement and ?effects? located below the problem statement. The problem statement, as
identified by DOH is ?Hilo Bay water quality does not meet standards.? The outcome of the Problem Tree

Gather Public

Issues and

Solutions

Public Input

Report

Restoration Plan

Development

Projects

Water Quality

Meets Standards

Background File

DOH Identifies

Waters Not

Meeting Water

Quality Standards

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

analysis for the issues is illustrated in Diagram 2. Problems-Causes-Effects of the Public Input Report
(see Appendix) and was presented to and approved by the WAG on February 11, 2004.

This grouping resulted in the following causal categories:
A. Watershed Management (or lack there of) that includes causes such as inadequate policies,

communications, and information.

B. Human-Made/Influenced that includes causes such as cesspools, illegal dumping, deforestation.
C. Natural that includes causes such as rainfall, geology, topography.

Per the public and WAG input, the primary causes of poor water quality in the Hilo Bay watershed are
water pollution and resource degradation,

which are in turn caused by excessive turbidity/sedimentation,

pathogens, chemicals, and solid waste that affect the watershed?s air, soils, surface waters, aquifers, and
Hilo Bay itself. These latter causes are influenced by the implementation of federal, State, and County
laws, policies, plans, zoning; and the actions of households, businesses, government, and other entities
that positively or negatively impact the watershed.

Proposed solutions were then synthesized using a similar process resulting in the creation of Diagram 3.
Solutions (see Appendix). This was also approved by the WAG.

The WAG concluded that the watershed management-related issues were the highest priority since
members believe a comprehensive strategy and management plan, including background information,
needs to be in place in order for there to be a clear understanding of the issues/problems and what should
be done to solve them.

V. Conclusions

Figure 4 combines and simplifies Diagrams 2 and 3. It illustrates the relationship of Hilo Bay watershed
problems, solutions and the health of the Hilo Bay watershed as well as the WAG?s priorities with respect
to addressing the issues. Hilo Bay health (water quality) is influenced by both problems and solutions,
which are in turn influenced by three primary activities: watershed management, human activities, and
natural factors.

Some steps that can be taken to address these three priorities are:

? Priority 1, Watershed Management: Develop a Watershed Management/Restoration Plan that includes

a review of current policies, data and communications that effect watershed conditions.

? Priority 2, Human Activities: Undertake a data retrieval/monitoring plan to better define human

induced/influenced impacts caused by activities such as cesspool usage, illegal dumping,
deforestation and improper land clearing and land management activities. Develop an information and
education campaign based upon gaps in community awareness and understanding of watershed
dynamics and management.

Per the Hawaii Watershed Project Scope of Work (Attachment to contract between the Hawaii Department of Health and the

University of Hawaii/Manoa: ?The respective Watershed Background Files shall identify the causes of water pollution and
resource degradation in the watershed, identify actions stakeholders can take in order to correct the problems, and list milestones
that could be used to measure the progress of restoration actions.? p 1.

Hilo Bay Watershed Project Public Input
Final Report
May 2004

Priority 3, Natural Factors: Determine background/natural water quality impacts caused by climate,
geology, topography and ecosystem characteristics.

The conclusions of this process were presented to and approved by the WAG in its scheduled meeting on
February 25, 2004 and are:

1. There are many unknowns regarding the Hilo Bay watershed?s problems and potential solutions.
2. A formal, professional needs assessment/problem analysis should be conducted.
3. All the stakeholders (the community, landowners, and County, State, and federal agencies) should

be involved.

4. The Hilo Bay WAG/Public Input process has been of significant value:

a. There is a better understanding of what we - the stakeholders- do know and, mostly, do

not know about the Hilo Bay watershed

b. It is clear we need to work together at all levels to identify and prioritize the Hilo Bay

watershed?s problems and solutions.

5. The first phase of any future project should focus on leadership, coordination, cooperation,

systematic information gathering and analysis, and community education.

Figure 4. Factors Influencing Hilo Bay Watershed Health and Their Prioritization

Watershed Management includes but is not limited to: policies, procedures, coordination and partnerships, monitoring,

information, funding, and communication including outreach, education cultural considerations, and community involvement.

Human

Impact

Solution

Priority 2

Human Activities

Problems

Priority 3

Natural Factors

Solutions

Hilo Bay Watershed

Health

Priority 1

Watershed

Management

See Diagram 2

See Diagram 1

Table 1. 2004 of Impaired Waters in Hawaii

Source: Public Comment Draft 2004 List of Impaired Waters in Hawaii; February 27, 2004; Hawaii State Department of Health

Pages 25 through 27

TABLE 5: 2004 303(d) List for Hawaii
? Newly listed waters are highlighted in the table, as are any changes to the parameters for previously listed waters.
? The ?Standard? column explains whether waters listed based on numeric assessments were found to violate numeric
water quality standards under wet and/or dry conditions. Estuaries do not have separate wet/dry standards and thus
state ?overall? values.
? For the purposes of this report, listed waterbodies were sorted by island, then into the streams category (salinity
chronically below 0.5 ppt) or the coastal category (above 0.5 ppt). The waterbodies were then sorted alphabetically.

HAWAII

STREAMS

Listed Waterbody Geographic Scope of Listing

Pollutant(s) Basis for Listing

Station
ID

Standard

Priority

Aamakao Stream

turbidity

numeric assessment 8-1-12

dry

Alenaio Stream

Alenaio
Stream

(Wailoa tributary)

nutrients

visual assessment

8-2-

(TMDL

61.01.1

process)

Hakalau Stream

nutrients

visual assessment

8-2-32

turbidity

Honolii Stream

nutrients
turbidity

visual assessment
numeric assessment

8-2-56

dry
dry

Kaieie Stream

nutrients

visual assessment

8-2-49

Kapeha Stream

turbidity

numeric assessment 8-2-37

dry

Kolekole Stream

nutrients
turbidity

visual assessment
numeric assessment

8-2-33

dry wet, dry M

Lalakea Stream

turbidity

numeric assessment 8-1-45

dry

Niulii Stream

turbidity

numeric assessment 8-1-13

dry

Waiakea Stream

Waiakea
Stream

(Wailoa tributary) nutrients

visual assessment

8-2-61

(TMDL in

process)

Waikama Stream

turbidity

numeric assessment 8-1-14

wet,
dry

Wailoa Stream River Wailoa Stream River

nutrients

visual assessment

8-2-61

turbidity

HAWAII (continued)

STREAMS

Listed Waterbody Geographic Scope of Listing

Pollutant(s) Basis for Listing

Station
ID

Standard

Priority

Wailoa/Waipio
Stream

Wailoa/Waipio Stream

nitrite/nitrate numeric assessment 8-1-44

dry

Wailuku Stream

nutrients

visual assessment

8-2-60

wet, dry

Wainaia Stream

turbidity

numeric assessment 8-1-09

wet

COASTAL

Listed Waterbody Geographic Scope of Listing

Pollutant(s) Basis for Listing

Station
ID

Standard

Priority

Hapuna Beach

Hapuna Beach station

chlorophyll a
turbidity

numeric assessment 001200 wet wet

Hilo Bay

Bay inshore of Breakwater and near nutrients

visual assessment,

shore waters from Wainaku to
Paukaa

turbidity

prior listing

Hilo Bay

Boat Landing station

chlorophyll a numeric assessment 001106 wet/dry

Hilo Bay

Canoe Beach station

enterococci
turbidity

numeric assessment 001138 wet

wet/dry

Hilo Bay

Exit of Ice Pond station

Total P
enterococci

numeric assessment 001102 wet/dry

wet

Hilo Bay

Lighthouse station

chlorophyll a
turbidity
enterococci

numeric assessment 001107 wet/dry

wet wet

Hilo Bay

Offshore station

chlorophyll a
turbidity
nitrite/nitrate
ammonium

numeric assessment 001141 wet/dry

dry
wet/dry
wet/dry

Hilo Bay

Honolii Cove station

enterococci
turbidity

numeric assessment 001110 wet/dry

wet/dry

HAWAII continued:

COASTAL (continued)

Listed Waterbody

Geographic Scope of Listing

Pollutant(s) Basis for Listing

Station
ID

Standard

Priority

Leleiwi Beach Park

Leleiwi Beach Park station

Total P
enterococci

numeric assessment 001121 Dry

wet/dry

Kailua Bay

Kailua Pier A-1 station

Total P

numeric assessment 001205 wet

Kawaihae Harbor/
Pelekane Bay

Kawaihae Harbor/ Pelekane Bay

turbidity

Kawaihae Harbor/
Pelekane Bay

Spencer Park Beach station

turbidity
chlorophyll a

numeric assessment 001225 wet wet

Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay
-station

off curio stand

turbidity

numeric assessment 001211 dry

Kolekole Beach

Kolekole Gulch station

enterococci
turbidity

numeric assessment 001118 wet/dry

wet/dry

Magic Sands Beach

Magic Sands Beach station

chlorophyll a
turbidity

numeric assessment 001215 wet/dry

dry

Pacific Ocean

Vacationland Station

turbidity

numeric assessment 1142

dry

Pualaa Beach Park

Pualaa Beach Park station

enterococci

numeric assessment 001143 dry

Puhi Bay

Puhi Bay #3 station

turbidity
chlorophyll a

numeric assessment 001130 dry

wet/dry

Richardson Ocean
Center

Richardson Ocean Center station

chlorophyll a
turbidity

numeric assessment 001136 wet/dry

dry

Wailoa River

Wailoa River Boat Ramp station

enterococci

numeric assessment 001132 wet/dry

Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized Raw Data)

ISSUE IDENTIFICATION

Morning Session 1/6/04

1. Breakwall holding in sediment and pollution
2. Cruise ships ? no laws regulating or monitoring ships
3. Sewage from septic systems and cesspools is getting into the watershed
4. Cattle polluting the water
5. Pigs, housing developments, etc. causing erosion
6. Illegal dumping
7. Overflow of Alenaio Canal
8. Old drainage project, (Kanoelehua) going into Wailoa River without adequate exit
9. Existing laws need to be enforced

Evening Session 1/6/04

10. Concerned with flooding effects on soccer fields

11. Channelization (mauka) causes some problems but solves others
12. Concerns about urbanization-pavement, stormwater, flooding, loss of vegetation from clearing lots

Morning Session 1/21/04

1. Cesspool failure. Can we build a fail-proof cesspool? Existing structures have been grandfathered in.
2. Fishponds, freshwater ponds are being overgrown with mangrove and other grasses.
3. More sediment in Wailuku River during heavy rainfalls from higher elevation. ?Mud comes down Wiluku

River with heavy mauka rainfall but not makai rainfall.?

4. There seems to be a whale/sedimentation interaction. Needs to be investigated.
5. Feral pigs contribute to erosion.
6. More communication is needed within the community. Identify relevant people within the community.
7. More publicity on watershed issues is needed.
8. Studies comparing pesticide/herbicide usage in various groups (is needed). Pesticide and herbicide usage

studies are needed for land use planning.

9. Homeowners and government workers need education on pesticide use or regulation.
10. Government has no plan for erosion or sedimentation (control).
11. Golf courses add chemicals and excess nutrients to the watershed including groundwater.
12. Cruise ships are polluting the bay.
13. Breakwater impairs circulation.
14. More coordination is needed with other groups including State, County, community associations
15. There are existing hot spots in the bay that need to be addresses (old artillery bombs, kane waste products).
16. There is a lot of trash on the beaches. There should be a clean up program such as ?Adopt-a-Beach? and

should put garbage cans on the beaches.

Evening Session 1/21/04

17. Pathogens from untreated sewage (cesspools).
18. Attitude about trash and litter.
19. (Need to) distinguish watershed (problems); there is a lack of water quality monitoring at different elevations.
20. Impact of land cover types; loss of undeveloped land.
21. (There is a) lack of land use plans that are sensitive to reforestation.
22. (There is a) lack of monitoring feral animals and plant species.
23. (There is a) lack of understanding of how the system works.
24. Flood hazards increase with paving.
25. A study is needed (that includes) computational fluid dynamics (to understand how to) improve the bay flow.
26. High density development in flood zones (Komohana, Puainako).
27. Bay not swimmable?
28. Need more bayside amenities ? for recreation.
29. Tap water is not clean.

Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized Raw Data)

January 27, 2004

Page 2 of 8

30. Leptosporosis in streams and water.
31. Need to address problem of nutrients in Hilo Bay.
32. State and County need to maintain storm drains.
33. The bay is for recreation (but) is not inviting.
34. The breakwall is not allowing circulation.
35. Plantations are out of business and new landowners may not be practicing erosion control.
36. Arsenic is in Wailoa ponds and the bay.
37. Dredging in the 90s dredged up arsenic.
38. Which entity is responsible for land use planning?
39. Endangered species in upper forest.
40. Sediments coming from the upper (area).
41. Pollutants coming from urban (sources).

Morning Session 7/1/03

1. Turbidity in Bay can?t see bottom
2. Disposal of oil in storm drains etc. how can we ensure oil is recycled and not dumped? Better

publicity for safe disposal options?

3. Nutrients and pathogens from cesspools in coastal areas

4. Bay circulation is degraded by breakwater, it doesn?t flush as efficiently
5. High waves over breakwater causes re-suspension of sediments in the bay

6. Is there a list of airborne pollutants/emissions from industry etc? Some of that must be re-

deposited/rained out in watershed.

7. Increase of cruise ship traffic increases trash and sewage in bay
8. Coal ash disposal in watershed

9. Reasonable standards needed for water quality to make sure we don?t put

10. farmers (e.g. Hamakua) out of business
11. Hilo?s location just downstream of the high rainfall zone and its position in the landscape make it

particularly vulnerable to runoff and sediment inputs.

12. In the Waianuenue area rain/runoff go into septic tanks, causing them to overflow

13. Oil on streets runs off into streams. Also problems with discarded batteries (cadmium), and termite chemicals

which get into the watershed.

14. Fishermen discarding offal into by may be attracting sharks.

15. We need to adequately address Hilo flooding problems
16. Fuel storage tanks located in Tsunami inundation area. Seems like an invitation to disaster. Do

these leak into groundwater?

17. Hilo dump is unlined. What is it leaching into the groundwater/watershed?
18. Is the quality and condition of stream corridors affected by agricultural practices?
19. We need good baseline data on marine organisms. How do we know whether populations are

increasing or decreasing when we don?t have good baseline data?

20. Anchialine ponds are degraded in many areas. Could condition of ponds be

an indicator of degradation of water quality in groundwater feeding ponds?

21. River water quality is an issue
22.

How do we increase fish populations? Lots of other parts of marine community seem to be in pretty good
shape, but fish definitely not as abundant as they used to be

23.

Leptospirosis is a problem do we need better rat control to reduce lepto?

24.

Water effluent above King?s landing goes into the bay. Although it is outside the watershed it can get into
the bay.

25.

The conservation land and reserves marked on the maps are not all reserves. Some are used economically,
eg: to graze livestock. Sub zones should be marked on the map to differentiate these areas.

26.

There may be persistent organic pesticides in the sediment runoff

Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized Raw Data)

January 27, 2004

Page 3 of 8

27.

Hilo bay also had problems with heavy metals, Nitrates, Nitrites as well as turbidity. Why weren?t those
listed?

28. Wailoa pond was not declared a superfund clean-up site because the arsenic from the old canic (sp?) plant is

stable in the clay soil. It sticks to clay and stays stable unless the sediment is stirred up.

29. DOH takes samples to monitor water quality in the bay all the time.

Evening Session 7/1/03

30. What are the remaining impacts of severe floods on the bay

31. How do stream modifications such as channelization affect the streams eccosystem
32. Nene street sewer line needs to be completed. (Homes near bay)

33. What is the impact of yard waste that is dumped in streams and along the banks of streams and canals, effect

34.

stream flow. There is increased flooding due to blockages from yard waste in the streams.

35.

Soaps and shampoos being used at beach parks

36.

Sun-screen could pollute the waters

37.

Helping the natural recovery cycle of the watershed

38.

The impacts of sewage, storm drains and runoff

39. The breakwater is altering water movement and patterns. How can we improve and increase the circulation

40.

of water in the bay.

41.

Trash is disposed in streams

42.

Are local regulatory bodies and agencies upgrading their best management practices

43.

Is mercury a problem in fish and shellfish (crabs)

44. Is the arsenic sediment in Wailoa pond getting into the food chain

45. The impact of pollution on fish and invertebrates in the streams. Are they over stressed?
46. Is this project interfaced with county government

47. What are the impacts of stream channel engineering and what future projects are there
48. Are Federal agencies listening to local experts and residents
49. The flood zone designations are wrong and need to be redrawn
50. Unknown and unrecorded streams and episodic streams are flood hazards
51. What are the impacts of Waikea stream diversion work, on the land below the diversion
52.

How is watershed defined considering the porous substrate and water following various

paths

underground, and springs popping up during storms. In other words pollutants from other
areas could cross the natural surface boundaries.

53. Cruise ship impacts on the bay
54. Dumping in lava tubes including, Kaumana cave, effect water quality
55. Resident habitual disposal practices need to be changed
56. County needs to do refuge pick-up
57. Bottles are disposed from cars because of ?open vessel? laws and habitual practices

Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized Raw Data)

January 27, 2004

Page 4 of 8

Write-ins

1. Cultural issues may not have been taken into consideration, particularly when discussing flood control.
2. Breakwater is cause of dirty water in bay.
3. Bay should be used more for recreation.
4. Runoff is ruining our bay.
5. Improve Bay Front soccer fields.
6. Flooding and runoff
7. Need access to the bay for recreational use.
8. Roy Takemoto, County Planning:

a. Sedimentation from non point sources
b. Cesspool leachate from unsewered coastal areas
c. Flood control ? structural and non structural measures to reduce downstream impacts
d. Data needs to clearly identify the water quality problems:

-Receiving water:

(1) identify receiving waters within the scope of the project-just Hilo Bay, or other segments of
near-shore waters such as Keaukaha and Honolii.
(2) characteristics of the receiving waters ?extent of mixing to flush pollutants (protected vs. open

coastal); benthic conditions (e.g., coral, rocky, etc.) as indicators of sensitivity to pollutants or ectent
of past impacts requiring restoration.

(3) Users-water contact uses more sensitive to certain pollutants than say fishing.
(4) Drainage basins-identify drainage basins based on receiving waters of concern

-Water quality data: identify pollutants in order to understand potential sources
-Pathways-hydrologic models to understand extent of rainfall runoff that flows into the receiving
waters from streams vs. groundwater, pathways of groundwater flow.
-Land uses within drainage basins of concern-land uses classified by potential pollutant generation
(see Write-in Solutions #8 for list of data available from Planning Department)

9. David Kimo Frankel: DOH study shows Waiakea Pond is contaminated with arsenic at exceedingly

high levels. Has seen toddlers walking in the pond and fishermen catching fish there.

10. Deborah Ward (see correspondence 1/20/04 for details):

Concerned about water resources on Mauna Kea: hazardous materials released from observatory/telescope-
related activities; observatory sewage systems

11. Professor called in with proposed research project: The objective of the project is to understand the system on

the Hamakua side of Wailuku River. There are a lot of sub basin tributaries. Proposal is to run paired
catchment studies, i.e., find small watersheds of equal area and geology, for example one forested and one in
pasture. Study runoff and water sediment and pollutants from the two different land types. There are many
possible pairs.

12. Ululani Sherlock regarding Puna Community Trails Council. (punatrail.htm) (see document)

Surveys
1. It would be nice to know where (and who) the most beneficial place is to give concerns to. Water education

should be a larger priority!!!!! Keep asking for community help, there are a lot of people concerned about this
issue. Assume the people care. No one knows where to go!

2. The issue that concerns me about the watershed is we don?t know that much about it, (i.e., land cover, nutrient,

sediment, pesticide, pathogen sources) so how can we develop a restoration plan. More information about the
watershed is needed before planning can take place (research dollars).

3. There seems to be a major disconnect with agencies that manage at least half of the watershed area you are

working on. There are many working watershed groups working throughout the State and I have not seen them
mentioned at all. Plans are great, but funding is always a major problem and should be addressed more actively.
The plan does nothing without monies to make it happen. DHHL rep ? good point on needing contact with
community associations that would have reached far more people connected with the area of concern. Should
have contacted agencies connected with watersheds to speed up process of identifying problems or at least
validating communities concerns, eg. pesticide use ? agencies may have stats on these kind of issues

4. I heard that the Army buried a lot of toxic waste along Flume Road after WWII. If it?s true, maybe Super Fund

Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized Raw Data)

January 27, 2004

Page 5 of 8

could be tapped to clean it up.

SOLUTIONS

Morning Session 1/6/04

1. Open section of breakwall.
2. Require monitoring and regulating cruise ships
3. Build ponds using bioremediation to clean wastewater (cattle).
4. Composing toilets
5. Straighten canal so discharge straight to the ocean.
6. Use curtain system and recycle water (drainage going into Wauloa River)
7. Better enforcement of existing laws.

Evening Session 1/6/04

8. Coordinate efforts (flooding effects on soccer fields).
9. Use lava tubes as conduits (flooding effects on soccer fields).
10. Regarding urbanization: Use zoning and land use planning. Need to involve Stae and County. Purchase

watershed land for catchment basins, more vegetation cover.

Morning Session 1/21/04

1. WAG should use seed money to start a financial self-perpetuating project to provide funds to implement

improvement projects.

2. Education programs and community awareness is needed.
3. Should consider individual household treatment systems.
4. (The watershed program/project should be) published on the T.V. show Living in Paradise
5. Restrict uses in watersheds.
6. Start an ?Adopt-a-Beach? program.
7. Put garbage cans on beaches.
8. Open up more access to hunters and implement an education program.
9. Have regular contact with groups in the watershed.

Evening Session 1/21/04

1. Poke holes in the breakwater
2. Put more trash cans in the downtown area (beaches).
3. Develop an Adopt-a-Beach program.
4. Use the media shock value to arouse the public (action) with such issues as ?stool, leptosporosis, and

arsenic?

5. Hook up more houses to the sewer system.
6. Get County to follow their own agreement regarding sewer hookups.
7. Get data and background data (water quality, pathogens, etc.).
8. Bring in NRCS ??? wateshed protection plans under PL 566.
9. Get the Corps of Engineers involved.
10. (Make a) scale model of Hilo Bay (so that you can) change parameters to measure effects.
11. Educate the children (Stream Day).
12. (Need) more community programs (Get the Drift & Bag It)
13. Continue WAG and other community (action groups).
14. Continue dialogue and discussion in public form: radio, T.V., letters.
15. In the forest and lands bring land owners together (urban areas, County & Planning, State & private

landowners in upper)

16. Involve NRCS in developing conservation practices.

Morning Session 7/1/03

1. Have separated trash, etcetera pickup by garbage company, to facilitate recycling
2. Expansion of sewer system to Nene St to eliminate sewage release to Bay
3. Make breaks in breakwater to improve circulation in Bay
4. A project to divert Kaumana runoff from Wailuku river to reduce erosion would run $6 million.

Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized Raw Data)

January 27, 2004

Page 6 of 8

5. Make sediment runoff control
6. Get EPA grants to fund cleanup projects
7. Increase runoff-holding ponds to reduce sediment/water discharge to Bay
8. Hilo area groundwater is very high quality and high flow, provides natural dilution of groundwater

contaminants like leachate from dump

9. We need BMPs to dispose of wastes
10. Cover crops, tree crops, NRCS recommendations to filter sediments, nutrients
11. Build check dams to enhance percolation of runoff
12. Build check dams to enhance percolation of runoff
13. Native forest protection
14. Increase shoreline cleanup activities and to get community participation
15. Use community-planning approach to guide development
16. Make sure that Planning Department incorporates watershed awareness

Evening Session 7/1/03

17. Improve water circulation in Hilo Bay (break water removal, alteration?)
18. Enforcement of dumping regulations
19. Community education on dumping impacts
20. Provide alternatives to dumping
21. Get county involved (Peter B, waste water & Pat Engelhart)
22. Project should interface with DOE teachers and Environmental programs
23. Make disposal of toxic wastes easier
24. Have community service days and involved charter schools
25. Have collection containers for bottles
26. Assess and measure materials entering watershed
27. Need assessment of fecal coliform sources
28. Need assessment of fecal coliform sources
29. Impacts of homeless people and squatters on beaches
30. Tell residents on Wailuku rivers where their sewage goes
31. DOH lacks the manpower to test leakage from private residences
32. Get a sewer system for lower Kaumana
33. Reverse leptospirosis contamination if possible
34. Learn if leptospirosis increasing, the vectors are increasing, and is it an acceptable risk
35. What are the effects of soil fumigants

Write-ins

1. WAG members should be aware of cultural issues before decision-making. Have a Hawaiian cultural leader

on WAG.

2. Make hole in breakwater to facilitate flushing.
3. Bay should be turned into a beautiful beach, can use for jet skiing.
4. Divert runoff to Kona by a cheapie culvert system.
5. Develop a grant proposal.
6. Both State and County should clean storm drains regularly.
7. Remove fence on Bay Front. Install more facilities: tables, trash bins, etc.
8. Roy Takemoto: They are willing to participate in whatever they can assist with. Data available from Planning

Department (GIS):

(a) perennial streams; (b) drainage basins; (c) tax parcel maps (area, TMK, owner, etc.); (d) roads;
(e) USGS raster map; (f) aerial photos; (g) DLNR, DOH aquifer classifications; (h) zoning, General
Plan, State Land Use designations; (i) others.

Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized Raw Data)

January 27, 2004

Page 7 of 8

9. David Kimo Frankel: Clean up Waiakea Pond.

10. Professor called in with proposed research project: The objective of the project is to understand the system on

Surveys

1. Legislation for Clean Water regulations.
2. Try to reduce some of the agents that add to these problems within their own household.
Educate others of the problem and encourage them to so the same. Get radio stations/
advertising agencies involved as well.
3. Manage invasive species; learn about ecosystem linkages to different elevations/climates and the role of soil

and biota in affecting water flow (throughfall, erosion, uptake). Bring in ahupua?a concept as a PR
campaign.

4. Should make more fish farms which makes more fish and organization in Hilo Bay; put up more trash boxes
5. Put more trash (cans) near rivers; educate children.
6. Need monitoring programs to develop target areas in watershed (where?s the problem). Land cover in

watershed.

7. (1)Get accurate info on number, distribution of cesspool, sewer, septic. The head of the Hilo wastewater

treatment plant told me he doesn?t know how many houses were hooked up to the sewer. (2)Re-examine
plans to put a hole in the breakwater to improve circulation. (3) We need more quality data for groundwater,
streams and ocean. (4) Incentive for erosion control on construction sites. (5) Incentives to include adequate
previous area in new development and avoid paving. (6) Investigate vegetative barrier to filter runoff before it
reaches bay and streams. (7) There is very little stream flow data for doing flood planning.

8. Get monies to do the projects.
9. Learn to use pesticides and herbicides effectively. Dispose of toxic waste (oil from cars, coolant, etc.) safely.

SURVEYS

Surveys included a list of potential concerns for participants to check off if he/she felt is was a concern of his/hers. This
table summarizes the results. Each letter under ?Person? represents one participant?s input, that is, there were eleven
people that completed this survey.

Issue Person

a b c

d e f g

i j k Tot

(a) excess sediment

(b) excess nutrients

(c)

erosion

1 1 1 1 4

(d) overuse of pesticide/fertilizers

(e) stream/native species habitat degradation

(f) algae/aquatic plant overgrowth

(g) contamination of groundwater

(h) debris/garbage (in-stream or illegal

dumping)

1 1 1 3

(i) excessive or illegal diversion

(j) cesspool failures

(k) excessive agriculture runoff

(l) urban runoff

(m) improper use of storm drains

(n) other

***

- ?c?, ?g?, ?i? ?j?, and ?k? made comments on the issues (see Survey Section above)

- ?g? marked areas of interest

***

- ?As? means arsenic

Table 2. Hilo Bay Watershed Issues and Solutions (Uncategorized Raw Data)

January 27, 2004

Page 8 of 8

July 1, 2003 Expectations
Morning Session:

1. An Informational meeting and to touch base with members
2. Finding something useful to do
3. Just want to listen
4. Want clean water for swimming
5. Getting a start in assigning land values
6. Expressing Soil & Water Conservation District concerns, over 400 cooperators, and understanding what needs to

be done

7. Saving anchialine ponds
8. Interested in canoe paddling and Sierra Club involvement
9. Want a community effort to improve water quality
10. Because of ocean overuse and pollution there is a need for cleaning up Hilo Bay beaches
11. Leleiwi drains into beach area
12. An active community participation, involvement
13. Improved water quality in Hilo Bay
14. Want it noted that Richardson?s Beach is over used, fish depletion, etc.
15. Want to know what has been done in Hilo Bay area
16. Want to clean up bay
17. Want to provide information to the group
18. Want to know the reasons for what?s happening in the water
19. Pollution concerns. The County is behind in addressing this area
20. Want to see more use out of Bay
21. Swimmers are concerned with water quality, interested in helping out
22. Want to help

Evening Session 7/1/03:

1. Identify problem areas
2. Address sewage from beach parks and facilities that gets into the ocean.
3. Satisfying curiosity
4. Want to know about the water quality effects on fish life in the Lileiwi area
5. Hearing views of others
6. To understand the projects scope
7. Want students involved with water testing (environmental studies)
8. Understanding increases and decreases of e-Coli at Onekaakaa park

MSJ: complete3meetings+surveyinput 012704: 1/27/04

Table 3.

Hilo Bay Issues Categorized

Category

Subcategory

Issue

Identification

Morning Session 1/6/04

Sed,pol 1. Breakwall holding in sediment and pollution

WQ L&P

Path, chem.

2. Cruise ships ? no laws regulating or monitoring ships

Path 3. Sewage from septic systems and cesspools is getting into the watershed

Path 4. Cattle polluting the water

sed 5. Pigs, housing developments, etc. causing erosion

chem 6. Illegal dumping

flood 7. Overflow of Alenaio Canal

flood 8. Old drainage project, (Kanoelehua) going into Wailoa River without

adequate exit

L&P

enf 9. Existing laws need to be enforced

Evening Session 1/6/04

WV Rec

Flood 10. Concerned with flooding effects on soccer fields

Flood 11. Channelization (mauka) causes some problems but solves others

WV WQ

Flood
ero

12. Concerns about urbanization-pavement, stormwater, flooding, loss of

vegetation from clearing lots

Morning Session 1/21/04

Path 1. Cesspool failure. Can we build a fail-proof cesspool? Existing structures have

been grandfathered in.

Bio

overgrw 2. Fishponds, freshwater ponds are being overgrown with mangrove and other

grasses.

sed 3. More sediment in Wailuku River during heavy rainfalls from higher

elevation. ?Mud comes down Wiluku River with heavy mauka rainfall but not
makai rainfall.?

sed 4. There seems to be a whale/sedimentation interaction. Needs to be

investigated.

ero 5. Feral pigs contribute to erosion.

Com

com 6. More communication is needed within the community. Identify relevant

people within the community.

Com

Com, edu

7. More publicity on watershed issues is needed.

Inf

Stud 8. Studies comparing pesticide/herbicide usage in various groups (is needed).

Pesticide and herbicide usage studies are needed for land use planning.

Com

Edu 9. Homeowners and government workers need education on pesticide use or

Catagories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

= water quality (sediment, erosion, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, chemicals, metals,
toxics, drinking water, groundwater, trash, pollutants, circulation, etc.)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com

= communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 3. Hilo Bay Issues Categorized

Page 2 of 5

regulation.

L&P

10. Government has no plan for erosion or sedimentation (control).

Nutr, chem.

11. Golf courses add chemicals and excess nutrients to the watershed including

groundwater.

Path, chem.

12. Cruise ships are polluting the bay.

cir 13. Breakwater impairs circulation.

Com

Coord 14. More coordination is needed with other groups including State, County,

community associations

Chem. 15. There are existing hot spots in the bay that need to be addresses (old artillery

bombs, kane waste products).

trash 16. There is a lot of trash on the beaches. There should be a clean up program

such as ?Adopt-a-Beach? and should put garbage cans on the beaches.

Evening Session 1/21/04

path 17. Pathogens from untreated sewage (cesspools).

Trash 18. Attitude about trash and litter.

Inf

WQ data

19. (Need to) distinguish watershed (problems); there is a lack of water quality

monitoring at different elevations.

Ero, 20. Impact of land cover types; loss of undeveloped land.

L&P

21. (There is a) lack of land use plans that are sensitive to reforestation.

Inf

Monitor 22. (There is a) lack of monitoring feral animals and plant species.

Inf

23. (There is a) lack of understanding of how the system works.

flood 24. Flood hazards increase with paving.

Inf

Study 25. A study is needed (that includes) computational fluid dynamics (to

understand how to) improve the bay flow.

WV
L&P

Flood 26. High density development in flood zones (Komohana, Puainako).

Rec

27. Bay not swimmable?

Rec

28. Need more bayside amenities ? for recreation.

Drk Wtr

29. Tap water is not clean.

Path 30. Leptosporosis in streams and water.

Nutr 31. Need to address problem of nutrients in Hilo Bay.

L&P

Maint. 32. State and County need to maintain storm drains.

Rec

33. The bay is for recreation (but) is not inviting.

Circ 34. The breakwall is not allowing circulation.

WQ Com

Ero
Edu

35. Plantations are out of business and new landowners may not be practicing

erosion control.

Catagories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

= water quality (sediment, erosion, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, chemicals, metals,
toxics, drinking water, groundwater, trash, pollutants, circulation, etc.)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com

= communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 3. Hilo Bay Issues Categorized

Page 3 of 5

Chem. 36. Arsenic is in Wailoa ponds and the bay.

Chem. 37. Dredging in the 90s dredged up arsenic.

L&P

Enfor 38. Which entity is responsible for land use planning?

Bio

39. Endangered species in upper forest.

Sed 40. Sediments coming from the upper (area).

41. Pollutants coming from urban (sources).

Write-ins

Com

Cultural 1. Cultural issues may not have been taken into consideration, particularly when

discussing flood control.

Circ 2. Breakwater is cause of dirty water in bay.

Rec

3. Bay should be used more for recreation.

runoff 4. Runoff is ruining our bay.

Rec

soccer 5. Improve Bay Front soccer fields.

WV
WQ

Flood
runoff

6. Flooding and runoff

Rec

7. Need access to the bay for recreational use.

Catagories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com

= communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 3. Hilo Bay Issues Categorized

Page 4 of 5

WV
Inf

L&P

Sed, path,

Flood
Data, studies

Land use

8. Roy Takemoto, County Planning:

a. Sedimentation from non point sources
b. Cesspool leachate from unsewered coastal areas
c. Flood control ? structural and non structural measures to reduce
downstream impacts
d. Data needs to clearly identify the water quality problems:

-Receiving water:

(1) identify receiving waters within the scope of the project-just Hilo

Bay, or other segments of

near-shore waters such as Keaukaha and Honolii.
(2) characteristics of the receiving waters ?extent of mixing to flush

pollutants (protected vs. open coastal); benthic conditions (e.g., coral,
rocky, etc.) as indicators of sensitivity to pollutants or ectent of past
impacts requiring restoration.

(3) Users-water contact uses more sensitive to certain pollutants than say

fishing.

(4) Drainage basins-identify drainage basins based on receiving waters

of concern

-Water quality data: identify pollutants in order to understand potential
sources
-Pathways-hydrologic models to understand extent of rainfall runoff that
flows into the receiving
waters from streams vs. groundwater, pathways of groundwater flow.
-Land uses within drainage basins of concern-land uses classified by
potential pollutant generation
(see Write-in Solutions #8 for list of data available from Planning
Department)

Metals 9. David Kimo Frankel: DOH study shows Waiakea Pond is contaminated with

arsenic at exceedingly

high levels. Has seen toddlers walking in the pond and fishermen catching
fish there.

DW 10. Deborah Ward (see correspondence 1/20/04 for details):

Concerned about water resources on Mauna Kea: hazardous materials
released from observatory/telescope-related activities; observatory sewage
systems

Inf

study 11. Professor called in with proposed research project: The objective of the

project is to understand the system on the Hamakua side of Wailuku River.

Catagories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

= water quality (sediment, erosion, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, chemicals, metals,
toxics, drinking water, groundwater, trash, pollutants, circulation, etc.)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com

= communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 3. Hilo Bay Issues Categorized

Page 5 of 5

There are a lot of sub basin tributaries. Proposal is to run paired catchment
studies, i.e., find small watersheds of equal area and geology, for example
one forested and one in pasture. Study runoff and water sediment and
pollutants from the two different land types. There are many possible pairs.

Com

Cultural 12. Ululani Sherlock regarding Puna Community Trails Council. (punatrail.htm)

(see document)

Surveys

Com

Com, edu

13. It would be nice to know where (and who) the most beneficial place is to give

concerns to. Water education should be a larger priority!!!!! Keep asking for
community help, there are a lot of people concerned about this issue. Assume
the people care. No one knows where to go!

Inf

Lack of

14. The issue that concerns me about the watershed is we don?t know that much

about it, (i.e., land cover, nutrient, sediment, pesticide, pathogen sources) so
how can we develop a restoration plan. More information about the
watershed is needed before planning can take place (research dollars).

Com

Coord, edu

15. There seems to be a major disconnect with agencies that manage at least half

of the watershed area you are working on. There are many working
watershed groups working throughout the State and I have not seen them
mentioned at all. Plans are great, but funding is always a major problem and
should be addressed more actively. The plan does nothing without monies to
make it happen. DHHL rep ? good point on needing contact with community
associations that would have reached far more people connected with the area
of concern. Should have contacted agencies connected with watersheds to
speed up process of identifying problems or at least validating communities
concerns, eg. pesticide use ? agencies may have stats on these kind of issues

chem 16. I heard that the Army buried a lot of toxic waste along Flume Road after

WWII. If it?s true, maybe Super Fund could be tapped to clean it up.

Catagories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

= water quality (sediment, erosion, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, chemicals, metals,
toxics, drinking water, groundwater, trash, pollutants, circulation, etc.)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com

= communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 4.

Hilo Bay Watershed Solutions Categorized

Morning Session 1/6/04

1. Open section of breakwall.

L&P

2. Require monitoring and regulating cruise ships

3. Build ponds using bioremediation to clean wastewater (cattle).

4. Composing toilets

WQ
WV

5. Straighten canal so discharge straight to the ocean.

6. Use curtain system and recycle water (drainage going into Wailoa River)

L&P

7. Better enforcement of existing laws.

Evening Session 1/6/04

Com
WV

8. Coordinate efforts (flooding effects on soccer fields).

9. Use lava tubes as conduits (flooding effects on soccer fields).

WV
WQ
L&P

10. Regarding urbanization: Use zoning and land use planning. Need to involve State and County.

Purchase watershed land for catchment basins, more vegetation cover.

Morning Session 1/21/04

Com

1. WAG should use seed money to start a financial self-perpetuating project to provide funds to

implement improvement projects.

Com

2. Education programs and community awareness is needed.

3. Should consider individual household treatment systems.

Com

4. (The watershed program/project should be) published on the T.V. show Living in Paradise

Com
L&P

5. Restrict uses in watersheds.

Com

6. Start an ?Adopt-a-Beach? program.

7. Put garbage cans on beaches.

Com
L&P

8. Open up more access to hunters and implement an education program.

Com

9. Have regular contact with groups in the watershed.

Evening Session 1/21/04

1. Poke holes in the breakwater

2. Put more trash cans in the downtown area (beaches).

Com

3. Develop an Adopt-a-Beach program.

Categories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

= water quality (sediment, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, chemicals, metals, toxics,
drinking water, groundwater, trash, pollutants, etc.)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota? (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com =

communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 4. Hilo Bay Watershed Solutions Categorized

Page 2 of 4

Com

4. Use the media shock value to arouse the public (action) with such issues as ?stool, leptosporosis, and

arsenic?

5. Hook up more houses to the sewer system.

Com
L&P

6. Get County to follow their own agreement regarding sewer hookups.

Inf

7. Get data and background data (water quality, pathogens, etc.).

Inf
L&P

8. Bring in NRCS ??? wateshed protection plans under PL 566.

Com

9. Get the Corps of Engineers involved.

Inf

10. (Make a) scale model of Hilo Bay (so that you can) change parameters to measure effects.

Com

11. Educate the children (Stream Day).

Com

12. (Need) more community programs (Get the Drift & Bag It)

Com

13. Continue WAG and other community (action groups).

Com

14. Continue dialogue and discussion in public form: radio, T.V., letters.

Com

15. In the forest and lands bring land owners together (urban areas, County & Planning, State & private

landowners in upper)

Com

16. Involve NRCS in developing conservation practices.

Morning Session 7/1/03

1. Have separated trash, etcetera pickup by garbage company, to facilitate recycling

2. Expansion of sewer system to Nene St to eliminate sewage release to Bay

3. Make breaks in breakwater to improve circulation in Bay

WQ
WV

4. A project to divert Kaumana runoff from Wailuku river to reduce erosion would run $6 million.

WQ
WV

5. Make sediment runoff control

Com

6. Get EPA grants to fund cleanup projects

7. Increase runoff-holding ponds to reduce sediment/water discharge to Bay

8. Hilo area groundwater is very high quality and high flow, provides natural dilution of groundwater

contaminants like leachate from dump

9. We need BMPs to dispose of wastes

10. Cover crops, tree crops, NRCS recommendations to filter sediments, nutrients

WQ
WV

11. Build check dams to enhance percolation of runoff

Bio

12. Native forest protection

Com

13. Increase shoreline cleanup activities and to get community participation

Com
L&P

14. Use community-planning approach to guide development

Com

15. Make sure that Planning Department incorporates watershed awareness

Categories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

= water quality (sediment, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, chemicals, metals, toxics,
drinking water, groundwater, trash, pollutants, etc.)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota? (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com =

communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 4. Hilo Bay Watershed Solutions Categorized

Page 3 of 4

Evening Session 7/1/03

16. Improve water circulation in Hilo Bay (break water removal, alteration?)

WQ
L&P

17. Enforcement of dumping regulations

Com

18. Community education on dumping impacts

Com
WQ

19. Provide alternatives to dumping

Com

20. Get county involved (Peter B, waste water & Pat Engelhart)

Com

21. Project should interface with DOE teachers and Environmental programs

22. Make disposal of toxic wastes easier

Com
WQ

23. Have community service days and involved charter schools

WQ
Com

24. Have collection containers for bottles

Inf

25. Assess and measure materials entering watershed

Inf

26. Need assessment of fecal coliform sources

Inf

27. Impacts of homeless people and squatters on beaches

Com

28. Tell residents on Wailuku rivers where their sewage goes

WQ
Com

29. DOH lacks the manpower to test leakage from private residences

30. Get a sewer system for lower Kaumana

31. Reverse leptospirosis contamination if possible

Inf

32. Learn if leptospirosis increasing, the vectors are increasing, and is it an acceptable risk

Inf
WQ

33. What are the effects of soil fumigants

Write-ins
Com

1. WAG members should be aware of cultural issues before decision-making. Have a Hawaiian cultural

leader on WAG.

2. Make hole in breakwater to facilitate flushing.

Rec

3. Bay should be turned into a beautiful beach, can use for jet skiing.

4. Divert runoff to Kona by a cheapie culvert system.

Com

5. Develop a grant proposal.

WQ
L&P

6. Both State and County should clean storm drains regularly.

Com
WQ

7. Remove fence on Bay Front. Install more facilities: tables, trash bins, etc.

Inf

8. Roy Takemoto of County Planning Department: They are willing to participate in whatever they can

assist with. Data available from (GIS): (a) perennial streams; (b) drainage basins; (c) tax parcel maps

Categories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

= water quality (sediment, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, chemicals, metals, toxics,
drinking water, groundwater, trash, pollutants, etc.)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota? (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com =

communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 4. Hilo Bay Watershed Solutions Categorized

Page 4 of 4

(area, TMK, owner, etc.); (d) roads; (e) USGS raster map; (f) aerial photos; (g) DLNR, DOH aquifer
classifications; (h) zoning, General Plan, State Land Use designations; (i) others.

9. David Kimo Frankel: Clean up Waiakea Pond.

Inf

10. Professor called in with proposed research project: The objective of the project is to understand the

system on the Hamakua side of Wailuku River. There are a lot of sub basin tributaries. Proposal is to
run paired catchment studies, i.e., find small watersheds of equal area and geology, for example one
forested and one in pasture. Study runoff and water sediment and pollutants from the two different
land types. There are many possible pairs.

Surveys
L&P

11. Legislation for Clean Water regulations.

WQ
Com

12. Try to reduce some of the agents that add to these problems within their own household.
Educate others of the problem and encourage them to so the same. Get radio stations/
advertising agencies involved as well.

Bio
Inf
Com

13. Manage invasive species; learn about ecosystem linkages to different elevations/climates and the role

of soil and biota in affecting water flow (throughfall, erosion, uptake). Bring in ahupua?a concept as a
PR campaign.

Bio
WQ

14. Should make more fish farms which makes more fish and organization in Hilo Bay; put up more trash

boxes

WQ
Com

15. Put more trash (cans) near rivers; educate children.

Inf

16. Need monitoring programs to develop target areas in watershed (where?s the problem). Land cover in

watershed.

Inf

WQ
Inf
L&P
L&P
Inf
Inf

17. (1)Get accurate info on number, distribution of cesspool, sewer, septic. The head of the Hilo

wastewater treatment plant told me he doesn?t know how many houses were hooked up to the sewer.

(2)Re-examine plans to put a hole in the breakwater to improve circulation.
(3) We need more quality data for groundwater, streams and ocean.
(4) Incentive for erosion control on construction sites.
(5) Incentives to include adequate previous area in new development and avoid paving.
(6) Investigate vegetative barrier to filter runoff before it reaches bay and streams.
(7) There is very little stream flow data for doing flood planning.

Com

18. Get monies to do the projects.

Com
WQ

19. Learn to use pesticides and herbicides effectively. Dispose of toxic waste (oil from cars, coolant, etc.)

safely.

List of Solutions 012804

Categories

= water volume (flooding, runoff, etc)

= water quality (sediment, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, chemicals, metals, toxics,
drinking water, groundwater, trash, pollutants, etc.)

L&P =

laws & policies (making and enforcing L&P such as zoning, land use planning, BMPs, cruise ships,

etc)

Bio

= biota? (endangered/ native species of plants/ animals, fishery, habitat, overgrowth, etc.)

Com =

communication (outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds,

etc.)

Rec

= recreation (swimming, surfing, soccer, etc.)

Inf

= information (data, studies, etc.)

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 2 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

Land use:

poor planning/ zoning

urbanization/ construction

grazing/ farming

consider reforestation; reserve areas

wildlife (pigs)

illegal clearing

poor enforcement of grubbing and grading laws

ignorance of Soil Conservation practices by
owners, developers, and earth moving
contractors

Erosion, etc

upgrade and monitor BMPs

Use/design landscapes to reduce erosion; maintain existing
vegetation and trees

Offer incentives for erosion control on construction sites

Offer incentives to include adequate previous area (in fill?) in new
development and avoid paving

Revise/develop/enforce LUP/zoning/ erosion control plan

Sustainability planning

Set up a penalty system for repeat offenders/violators of grubbing
and grading laws

Request SWCD/County to complete the revision of the Hawaii
County Grubbing and Grading Ordinance

Regarding urbanization: Use zoning and land use planning. Need
to involve State and County. Purchase watershed land for
catchment basins, more vegetation cover.

Correct reserve maps; use sub zones to differentiate specific use
areas

WQ standards

Use community-planning approach to guide development

Protect native forests and manage invasive species (Note: Bold =
from Solutions list)

Learn about ecosystem linkages to different elevations/climates,
and the role of soil and biota in affecting water flow (throughfall,
erosion, uptake).

Breakwater

Poor circulation traps pollution

Remove, poke holes in, or modify BW

Re-examine plans to put a hole in the breakwater to improve
circulation.

Impact biota & habitat

PATHOGENS

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 3 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

Residential:
?

cesspools, septic tanks,

treatment plant spills

plantation camps discharging raw sewage directly
into waterways

Illness/ disease
Non potable surface & groundwater

Consider individual household treatment systems like composing
toilets; Monitor waters; develop and enforce regulations; post
areas where problems

Hook up more houses to the sewer system (eg. Kaumana and Nene
St sewer line); get County to follow their own agreement
regarding sewer hookups

Industry/commercial
?

cruise ships

observatories (see submittal)

Illness/ disease
Non potable surface & groundwater

Monitoring

Regulations/ enforcement

Require monitoring and regulating cruise ships

Animals:
?

livestock

wildlife (pigs, rodents, etc)

domestic animals

Illness/ disease
Non potable surface & groundwater

Better rodent control (lepto)

Monitoring

Regulations/ enforcement

Build ponds using bioremediation to clean wastewater (cattle).

Storm water runoff (6)

CHEMICALS

Heavy metals including mercury, arsenic (sediment)
(Caneck)
Illegal dumping
Air pollution
Arsenic: Caneck production;
resuspended in the bay
Dredging
Urban & ag runoff
Unlined dumps

Educate public on impacts of dumping

Provide alternatives to dumping

Enforcement of dumping regulations

Clean up Waiakea? (Wailoa) Pond

Develop/revise and impose BMPs for waste disposal

Try to reduce some of the agents that add to these problems within
their own household. Educate others of the problem and
encourage them to so the same. Get radio stations/ advertising
agencies involved as well.

Hilo area groundwater is very high quality and high flow, provides
natural dilution of groundwater contaminants like leachate from dump

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 4 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

Hazardous materials/ toxic waste:
Illegal dumping including lava tubes, caves)
Landfill
Air pollution
Military waste (eg. artillery shells in bay, along Flume
Rd)
Urban & ag runoff
Observatories
Unlined dump
Cruise ships

Pollution of waterways and coastal receiving waters

Educate public on impacts of dumping

Provide alternatives to dumping

Enforcement of dumping regulations

Dispose of toxic waste (oil from cars, coolant, etc.) safely.

Require monitoring and regulating cruise ships

Make disposal of toxic wastes easier;

Develop/revise and impose BMPs for waste disposal

Hilo area groundwater is very high quality and high flow, provides
natural dilution of groundwater contaminants like leachate from
dump

Oil
Illegal dumping
Urban runoff
Unlined dump

Pollution of waterways and coastal receiving waters

Educate public on impacts of dumping

Provide alternatives to dumping

Enforcement of dumping regulations

Dispose of toxic waste (oil from cars, coolant, etc.) safely

Develop/revise and impose BMPs for waste disposal

Energy byproduct (coal ash)

Fuel:
Potential source in disaster (eg tsunami, etc)

Pollution of waterways and coastal receiving waters

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 5 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

Pesticides/ herbicides
Illegal dumping
Urban & ag runoff
Unlined dumps

Pollution of waterways and coastal receiving waters

Educate public on impacts of dumping

Provide alternatives to dumping

Enforcement of dumping regulations

Learn to use pesticides and herbicides effectively

Develop/revise and impose BMPs for waste disposal

Hilo area groundwater is very high quality and high flow, provides
natural dilution of groundwater contaminants like leachate from
dump

Nutrients
Over-fertilizing (domestic, ag, golf courses)
Urban runoff
Unlined dumps

Pollution of waterways and coastal receiving waters

Develop/revise and impose BMPs for waste disposal

Hilo area groundwater is very high quality and high flow, provides
natural dilution of groundwater contaminants like leachate from
dump

Soaps/ sunscreen
Unlined dumps
Beaches

Pollution of waterways and coastal receiving waters

Cane waste

Pollution of waterways and coastal receiving waters

Air pollution

Pollution of waterways and coastal receiving waters

SOLID WASTE

Littering, attitudes

Trash

clean up and adopt-a-beach programs, add more trash containers
near waterways; educate children.

County needs to do refuge pick up

Have separated trash, etcetera pickup by garbage company to
facilitate recycling

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 6 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

Cruise ships

Require monitoring and regulating cruise ships

Fisherman discard offal

May attract sharks

Litter/debris clogs storm drains/ channels

Flooding

Needs regular storm drain cleaning

?open vessel law? & bad habits

Bottle disposed from cars, etc

Poor habits need to be changed; offer recycle rebates on containers

Have collection containers for bottles

FLOODING

Soccer fields damaged/ unplayable

Improve fields

Channelization/stream channel engineering

Flooding

Better land use planning

Use lava tubes as conduits (flooding effects on soccer fields)

Urbanization; high density development in flood zones
(Kaumana, Puainako)

Flooding

Improve/ revise current land use planning

Make sure that Planning Department incorporates watershed
awareness

Incorrect flood zone designations

Flooding

Redraw flood zone designations

Use community-planning approach to guide development

Unknown, unrecorded & episodic streams

Flooding

?Impacts of Waikea Stream diversion on land below

Flooding Impacts

bay

Build check dams to enhance percolation of runoff

Divert runoff to Kona by a cheapie culvert system.

Blockage from yard waste dumped in waterways

flooding

County/State maintain and clean storm drains regularly

Cultural issues need to be considered, especially flood control

Need structural and non structural measures to reduce downstream
flooding

RECREATION

Flooded Soccer fields

Can?t play soccer

improve fields; coordinate efforts

Pathogens, pollution, sediment impose swimming
concerns

Bay not inviting for contact recreation;

. Install more facilities: tables, trash bins, etc.

Access to bay limited (including fence)

Limits recreation potential

Remove fence on Bay Front ; increase access

Increase recreation (bay front?)

need more amenities (picnic tables, garbage cans, etc.); make
more inviting

turn Bay into a beautiful beach (can use for jet skiing)

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 7 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

Open up more access to hunters and implement an education
program

BIOTA

Invasive species

Ponds overgrown with mangrove and grasses

?Endangered species in upper forests

Pollution

May overstress fish & invertebrates

Richardson Beach is overused and over-fished

help the natural recovery cycle of watrshd

Stream modification

How does it impact stream ecosystem

COMMUNICATION

provide more publicity on watrshd issues

Didn?t see recognition of many groups working on wtrshd
issues in State

Disconnect w/groups & agencies working on watrshd

No funding

Plans not effective without funding

actively address funding; get monies to do the projects.

The WAG should use seed money to start a self-perpetuating
project to provide funds to implement watershed improvement
projects

Get EPA grants to fund cleanup projects

Develop a grant proposal.

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 8 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

Poor communication

Lack of community involvement and understanding

contact/coordinate w/community assoctns connected to
wtrshdissues to reach more people

Have regular contact with community groups and other entities
that affect and are affected by the watershed (include urban/rural
areas, private landowners, Federal, State, County/planning,
businesses, etc.).

Tell residents on Wailuku rivers where their sewage goes

Establish watershed education, community awareness, and action
programs for children and adults. Examples: An annual "Stream
Day, " and "Get the Drift" and "Bag It."

(Publicize the watershed project on the T.V. show, "Living in
Paradise"

Have community service days and involved charter schools

Use the media to help stimulate public involvement in the project
with such announcements as, "These things are in our streams,
rivers, and bays: "excrement, leptosporosis, and arsenic.

Continue WAG and other community (action groups).

Continue dialogue about the watershed in public form via radio,
T.V., letters to the editor, etc.

Increase shoreline cleanup activities and to get community
participation

Project should interface with DOE teachers and Environmental
programs

Need coordination w/ County & State, etc

coordinate with County, State, etc

Involve NRCS in developing conservation practices.

Get county involved (Peter B, waste water & Pat Engelhart)

Not considering culture

cultural issues need to be considered

Promote the Ancient Hawaiian Ahupua'a watershed concept as a
way to generate participation in the project.

Be aware of cultural issues before decision-making; have a
Hawaiian cultural leader on WAG.

review Puna Community Trails Council document

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 9 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

Are federal agencies listening to local experts &
residents?

Improve communication w/ relevant people

Involve the Corps of Engineers in the project.

[ ? ]

Lack of monitoring of feral pigs & plant species

Lack of information and lack of understanding of how the
system works

don?t understand bay flow & how to improve

don?t understand impacts from pesticides,
herbicides, etc usage

do computational fluid dynamics study

Make a scale model of Hilo Bay so that you can change
parameters to measure effects.

do study comparing different usages (grazing, urbanization, etc);
apply results to land use planning

Learn if leptospirosis increasing, the vectors are increasing, and is
it an acceptable risk

Professor called in with proposed research project: The objective
of the project is to understand the system on the Hamakua side of
Wailuku River. There are a lot of sub basin tributaries. Proposal is
to run paired catchment studies, i.e., find small watersheds of
equal area and geology, for example one forested and one in
pasture. Study runoff and water sediment and pollutants from the
two different land types. There are many possible pairs.

We need more quality data for groundwater, streams and ocean.

Lack WQ monitoring data at different elevations

Lack of data and information

Lack understanding of Wailuku wtrshd; impacts from
different land uses
Can?t identify or understand WQ problems

do research as proposed in 31

obtain receiving water & WQ data & do modeling (see 28)

get students involved in WQ testing

Get data and background data (water quality, pathogens, etc.)

Need assessment of fecal coliform sources

Need monitoring programs to develop target areas in watershed
(where's the problem). Land cover in watershed.

Assess and measure materials entering watershed

Impacts of homeless people and squatters on beaches

Don?t know much about watrshd (see 32)

Can?t develop restoration plan

get more information (research dollars)

DOH lacks the manpower to test leakage from private
residences

Get accurate info on number, distribution of cesspool, sewer,
septic. County Wastewater Depsrtment not sure how many houses
are hooked up to the sewer.

review DOH WQ monitoring data

Table 5. Hilo Bay Watershed Public Input Synthesis

February 6, 2004

Page 10 of 10

CAUSES EFFECTS

SOLUTIONS

contact agencies with watrshd information to expedite validating
concerns

Contact Roy Takemoto of County Planning Department. They are
willing to participate in whatever they can assist with. Data
available from (GIS): (a) perennial streams; (b) drainage basins;
(c) tax parcel maps (area, TMK, owner, etc.); (d) roads; (e) USGS
raster map; (f) aerial photos; (g) DLNR, DOH aquifer
classifications; (h) zoning, General Plan, State Land Use
designations; (i) others.

Bring in NRCS ? watershed protection plans under PL 566.

Don?t know what the effects are of soil fumigants

Research existing literature on soil fumigants and groundwater
contamination in Hawaii

Loss of vegetation

Flooding

Investigate vegetative barrier to filter runoff before it reaches bay
and streams.

There is very little stream flow data for doing flood planning.

Subzones (eg. Grazing) are not differentiated on Forest
Reserve & Conservation maps

Use subzones to differentiate these areas and put on map

Don?t understand increase/decrease of E. coli at
Onekaakaa Park

Need baseline data on marine organisms

General Solutions

Com L&P

Restrict uses in watersheds.

L&P

Better enforcement of existing laws.

L&P

Legislation for Clean Water regulations.

Notes:

1. Assume all these elements/pollutants effect the watershed where the watershed includes surface and groundwater (see 21).
2. We need documentation to know to what extent these are problems.
3. Where the ?effect? is blank, assume result is general water pollution including runoff.
4. Urbanization includes pavement, loss of vegetation, etc.
5. Communication includes outreach, education coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds, etc)
6. Storm water runoff is a contributing factor to most pollutants.

File: mj: causes effects solutions table 2 6 04

Diagram 1. The Problem Tree Method

The ?Problem Tree? analytical tool assists in analyzing an existing situation by identifying the major
problems and their main causal relationships. The output is a graphical arrangement of problems
differentiated according to ?causes? and ?effects,? joined by a core, or focal, problem. This technique helps
understand the context and interrelationship of problems, and the potential impacts when targeting projects
and programs toward specific issues.

Use of cards - one problem per card - makes the tool useful for group participation in a workshop setting.
The outcome represents the collective thinking of the participants.

The ?problem tree? is often followed by an ?objectives tree.? The problems are converted through simple
rewording into specific objectives, and the chart then shows a ?means-ends? relationship. For example, ?lack
of sufficient water? becomes ?improve water supply.? These objectives than provide a basis for project and
program definition.

Because the ?problem tree? is never static and seldom - if ever - the same for different groups and at different
times, it is more a device to broaden thinking than as a definitive project determinant. For example, ?lack of
sufficient water? could either be a ?cause? or an ?effect,? depending on the situation and participating group,
and the project objectives and tasks would be different for each.

Diagram 1. Example Problem Tree

Steps:
1. List all the problems that come to mind. Problems need to be carefully identified: they should be existing

problems, not possible, imagined or future ones. The problem is an existing negative situation, it is not
the absence of a solution.

2. Identify a core problem (this may involve considerable trial and error before settling on one).
3. Determine which problems are ?Causes? and which are ?Effects.?
4. Arrange in hierarchy both Causes and Effects, i.e., how do the causes relate to each other - which leads

to the other, etc.

Source: http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena/org/u/urbanupgrading/upgrading/issues-tools/tools/problem-tree.html

H ILO W AT ERSH ED PROB LEM , CAUSES , AND EFFECTS SYNTH ES IS PER PUBL IC IN PUT

A . C A U S E S : W ATERSHED M ANAGEM EN T (PO L IC Y , COMM UN ICAT ION S ,

MON ITO R ING / IN FO RM AT ION , ETC .)

NEXT PAGE

l ack of fu ndin g

for w a ter sh ed

p ro j e cts ( C OM )

p oor

p l an n in g/

zon in g

( TU R B)

in adequ a te

coor din a t ion

b e tw een fed,

s ta te , cou n ty

e tc . ( C OM )

in su f f ic i en t

coor din a t ion

b e tw een w a ter sh ed

w or k in g gr ou ps

( C OM )

l ack of data r e :

w a ter sh ed 'v i ta l s '

( in c lu din g a t

di f fer en t

e l ev a t ion s) ( IN F O )

l ack of w a ter sh ed

b asel in e

in form a t ion

( in c lu din g m ar in e

p op u l a t ion s)

( IN F O )

i gn or an ce/ p oor

a t t i tu des

r egar din g

w a ter sh ed

p reser va t ion ( SW ,

ATT ITU DE S )

l ack of

u nder s tan din g of

h ow th e w a ter sh ed

sy s tem w or ks

( IN F O )

N a t iv e H aw a i ian

cu l tu re n ot con s i der ed

in w a ter sh ed

m an agem en t/

p reser va t ion ( C OM )

p op gr ow th &

u r ban i zat ion

( TU R B ,

W V )

h i gh den s i ty

dev e l opm en t in

f lood zon e s

(W V )

n o sy s tem a t ic

w a ter sh ed

m on i tor in g an d

r ep or t in g to

p u b l ic ( IN F O )

ab s en ce - to date- of

l eader sh ip /dir ect ion

( e .g . a w a ter sh ed

m an agem en t p l an ) r e :

H i lo

W a ter sh ed

p au c i ty of

or gan i zat ion s &

p rop osal s to r esolv e

w a ter sh ed i s su e s

( added,

su ggested)

Diagram 2. Hilo Watershed Problems-Causes-Effects of the Public Input Report

Page 2 of 3

defor esta t ion an d

degr adat ion of

for est r eser ves

( TU R B) N OTE :

A l so u nder H um an

C au ses

s teep s l op es

( TU R B)

u n k now n / u n recor ded

ep i sodi c s tr eam s

( TU R B)

r a in fa l l
v olum e

( TU R B)

f loodin g

(W TR VOL) &

sedim en ta t ion

( TU R B)

u r ban & agr i cu l tu ra l

r u nof f ( fer t i l izer s ,

p est ic i des,

h er b i c i des, etc .) ; an d

gr azin g & cr op

p rodu c t ion ( CH EM )

s torm w a ter

( P ATH ,

CH EM , SW )

w i ldl i fe ( e .g .,

p i gs, r oden ts) &
dom est ic an im a l s

( TU R B , P ATH )

s tr eam b ed

m odi f icat ion

( B IO &

W TR

VOL)

i
m p rop er w a ste

di sp osal

( CH EM )

r edu ced w a ter

qu a l i ty

( s tr eam s ,

aqu i fer s , etc .)

( added) 1

p l an ta t ion

cam p sew age,

cessp ool s ,

sep t ic tan ks ,

tr eatm en t

p l an t sp i l ls ,

etc . ( P ATH )

gol f cou rse

fer t i l izer s ,

p est ic i des,

h er b i c i des, etc .

( CH EM )

con s tr uc t ion

( TU R B ,

CH EM , SW )

sh am p oos,

soap s ,

su ns cr een , etc .

( CH EM )

H i lo B ay

H eal th

b reakw a ter

f law s

( TU R B)

P ROB L EM :

W ATER SH ED

W ATER

QU AL IT Y

N OT TO

STAN DAR D

ob ser va tor i es

( P ATH , CH EM )

cr u i se sh ip s &

oth er sh ip s ( SW ,

CH EM , P ATH )

l eak in g fu el

s tor age tan ks

( CH EM )

u n l in ed dum p s

( CH EM )

a ir p ol lu t ion

( pow er p l an ts ,

etc .) ( CH EM )

i l legal

dum p in g

( SW )

l i t ter in g

( SW )

in va siv e p l an t

an d an im a l

sp eci es ( B IO )

m i l i tar y w a ste

( e .g ., 'h ot sp ots ')

( CH EM )

l ack of

r ecy c l in g/ con ser va t ion

in cen t iv es ( bot t le

b i l ls , etc .)

(ATT ITU DE S /

P OL IC IE S / LAW S )

ov er f ish in g in

H i lo B ay /

ocean

( B IO )

f ish erm en di scar d

ofa l , etc ., in H i lo B ay

( sh ar ks , etc .) ,

ocean ( SW )

dr edgin g in

H i lo B ay

( CH EM )

p a st su gar can e

w a ste

( CH EM )

p a st C an eck

p rodu c t ion

CH EM )

ar sen i c (W a i ak ea

P on ds, etc .)

( CH EM )

B . C A U S E S : HUM AN -M ADE/ IN FLUENC ED

D . P R O B L E M (EPA /DO H -D EF IN ED )

C . CAUSES : NATURA L (RA IN FA LL ,

GEO LO GY , TO PO GRA PHY , ETC .)

c l ogged s torm
dr a in s ( SW )

defor esta t ion an d

degr adat ion of

for est r eser ves

( TU R B) N OTE :

A l so u nder N a tu ra l

C au ses

NEXT PAGE

Page 3 of 3

P ROB L EM :

W ATER SH ED

W ATER

QU AL IT Y

N OT TO

STAN DAR D

h otsp ots in

H i lo B ay

( CH EM )

b ot t le s, can s

di sp osed fr om

car s ( SW )

sh ar ks a t tr acted

to ofa l , im p edin g

r ecr eat ion a l u s e

of b ay ( SW )

eu tr op h i cat ion

an d p on ds

ov er gr ow n w i th

"m n g/ gr s "?

( B IO )

accum u l a t ion

of p ol lu tan ts
in f ish t is su e

( B IO )

l ow / decl in in g

f ish / in ver tab rae

p op u l a t ion s

( B IO )

en dan ger ed

sp eci e s in u p per

w a ter sh ed

( B IO )

i
m p act of

dev e l opm en t on

w a ter sh ed h ab i ta t ,

b i ota , e tc ( B IO )

p otab l e w a ter

sou rces adv er s ly

a f fected

( u nder gr ou nd &

su r face w a ter s

( P ATH , CH EM )

l ack of

in volv em en t

( com m u n i ty ,

gov er nm en t ,

p r iv a te

sector ) ( C OM )

ocean / b ay w a ter

n ot in v i t in g ( not

su i tab l e? ) for

r ecr eat ion /

sw im m in g

( R E C )

in ter ven t ion

in e f fect iv e

w i th ou t fu ndin g

( C OM )

h um an

i l ln esses,

di seases

( P ATH )

oi ls , ch em i cal s ,

h eav y

m e ta l s , e tc .

in b ay ( in c lu din g

r e su sp en ded)

( CH EM )

r ecr eat ion a l u s e

of H i lo B ay n ot

m ax im i zed

( R E C )

p oor w a ter

c ir cu l a t ion in

H i lo B ay ,

tr ap p in g

p ol lu t ion

( TU R B)

l ack of

u nder s tan din g :

w a ter sh ed sy s tem ,

w a ter qu a l i ty

p rob l em s , im p acts

of di f fer en t

l an d- u ses &

p ol lu tan ts , e tc .)

( IN F O )

soi l er osi on

( B IO )

sedim en ta t ion

( TU R B)

in ab i l i ty to dev e l op

w a ter sh ed

r e stor a t ion /m an agem en t

p l an ( IN F O )

f loodin g

( TU R B , SW ,

W TR VOL)

soccer f ie l ds

f lood

( u n us ab l e)

( R E C )

p a th ogen s ,

p ol lu tan ts ,

sedim en ts in b ay

( R E C )

E . E F F E C T S

D . P R O B L E M (EPA /DO H -D EF IN ED )

February 25, 2004

Page 1 of 3

Diagram 3. Solutions Tree

A. Solutions to Watershed Management Plan

Note 1: Monitor and reporting to include: potable water sources adversely affected; human illnesses and diseases (pathogens,
pollutants, sediments in bay); soil erosion/ sedimentation; oils, chemicals, heavy metals in bay; waters not suitable for water
recreation; flooding; pollution hotspots in Hilo Bay; poor water circulation traps pollutants; accumulation of pollutants in fish
tissue; low/declining fish and invertebrate populations; endangered species in upper watershed; impact of development on
watershed habitat; eutrophication and ponds overgrown with mangroves and grasses; sharks attracted to offal impeding
recreational use; bottles/cans disposed from cars

* Communication includes outreach, education, coordination, culture, community involvement, obtaining funds, etc.

Watershed Management Plan includes but is not limited to: policies, procedures, coordination and partnerships, monitoring,

information, funding, and communication including outreach, education, cultural considerations, and community involvement

Establish leadership/direction
to develop a Hilo Watershed
Management Plan

Establish a coordination
mechanism for Hilo Watershed
& Management involving gov
agencies, HI culture, and
watershed

groups

Develop sustainable
practices for future
Hilo development

Improve/update/ enforce
planning/zoning

Create funding mechanisms
to implement watershed
projects

Accommodate
population growth
& urbanization

Improve attitudes
regarding
watershed
preservation

Create/ establish systematic
watershed monitoring &
reporting (see Note 1)

Improve
understanding
of how the
watershed
works

Establish baseline information

Hilo Watershed Project Solutions Overview

February 25, 2004

Page 2 of 3

B. Solutions to Natural Causes (Rainfall, Geology, Topography, Etc.)

C. Solutions to Human Activities/Impacts

Note 2: Human and animal activities that are sources of pollution include: cesspools, septic tanks and treatment plant spills;
plantation camp sewage systems; storm water; cruise & other ships; unlined dumps; construction; wildlife (pigs, rodents) &
domestic animals; runoff from golf courses, urban areas and ag (fertilizer, pesticides & herbicides, etc); grazing & crop
production; illegal dumping; air pollution; improper waste disposal; leaking fuel storage tanks; arsenic in Wailoa ponds; past
Canek production; past sugar cane waste; military waste; fishermen discarding offal; observatory activities; shampoos soaps and
sunscreens; littering,

Reduce flooding & sedimentation

Rainfall
volume

Decrease
deforestation &
increase
reforestation of
forest reserves

Steep slopes/
topo map

Unknown/unre
corded
episodic
streams

Create a watershed map that identifies below areas to facilitate
a better understanding of the watershed and to promote BMPs

Streambed
modification

Co. implement
maintenance
program to
keep storm
drains clear

Improve WQ to meet
standards (HB health)

Reduce Pollution
Sources (see #2)

Improve natural circulation
& flushing

Modify breakwater

Dredging

Supplemental Information

Provided by Thomas Young, Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group Member

The study of a watershed requires baseline data, and benchmarks, so that you can view ecological changes
over time. Historical publications provide technical information as to the conditions of the watershed at
the earliest recording to the present. Quotes and anecdotal comments provide for a view of conditions
prior to scientific investigation.

Historical Background
Kamehameha was living at Waikea when Captain George Vancouver made his third visit to Hawaiian
waters with his ships the discovery and the Chatham. January 1794. Archibald Menzies, the naturalist
aboard the Discovery, described their arrival at Waikea by the following quote when speaking of the bay
and the productive land: ?Round the bottom of this bay was a tract [sic] of low land that extended a
considerable distance to the eastward and adorned with beautiful groves of cocoa nut palms and bread
fruit trees, amongst which were scattered the habitations of the natives. The whole was fertilized by two
considerable streams of fresh water that emptied into the bottom of the bay.?

In 1823 William Ellis estimated the population of the bay area to be 2,000 people. Both ?wet? and ?dry?
taro were grown in the bay area---. The wet taro of Hilo was not grown in pondfields (lo`i), so prevalent
in valley cultivations, but in marshlands along the Waiolama and Wailoa rivers.

(1883:99) Cummins

mentions seeing women washing clothes in the Wailuku River. During an eruption of the volcano in
1855, ?the water in the river became black with ash from the burning forests,? and river water was
temporarily unusable (Cumming 1883:230). Once, when the Wailuku was flooded, he watched the muddy
river turn the sea red (Ibid.203).

The Waiolama and Ponohawai dredge and fill projects took place in 1912-1923. Today the Waiolama
stream does not exist. The Waiolama is merely a canal that drains water from Alenaio Stream into the
Wailoa River and then into the sea.

Physical Setting
The northern part of the watershed, formed by Mauna Kea has, has a well-defined channel system on the
middle and lower slopes. Recent lava flows from Mauna Loa have obliterated natural drainage ways,
causing floodwaters to flow over wide areas. Large amounts of runoff water enter lava tubes and rock
fractures in the area but some return to the surface as springs that flood the developed areas.

The principal watershed problems consist of flood damage to agricultural lands, residential areas, and
commercial developments; and sediment pollution of Wailuku River, Alenaio stream, and Hilo Bay.

Source: Hilo Bay A Chronological History, Land And Water Use In The Hilo Bay Area, Island Of Hawaii by Marion Kelley,

Barrey Nakamura, Dorthy B. Barrere, Department of Anthropology Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Prepared for U.S. Army
Engineer District, Honolulu; March 1981; page 9

Source: See footnote 1; pages 19-20

Source: See footnote 1; page 66

Source: See footnote 1; page 217

Watershed Work Plan Wailuku-Alenaio Watershed; Hawaii County, Hawaii 1976; Soil Conservation Service Forest Service;

page 3

Source: Watershed Work Plan Wailuku-Alenaio Watershed; Hawaii County, Hawaii 1976; Soil Conservation Service Forest

Service; page 1

Under the State water quality standard classification, all streams in the watershed are Class 2, except the
Wailuku River tributaries that provide Hilo?s water supply are Class 1. Hilo bay and adjacent coastal
water is class A, except a limited area next to the boat docking facilities in the harbor, which is Class B.

Rainfall Characteristics
The island of Hawaii, lying in the path of the northeast tradewinds, has an orographic rainfall pattern
typical of the larger islands in the Hawaiian chain. The moisture-laden trades are cooled as they raise up
the mountain slopes and lose part of their moisture as rain. The prevalence of the trades throughout much
of the year accounts for the high annual rainfall of 75 to more than 300 inches on the windward, northeast
side of the island. Orographic rainfall increases with elevation, reaching a maximum intensity from 2,000
to 3,000 feet elevation and then diminishing, so that upper slopes are semi-arid.

Water Quality Characteristics
Surface water on the island of Hawaii is characterized by low concentrations of dissolved solids (salts and
mineral constituents) averaging about 64 ppm, and minimal hardness, averaging about 29 ppm. Ground
water, by contrast, has considerably higher concentrations of dissolved solids and greater hardness,
averaging about 125 and 112 ppm, respectively. Hardness is caused principally by calcium and
magnesium compounds, and somewhat by sulfate. The relatively high silica content of ground water on
the island is associated with lava rocks comprising the principal aquifers.

Surface water on Hawaii is not uniformly characterized as any one particular chemical type or class.
Either sodium or calcium may be the predominant cation, and bicarbonate, sulfate, or chloride the
principal anion. The presence of carbonate and bicarbonate, reported as ppm calcium carbonate, may
cause odor and color. Chloride affects taste, and a large amount will cause corrosion. Most of the chloride
content of high-level ground water supplies on the island is probably due to the effect of salt spray carried
in moisture-laden tradewinds. Chloride occurring in basal ground water is infiltration from sea water
underlying the fresh water lens.

Taste, color, and turbidity are qualities of significance primarily for domestic water supplies. Color and
turbidity are objectionable from and aesthetic standpoint. Limits recommended by the U.S. Public Health
Service for drinking water supplies are 5 units for turbidity, 15 units for color, and threshold odor number
3.

Common characteristics of surface water originating in forested or heavily vegetated watershed areas are
turbidity and yellowish brown color. The color bodies in the water are organic in nature, derived from
humic and tannic acids in decomposing fern and other flora of the watershed. Studies of the stream
waters of Kohala Mountain show that color values reach upwards of 300 units, typical values lying in the
50-100 unit range.

Public water supplies on Hawaii, from both ground and surface sources, contain chemical substances in
amounts which are generally well below the recommended limits. However, basal ground water sources
in the coastal areas, such as the wells and shafts, are susceptible to contamination from salt water
intrusion.

Source: See footnote 6; page 7

Source: An inventory of Basic Water Resources Data: Island of Hawaii State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural

Resources Division of Water and Land Development Report R34; page 17

Source: See footnote 8; page 181

Table 1. The percent difference in turbidity between the conservation lands in the upper reaches
of the watershed and the more developed lands in the lower reaches of the watershed. This data
suggests that turbidity is not solely a result of land use practices in the upper reaches of the
watershed, but rather results from land use practices, as well as biological, physical and
chemical processes in both the upper and the lower reaches of the watershed.

Upper
reaches

Lower
reaches

River Date

HaTurb
(NTU)

Flow
ft3/sec

HaTurb
(NTU)

Flow
ft3/sec

% difference
in turbidity

between upper
and lower

-1

Honolii

11/29/2000 1.73

4.24

145.09

1/8/2001 0.71

17.17

0.76 10.04

7.04

3/14/2001 3.57

5.38

50.70

5/16/2001 6.42

1.93

-69.94

7/9/2001 1.09

22.83

2.1 13.54

92.66

10/3/2001 12.1

3.16

-73.88

11/4/2002 1.02

28.86

0.88 16.18

-13.73

12/2/2002 0.58

13.51

0.57 9.23

-1.72

1/13/2003 1.18

16.45

0.74 10.93

-37.29

2/10/2003 0.68

0.76 6.83

11.76

3/10/2003 0.73

20.37

0.81 12.52

10.96

7/8/2003 5.7

6.32 290.4

10.88

9/29/2003 0.95

22.66

0.8 17.41

-15.79

5/25/2004 1.28

45.26

1.24 41.22

-3.13

6/22/2004 1.72

2.77 52.17

61.05

Mean 12

Wailuku 11/29/2000 0.89

0.77

-13.48

1/8/2001 0.77

67.95

0.21

2.7

-72.73

3/14/2001 2.48

1.1

-55.65

5/16/2001 2.02

0.46

-77.23

7/9/2001 0.65

18.19

0.27

2.23

-58.46

9/20/2001 2.99

1.29

-56.86

11/4/2002 0.92

88.06

0.33

4.04

-64.13

12/2/2002 0.73

29.44

0.27

0.57

-63.01

1/13/2003 0.98

43.53

0.55

0.84

-43.88

2/10/2003 0.54

20.58

3/10/2003 1.25

29.44

0.38

0.35

-69.60

7/7/2003

22.1 1222

3.43

-84.48

8/18/2003

1.71 756.7

0.93 111.47

-45.61

5/25/2004

1.16 124.7

0.78 41.3

-32.76

5/22/2004

1.24 189.9

0.9 47.96

-27.42

Mean -55

Difference in turbidity between upper and lower reaches expressed as a % of the turbidity in the

upper reach.

Supplemental Field Information

State of Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch Water Quality Monitoring Data Monitoring Data Wailuku & Honolii Rivers

Station

Name

Date

Time

Temp

DO%

DO(mg/L) ORP(mV)

Sal

Cond

HaTurb

Flow

Sampler Comments

8-2-56-L

Honolii

11/29/00 1529

20.45 100.30 9.03

374.00

0.02

0.06

1.73 7.89

CF/GU

No hydro

8-2-56-L

Honolii

01/08/01 1245

21.23 95.00

8.43 350.00 0.04 0.10 0.71 8.22 17.17

CF/PC

8-2-56-L

Honolii

04-Nov-02 910

21.60 98.50

8.69

0.10 0.11 1.02 7.38 28.86

cf/nn No

8-2-56-L

Honolii

02-Dec-02 1015

21.00 98.70

8.80 359.00 0.04 0.10 0.58 8.00 13.51

cf/nn

8-2-56-L

Honolii

13-Jan-03 1230

20.18 98.60

8.90 332.00 0.03 0.08 1.18 7.89 16.45

cf/nn

8-2-56-L

Honolii

10-Feb-03 910

19.49 92.00

8.44

451.00

0.04 0.11 0.68 7.78 8

cf/nn

8-2-56-L

Honolii

10-Mar-03 915

20.72 92.70

8.23

441.00

0.02 0.06 0.73 7.77 20.37

cf/nn D.O. with

8-2-56-L

Honolii

08-Jul-03 1045

20.06 99.80

9.45 314.00 0.00 0.02 5.70 7.04

cf/nn Not able to

8-2-56-L

Honolii

29-Sep-03 1255

24.34 98.90

8.26 315.00 0.02 0.07 0.95 7.82 22.66

cf/nn

8-2-56-L

Honolii

25-May-04 945

22.07 98.10

8.57

466.00

0.02 0.06 1.28 7.77

45.26 cf/nn

8-2-56-L

Honolii

22-Jun-04 920

22.26 93.60

8.14 517.00 0.01 0.06 1.72 7.71

cf/nn Flow too

8-2-56-U

Honolii

04-Nov-02 1020

20.10 99.30

8.86

0.10 0.09 0.88 7.36 16.18

cf/nn No

8-2-56-U

Honolii

02-Dec-02 1120

18.95 103.70

9.62 331.00 0.04 0.11 0.57 8.23 9.23

cf/nn

8-2-56-U

Honolii

13-Jan-03 1140

18.21 99.30

9.37 323.00 0.03 0.08 0.74 7.84 10.93

cf/nn

8-2-56-U

Honolii

10-Feb-03 1050

18.50 98.10

9.19

432.00

0.04 0.11 0.76 8.05 6.83 cf/nn

8-2-56-U

Honolii

10-Mar-03 1030

18.54 94.80

8.85

419.00 0.02 0.06 0.81 7.89 12.52

cf/nn D.O. with

8-2-56-U

Honolii

08-Jul-03 955

18.26 94.20

8.87 336.00 0.00 0.01 6.32 7.19 290.4

cf/nn

8-2-56-U

Honolii

29-Sep-03 1200

20.85 99.40

8.88 326.00 0.02 0.06 0.80 7.98 17.41

cf/nn

8-2-56-U

Honolii

25-May-04 1110

19.66 93.70

8.57

492.00

0.01 0.05 1.24 7.60

41.22 cf/nn

8-2-56-U

Honolii

22-Jun-04 1030

20.55 90.80

8.17 498.00 0.00 0.03 2.77 7.51 52.17

cf/nn

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

04-Nov-02 1130

23.10 106.50

9.15

0.00 0.07 0.92 7.30 88.06

cf/nn No

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

02-Dec-02 930

21.33 100.10

8.86 384.00 0.02 0.07 0.73 7.71 29.44

cf/nn

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

13-Jan-03 840

19.50 94.20

8.68 446.00 0.02 0.06 0.98 7.51 43.53

cf/nn

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

10-Feb-03 835

20.80 90.20

8.06 482.00 0.03 0.08 0.54 7.75 20.58

cf/nn

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

10-Mar-03 835

21.23 95.30

8.42

481.00

0.02 0.06 1.25 7.69 29.44

cf/nn D.O. with

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

07-Jul-03 1050

22.15 102.00

8.84 353.00 0.01 0.05 22.10 7.64 1222

cf/nn

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

18-Aug-03 920

21.52 100.40

8.86 369.00 0.00 0.03 1.71 7.60 756.7

cf/nn

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

25-May-04 900

21.94 93.50

8.15

390.00

0.01 0.06 1.16 7.79

124.7 cf/nn

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

22-Jun-04 845

22.36 92.50

8.04 507.00 0.01 0.05 1.24 7.74 189.9

cf/nn

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

04-Nov-02 1235

22.60 98.90

8.49

0.00 0.04 0.33 7.22 4.04

cf/nn No

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

02-Dec-02 1400

21.08 100.20

8.91 338.00 0.00 0.03 0.27 7.94 0.57

cf/nn

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

13-Jan-03 945

17.44 92.30

8.84 234.00 0.00 0.03 0.55 7.60 0.84

cf/nn

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

10-Feb-03 1230

cf/nn

No Flow

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

10-Mar-03 1200

22.78 97.20

8.37

259.00 0.00 0.03 0.38 7.94 0.35

cf/nn D.O. with

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

07-Jul-03 1140

19.97 94.20

8.57 347.00 0.00 0.02 3.43 7.69

cf/nn Not able to

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

18-Aug-03 1220 119.45 97.90

9.00 356.00 0.00 0.02 0.93 7.57 111.47 cf/nn

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

25-May-04 1240

20.24 94.80

8.56

509.00

0.01 0.05 0.78 7.61 41.3 cf/nn

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

22-Jun-04 1210

20.77 90.30

8.09 519.00 0.01 0.04 0.90 7.61 47.96

cf/nn

Supplemental Lab Information

State of Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch Water Quality Monitoring Data Monitoring Data Wailuku & Honolii Rivers

Station

Station Date

Time <>

TSS

<> NH4

NH4

<> NO

NO3+NO2 <> TN

<> TP

<> Si

Sampler

8-2-56-L

Honolii

04-Nov-02 0900

1.00

0.01

0.02

0.07 <

0.01

6.60 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-L

Honolii

02-Dec-02 1015 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.01

0.07 <

0.01

8.80 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-L

Honolii

13-Jan-03 1230 <

0.50

0.00

0.02

0.09 <

0.01

8.90 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-L

Honolii

10-Feb-03 0910 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.04

0.09 <

0.01

9.50 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-L

Honolii

10-Mar-03 0915 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.02

0.06 <

0.01

5.70 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-L

Honolii

08-Jul-03 1045

3.00

0.00

0.01

0.14 <

0.01

1.50 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-L

Honolii

29-Sep-03 1200

0.30

0.00

0.08

0.01

7.60 cf/nn

8-2-56-L

Honolii

02-Dec-03 0940

1.00

0.00

0.02

0.11 <

0.01

3.00 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-L

Honolii

02-Dec-03 0940

1.00

0.00

0.02

0.11 <

0.01

3.00 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-L

Honolii

25-May-04 0945 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.01

0.05

0.01

6.00 CF/NN

8-2-56-L

Honolii

22-Jun-04 0920

1.00

0.01

0.00

0.07

0.01

6.00 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

04-Nov-02 1020 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.01

0.05

0.01

8.10 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

02-Dec-02 1120 <

0.50

0.00

0.02

0.05

0.02

10.80 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

13-Jan-03 1140 <

0.50

0.00

0.01

0.06

0.01

10.70 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

10-Feb-03 1050 <

0.50

0.02

0.03

0.05

0.01

11.70 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

10-Mar-03 1030 <

0.50

0.00

0.01

0.04

0.01

7.00 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

08-Jul-03 0955

3.00 <

0.00

0.01

0.14 <

0.01

1.10 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

29-Sep-03 1255

0.70

0.00

0.02

0.10

0.01

7.50 cf/nn

8-2-56-U

Honolii

02-Dec-03 1110 <

0.50

0.00

0.01

0.09 <

0.01

2.20 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

02-Dec-03 1110 <

0.50

0.00

0.01

0.09 <

0.01

2.20 C.F./N.N.

8-2-56-U

Honolii

25-May-04 1110

1.00 <

0.00

0.01

0.06

0.01

5.10 CF/NN

8-2-56-U

Honolii

22-Jun-04 1030 <

0.50

0.01 <

0.00

0.06

0.01

3.80 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

04-Nov-02 1130

1.00 <

0.00

0.04

0.08 <

0.01

6.60 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

02-Dec-02 0930

1.00

0.00

0.06

0.11 <

0.01

7.10 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

13-Jan-03 0840 <

0.50

0.01

0.08

0.12 <

0.01

7.70 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

10-Feb-03 0835

1.00 <

0.00

0.07

0.11 <

0.01

7.60 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

10-Mar-03 0835

1.00 <

0.00

0.04

0.10 <

0.01

6.50 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

07-Jul-03 1050

14.00

0.01

0.02

0.34

0.02

5.50 C.F.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

18-Aug-03 0920

1.00 <

0.00

0.04

0.01

4.00 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

02-Dec-03 0900 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.06

0.12 <

0.01

3.90 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

02-Dec-03 0900 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.06

0.12 <

0.01

3.90 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

25-May-04 0900

1.00 <

0.00

0.05

0.11 <

0.01

6.90 CF/NN

8-2-60-L

Wailuku

22-Jun-04 0845

1.00

0.00

0.04

0.09 <

0.01

5.80 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

04-Nov-02 1235 <

0.50

0.04

0.06

0.09

0.01

6.00 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

02-Dec-02 1400 <

0.50

0.01

0.08

0.12 <

0.01

5.90 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

13-Jan-03 0945 <

0.50

0.00

0.08

0.13 <

0.01

6.50 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

10-Mar-03 1200 <

0.50

0.00

0.10

0.16 <

0.01

6.10 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

07-Jul-03 1140

3.00

0.00

0.05

0.20 <

0.01

4.20 C.F.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

18-Aug-03 1220 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.02

0.01

2.80 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

02-Dec-03 1300 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.06

0.14 <

0.01

4.40 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

02-Dec-03 1300 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.06

0.14 <

0.01

4.40 C.F./N.N.

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

25-May-04 1240 <

0.50 <

0.00

0.05

0.08 <

0.01

7.00 CF/NN

8-2-60-U

Wailuku

22-Jun-04 1210 <

0.50

0.01

0.04

0.08 <

0.01

7.00 C.F./N.N.

Hilo TMDL Projects

What is the TMDL Process?

The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Process identifies activities that may help reduce
pollutant loads, improve water quality, and increase a waterbody's ability to support its legally-
protected uses (such as public recreation and protecting the breeding stock of native animals).
These activities may be prioritized to receive funding from the Department of Health (Clean
Water Act Section 319(h) grants) and may also qualify for funding from other sources. The
process starts with identifying places where water quality is "limited" or "impaired."

Why is Hilo part of this process?

After inspections in 1996, several Hilo waterbodies (Waiakea, Alenaio, Wailoa, Wailuku,
Honolii) were placed on the 1998 State of Hawaii list of impaired waters under �303(d) of the
federal Clean Water Act. Excessive turbidity (usually caused by sediment) is listed as a cause of
poor water quality in Honolii, Wailuku, and Wailoa, and excessive nutrients (nitrogen and
phosphorous) in Honolii, Wailoa, Alenaio, and Waiakea. Excessive pathogens, as indicated by
measured enterococci levels, are listed as an additional cause of poor water quality in Wailoa.

These waterbodies all feed Hilo Bay, which has been on the list of impaired waters for decades.
The complete statewide list of impaired waters and supporting information can be viewed online
at www.state.hi.us/doh/eh/epo/303dpcfinal.pdf or requested from the State of Hawaii
Department of Health (contact information listed on the other side of this flyer).

What happens next?

To satisfy federal Clean Water Act requirements, the State of Hawaii Department of Health
(DOH), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and URS, Inc. will conduct a federally-funded
water quality planning process for Waiakea and Alenaio Streams. We'll calculate existing
pollutant loads, determine relationships between these loads and State water quality standards,
and suggest how pollutants, pollutant source areas, and stream environments could be managed
to achieve necessary water quality improvements. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs),
which establish the maximum rate at which these waterbodies can receive certain pollutants (in
this case, nutrients and sediments) without exceeding the State?s water quality standards, will be
submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval after a public review
of the project results. This phase of the project will last about two years.

After EPA approves our technical report, DOH will work with the watershed community to
plan actions for reducing pollutant loads, improving water quality, and supporting protected
uses in specific problem areas. This "TMDL Implementation Plan" can be a big part of the
community's prescription for watershed health, and ideally will be part of the bigger
"Watershed Plan" funded by a different DOH program (Polluted Runoff Control). The
actions identified in both plans may be prioritized to receive funding from the Department
of Health (Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grants) and may also qualify for funding from
other sources.

Where do we get more information about this project?

next page>

Hilo TMDL Projects

Who is responsible for this project?

The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program is a cooperative effort of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH).
The program is coordinated by the DOH Environmental Planning Office with technical
assistance from the DOH Clean Water Branch and the DOH State Laboratories Division. An
intergovernmental work group, including representatives from federal, state, and county
agencies, holds regular meetings about the overall TMDL program and specific TMDL projects.

A TMDL project cannot be successful without public participation. We hope that the Hilo
Watershed Advisory Group (formed during a related DOH-funded project) will remain active
and help us identify water pollution problems and create water quality solutions in the Hilo Bay
watersheds.

Department of Health Contact Information
State of Hawaii Department of Health

(Chiyome Leinaala Fukino, M.D., Director)

Environmental Health Administration

(Laurence K. Lau, Deputy Director)

Environmental Planning Office

(June F. Harrigan-Lum, Manager)

919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Third Floor
Honolulu, HI 96814
974-4000 + 64337

TOLL-FREE PHONE FROM HAWAII ISLAND

(808) 586-4337

PHONE

(808) 586-4370

FAX

David Penn, Total Maximum Daily Load Coordinator
dpenn@eha.health.state.hi.us

Where do we get more information about TMDLs?

National TMDL program information

www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl

The DOH Environmental Planning Office website at www.state.hi.us/doh/eh/epo includes:

? completed TMDL technical reports and implementation plans

? stream biological assessment reports
? Statewide Clean Water Act �303(d) list of Impaired Waters

? Various Water Quality Standards information and water quality reports

The DOH Clean Water Branch website at www.state.hi.us/doh/eh/cwb includes:

? Water Pollution Control Permit information

? Polluted Runoff Control Program information (Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grants)

What about enforcement?

Federal, state, and local law do not require TMDL implementation and TMDLs are not enforced
by federal, state, and local authorities. Ambient water quality standards, permit conditions, and
permit requirements are enforced by the Department of Health and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.