This community’s question is: How does the Ka`ehu Bay’s fresh and saline water quality change as surrounding river discharge and land-use changes? The project team will investigate this by implementing a consistent water-quality monitoring system within the space and by collecting indigenous stories about historic uses and experiences of Ka`ehu Bay. This includes potentially adding additional monitoring sites upstream and within the bay itself. This will benefit the community by providing more insight into the interplay between water and ecological health in accordance with Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) values. At the end of this project, community members will have access to an organized database of water quality and historic observations and the tools to continue monitoring into the future.
KAʻEHU is a local nonprofit organization run by a small team of dedicated staff that steward 64 acres of coastal wetland and beach on the North-Central coast of Maui, Hawaiʻi, within Kāʻehu Bay. The location is historically a sacred place of healing and agricultural cultivation, including fishponds, a lauhala grove, and lo’i (shallow water irrigated terraces). Historic water diversion and modern development have negatively affected water flow through the bay. Unnatural levels of sediment make water visibility and flow poor. The team works with many local volunteer groups and other non-profit organizations to both mālama (care) for the space together and provide a place of connection to the ‘āina (land).
The organization’s long-term goal is to “restore the land and perpetuate traditional Hawaiian culture by utilizing an inclusive community-based and family-oriented approach to environmental stewardship and sust’āinable agriculture.” To this end, they want to implement a water monitoring program for the ‘āina and its surrounding waikai (water, both fresh and saline) as they restore the area to its traditional state and build a cultural education center. They are working with TEX to find a local expert who can assist the team in their water quality monitoring.
Since its establishment in 2012, KAʻEHU has worked to restore the bay and coastal wetlands to its natural state. In 2021, KAʻEHU solicited input from community stakeholders through meetings and interviews to inform their master plans. In May 2023, the master plan was finalized, with three goals: 1) Puʻuhonua: A place of refuge for health and healing; 2) E hoʻi i ka ʻāina: Returning the land to its natural state; and 3) Waiwai: Building Community Connectedness and Cultural Capacity. In 2024, major changes were made to the community’s physical and administrative landscape.
Additional background on the community and existing issue:
The Paukūkalo and Waiʻehu communities aim to restore and steward Kaʻehu Bay by improving their understanding of local water systems and sharing knowledge with stakeholders. To support this, they will partner with experts to monitor key water quality indicators, such as depth, turbidity, flow speed, and pH. Three monitoring sites — two at freshwater springs and one near the Waiʻale River — will collect data twice weekly, with additional sampling before and after storms. Findings will be stored in an organized database and analyzed to identify patterns, especially changes in stream discharge, and shared with the public via an online platform.
This initiative also emphasizes cultural education and youth mentorship. High school students will work alongside STEM professionals, gaining hands-on experience in environmental science. Additionally, community members will learn traditional olis (chants) and historic water stewardship practices, deepening their connection to the land. Key partners include Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā, local universities, Hawaiian homestead associations, government agencies, and cultural organizations such as Kanaeokana and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
December 2024: Complete the project description.
January 2025: Begin Search for Scientists.
February 2025: Search for Scientists.
March 2025: (If a scientist is found): Establish a schedule and priority list of goals for monitoring with the scientist. Get initial measurements.
April 2025: Monitor and adjust accordingly.
May 2025: Monitor and adjust accordingly.
June 2025: Data analysis of the first three months. Continue monitoring.
June 2025: Monitor and adjust accordingly.
July 2025: Monitor and adjust accordingly. Start working on a public database for observations.
August 2025: Start working on a public database for observations.
September 2025: Continue monitoring. Start a written plan and protocol to pass on to the next leader in water monitoring.
October 2025: Community event planning – potentially host school children to learn about water quality
November 2025: Complete the database with data from the past year and debut it to community stakeholders.
December 2025: Teach staff new protocol and troubleshoot equipment.
January 2026: If desired, help staff find another member to help with monitoring to ensure there is no break in monitoring.
February 2026: Support remotely with database and analysis.
March 2026: Support remotely with database and analysis.
Keolamau Tengan is Ka`ehu Director of Organizational Development. There are places we are raised, and then there are the places that raise us. A son of Waiʻehu, Keolamau Tengan grew up playing upon the shore of Kaʻehu Bay. Having pilina with this place, Keolamau takes his kuleana of stewardship as a priority to support in revitalizing the lands, restoring the waters, and doing his part to uplift the community of this ʻāina.
With a background in both nonprofit and entrepreneurialism, Keolamau brings his unique experience and perspective to further support KAʻEHU in the great work that has and continues to happen. With the vision of a Puʻuhonua at KAʻEHU, Keolamauʻs brings with him a desire to be of service, experience within community, and aspiration to be a great ancestor for generations to come into his daily work.
Danae Marin, Ka`ehu Director of Community Engagement, is a new and great help to the Kaehu. She helps to lead community work days and plan native plant restoration efforts.
Lohelani Furtado-Gaspar, Ka`ehu Director of Cultural Education, grew up on the island of Oʻahu in the ahupuaʻa of Kalihi. A proud 2019 graduate of Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue, a Hawaiian immersion school nestled in the back of Pālolo Valley, Lohelani began her cultural education journey at Ānuenue, where she immersed herself in the Hawaiian language and cultural practices from a young age.
Her connection to Kaʻehu began in 2016 as a haumāna (student), and she returned each summer, steadily embracing more kuleana (responsibility). By 2020, she joined Kaʻehu full-time and now serves as the Director of Cultural Education.
Lohelani holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and is dedicated to uplifting her community through cultural education and land stewardship. She believes Kaʻehu is a vital resource for the community, offering a space to come together, connect with culture, and get grounded through ʻāina (land).
Richelle Moskvichev is a research scientist within the School of Ocean Earth Sciences and Technology at UH Mānoa. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Physics and Computer Science. Growing up in Kapolei Oʻahu, she is passionate about environmental stewardship and a climate forward future for Hawai’i. She supports the Kaʻehu team remotely by providing technical and administrative support in their hydrology study.
Kaehu seeks a scientist willing to dedicate 5 to 10 hours weekly to fieldwork, data analysis, and community engagement. This includes maintaining water quality testing instruments and ensuring timely analysis. After the initial agreed-upon time period of collaboration, the scientist should work with the team to assure a smooth transition of monitoring protocols, if they choose not to continue on the project. Post-baccalaureate students, graduate students, and early career researchers are encouraged to apply. Researchers must be local to Maui island or be able to visit the site monthly and work with the team remotely.
Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with the community to help define a project with concrete local impact to which they can contribute as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. This work can also position the scientists and communities to seek additional funding, together, for the next stage.
