Report looks at troubles of Kailua waterways

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — A year-long study of Kailua's waterways offers solutions for problems ranging from stagnant canals to polluted runoff and alien weeds and recommends that the community become a model of watershed management, a "learning center for the Pacific."

The Kailua Waterway Improvement Plan and the Strategic Implementation Plan covers the watershed system for the Kailua ahupua'a including the ridges above Maunawili, Kawai Nui Marsh, Kaelepulu Pond, Coconut Grove, Kailua Town, Lanikai, the beaches and Kailua Bay, said Jason Brodersen, operations manager for Tetra Tech Inc., which conducted the study for the Kailua Bay Advisory Council.

Among the problems detailed in the recently released draft study and implementation plan:

• Kaelepulu system: The siltation problem throughout the stream system appears to be worsening because of small organism sediments that contribute to odors, poor water quality and poor circulation.
• Kailua Bay and beaches: The elevated bacterial count at the Kaelepulu Stream opening when it is opened to the sea for flushing and flood control. Levels of E.coli, coliform and enterococci exceed federal Environmental Protection Agency standards 300 yards from the shoreline, the report said.
• Throughout the ahupua'a: Runoff, sediment, trash, debris and other pollutants continue to go through storm drains into waterways and streams and onto the beach.

Many of the problems can be attributed to urbanization and the changes in water use, Brodersen said. Solutions range from simple and inexpensive to long-term and costly, he said.

Simple things such as community stream cleanups are relatively easy and inexpensive to do. Long-term solutions could include building a wetland to filter water above Kawai Nui Marsh, redesigning storm drain systems so water doesn't flow directly into the ocean and dredging Kaelepulu Pond.

Cliff Halevi, a member of the community advisory group that was part of the study, said the plans are a starting point of any effort to address problems in Kailua's waterways.

While the solutions don't include a "silver bullet," they are comprehensive and well thought out, said Halevi, adding that he hopes the study can be put to use.

"As someone involved you hope that it just doesn't fall apart because of a lack of interest or funding on the part of the local government," he said. "You hope that it contributes in some way toward a plan and educates people on what's possible."

Maile Bay, executive director for Kailua Bay Advisory Council, said she didn't want to comment on the study until it was finalized. The council is reviewing the document for factual references, consistency and accuracy.

Brodersen hopes that what results is the fullest use of the proposal.

"We're proposing that the Kailua watershed be developed into this center of excellence for watershed management," he said.

That would require a partnership of county, state and federal agencies and community stakeholders, he said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.