Ko'olau Mountains Watershed Partnership
The Ko‘olau Mountains Watershed Partnership (KMWP) is a consortium of landowners and interested parties who are working together to protect the forested mauka areas of the Ko‘olau Mountains on O‘ahu. The KMWP boundary area consists of approximately 111,407 acres, of which 100,484 acres are in the partnership. KMWP consists of 16 partners and 8 associate partners, in association with the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit and the University of Hawai‘i.
Partners and Associate Partners
Dole Food Company, Inc.
Queen Emma Land Company
Tiana Partners, et al.
Associate Partners
Where and How We Work
The boundary of the KMWP is the old forest reserve boundary that was established in the early 1900s. Back then, the destruction of the mountain areas by cattle and other feral animals was quite evident. The large private landowners knew that something was needed to be done to protect the source of their water. They, along with the territorial government of Hawai‘i, decided that the best way to protect the mauka lands from further destruction was to fence the area, control feral animals, plant trees, and check development of these areas. The Watershed Partnership continues that work today. Thus, it was determined that the old forest reserve boundary would be a logical delineation for the Ko‘olau Mountains Watershed. Since we work across such a large landscape, landowners who own more than 100 acres within the partnership boundaries are invited to participate in the partnership.
The purpose of the MOU is to have participating partners agree that the Ko‘olau Mountains Watershed is an important watershed for O‘ahu. The partners also concur that pro-active management of the watershed is crucial in eliminating or reducing the threats of damage to the watershed due to weeds, insects, disease, feral ungulates, and in some instances, human impacts. They agree to work together to formulate watershed projects for the mauka regions of the Ko‘olau mountains and join in cooperative efforts to seek funds for these projects.
The purpose of the KMWP program is to involve as many of the landowners within the Ko‘olau watershed area to continue to practice good stewardship of the land. For example, if a noxious weed species like Miconia is found and has the probability of escaping onto adjacent lands, it would be desirable if a team under careful supervision be allowed access onto the land to eradicate it before it affects all of the Ko‘olau Watershed.
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| Creating a pig corral to reduce feral pig damage in the watershed |
Native plant restoration work after a wildfire |
Stream monitoring to measure management efficacy |
Management Plan
Funding
KMWP is funded by a variety of federal, state, and private support. All partners are involved in seeking matching revenue sources and in-kind support for watershed management activities. All projects are decided and agreed upon by the KMWP.
Get Involved
Koolau Mountains Watershed Partnership hiring for two watershed field assistant positions (position one, position two). Applications due July 3rd.
OPEN HOUSE
The KMWP hosts an annual Open House for interested unsigned partners and the greater conservation community.
Contact Information
 Miranda Smith, Coordinator Ko‘olau Mountains Watershed Partnership
2551 Waimano Home Road, Bldg #202
Pearl City, HI 96782
Phone: (808) 453-6110
Fax: (808) 453-6113
Email: kmwp@hawaii.edu
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