Why Watersheds Matter
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What is a Watershed
 A watershed is an area of land, such as a mountain or valley, which collects rainwater into a common outlet. In Hawai‘i, the common outlet is ultimately the ocean. Some of the rain is absorbed by plants, some of it is absorbed underground, and the rest flows into surface rivers and streams. A critical component of a watershed’s ability to collect rainwater is the existence of forests. Fog condensing on trees high up in watershed areas can increase rainfall collection and absorption by as much as 30% annually.
The closest Hawaiian equivalent of a watershed is the ahupua‘a. In ancient Hawaiian culture, Ahupua‘a were political regions, often entire valleys, with the ridges between serving as boundaries, varying on different islands from as little as 100 acres to more than 100,000 acres. Ahupua‘a included the land from the mountains to the coast that drains into a stream, and the coastal ocean extending out to and including the coral reef. Native Hawaiians also recognized the importance of forests in water production, Hahai nō ka ua i ka ulu lā'au - Rain always follows the forest (click here to read more about linkages between forested watersheds and Native Hawaiian cultural resources).
"In Hawai‘i, the most valuable product of the forest is water, rather than wood." - Ralph S. Hosmer, First Territorial Forester
Why Protect Forested Watersheds
We all live in a watershed and our daily lives rely on the services provided by our watersheds (click here to see a short 2 minute video or click this pdf to read more about forested watersheds in The Last Stand: The Vanishing Hawaiian Forest).
At no cost to us, forested watersheds:
 • Recharge our water supply and help with droughts by collecting rainwater which flows underground into our aquifers supplying residents and communities as well as agriculture and businesses with their water needs• Protect oceans for swimming and fishing by controlling erosion and run-off as the roots of trees and other vegetation help to hold soils to keep them from flowing down into oceans and impacting coral reefs, fisheries, and swimming areas
• Mitigate flooding as forests help to slow down water flow
• Provide habitat for Hawaii’s unique plants and animals that can be found no where else in the world
• Supply cultural important plants and animals to continue traditions such as hula, storytelling, and medicine
• Serve as recreational and educational places for communities and schools
• Protect public health by providing clean water and air
• Supports the economy through providing watershed management related jobs, opportunities for businesses for needed supplies and materials, and eco-tourism
• Mitigate the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxides.
A University of Hawai‘i study estimates the Ko‘olau Mountains on O‘ahu alone provide watershed services worth up to $14 billion. Consider the cost of replicating any of these essential services through technology or engineering to understand how important our forested watersheds are important to both Hawaii’s economy and its communities.
If we don't protect our watersheds, we may see increased headlines like the ones below in our local papers.
How are Watershed Partnerships Protecting Our Watersheds
Over one million acres of critical forestlands are under the different Watershed Partnerships. These areas provide billions of gallons of water to various communities on each island. Watershed Partnerships work to target the main threats of feral ungulates (hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, deer) which destroy forest vegetation leaving grounds bare and soils exposed, invasive weed species which can take over a native forest and impact its efficacy in water collection, wildfires, and forest pests and disease = all of which impact forest health and functionality. The work of the Watershed Partnerships make a critical difference, insuring island communities continue to receive the benefits provided by these forested watersheds, and you can help.
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