East Maui Watershed Partnership

History & Mission

In 1991, the County of Maui, along with federal, state and private landowners formed the East Maui Watershed Partnership (EMWP) to coordinate watershed management efforts on the windward slope of Haleakalā. Although the members of the Partnership have different priorities, mandates and constituencies, all share a common commitment – the long term protection of the East Maui Watershed.

In 1996, the Partners drafted an Environmental Assessment (EA) outlining a fencing strategy to preserve and protect a 12,000-acre core area. Between 1996 and 2001, partner agencies and cooperators carried out the objectives identified in EMWP management and monitoring plans. In 2002, professional staff was hired to assume responsibility for fence construction and threat abatement above partnership fences. A public outreach and education program was launched soon after. Watershed protection efforts continue to expand as projects build upon and complement one another.

EMWP’s partners seek to participate together to protect East Maui’s native rainforest and primary water source in perpetuity. We do this to ensure the goods and services of the watershed are provided to the island’s communities and the continued health of East Maui’s unique native plants and animals. We pledge to do this with fiscal responsibility, efficient completion of work promised, proper education and reporting, and engaging community participation.

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Partners

The Nature Conservancy
East Maui Irrigation
Haleakalā National Park
Haleakala Ranch Company

County of Maui
State of Hawaiʻi – Department of Land and Natural Resources

Our Logo

The East Maui Watershed Partnership’s logo depicts the leaf of the native Hawaiian plant kopiko with a droplet of water signifying the link between healthy native forests and abundant water resources.

Management Priorities

EMWP believes that protecting the native ecosystems and component parts is essential to maintaining a healthy watershed. With ongoing support from our community and funders we will continue protecting East Maui’s primary water source, including, but not limited to, the native forested watershed by significantly reducing targeted threats including management of invasive hooved animals and habitat modifying non-native vegetation. We also seek to increase public understanding of the importance of Hawaii’s watershed areas through community engagement.

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Ecosystem Highlights

EMWP’s project sites include the largest contagious expanse of intact native ecosystems in Maui Nui. The area is habitat for some of the planet’s most endangered forest birds and home to endemic plants that are found nowhere else in the world. Watershed protection efforts are focused on montane mesic and wet forests.