To improve the water quality in Heʻeia Fishpond and surrounding coastal areas, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) is leading a two-year project in partnership with Paepae o Heʻeia, Hui Kū Maoli Ola and Nā Kilo Honua o Heʻeia to remove invasive mangrove and hau (lowland tree) and install bioretention basins.

The project, funded by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch, builds on a previous successful project which resulted in considerable improvements to the ecosystem and water quality within the fishpond with the removal of invasive red mangroves.

Keliʻi Kotubetey, assistant executive director of NERR site partner Paepae o Heʻeia, says that “these bioretention basins will help us capture storm water from over 50 homes and street surfaces, and hopefully make it as clean as possible before it enters the pond. Clean fresh water is critical to a healthy fishpond environment and clean seafood.”

Read the full story by Cindy Knappman on the UH News site here.