the community newspaper for east oahu since 1987

Saving special places, promoting livability

by ALYASSA MILLER
Sun Correspondent
*Archived November 2006 article

Welcome to Maunalua Bay! If you are a resident of Southeast Oahu you probably live on or near Maunalua Bay. This bay is large, stretching from Kawaihoa to Kupikipiki'o (also known as Koko Head to Black Point), including nearly 8 miles of shoreline and 6.5 square miles of ocean waters. The watersheds that drain into the Bay encompass the neighborhoods of Portlock, Hawaii Kai, Kuli'ou'ou, Niu, Hawai'i Loa, 'Aina Haina, Wailupe, Kai Nani, Wai'alae Iki, and portions of Wai'alae Nui and Eastern Kahala.

The Bay at one time was extremely productive, with a well-known fishery that provided fish, limu (seaweeds) and invertebrates for consumption and sale. This fishery is reported to have declined by as much as 90 percent in the last 50 years. Habitat loss in nearshore areas has also occurred, and sedimentation is clearly noticeable. Still, the resources of Maunalua Bay are important both biologically and socially. The Bay continues to harbor healthy stands of coral reef, native sea grass beds, and a variety of reef animals. The Bay is also popular for ocean recreational activities including fishing, boating, SCUBA diving, parasailing, jet-skiing, outrigger canoe paddling, and surfing. In addition, the area continues to provide outstandingly beautiful scenic resources for its 60,000 residents and thousands of (annual) visitors. It may be an understatement to say that Maunalua Bay is well loved, but it is not well cared for.

How can we help Maunalua Bay recover? A new community organization called Malama Maunalua (to take care of Maunalua) has been formed to help residents and users take better care of Maunalua Bay. The group's mission is to conserve and restore a healthy and productive Maunalua Bay through community kuleana or stewardship. Stressing that there are many things we can do as individuals or through our businesses, schools and organizations to help Maunalua Bay Malama Maunalua is launching three Healthy Bay initiatives:

  1. Clean Clear Waters. We need to develop widespread understanding and awareness about the effects of our everyday actions (around the house and yard, in watercraft, at parks and beaches) and begin to clean up our streams and the waters of the Bay reducing sediment (mud), bacteria, litter, nutrients and poisons.
  2. Alien Invasive Algae Removal. Areas of the Bay are infested with alien seaweeds, which displace native plants and degrade fish habitat. Residents and others can help by becoming aware of the problem and joining in the cleanup efforts.
  3. Eyes on the Bay. Waterfront residents, students, paddlers, surfers, boaters, fishermen and other water lovers can volunteer to help monitor the Bay, in order to raise awareness in the community about conditions in the Bay, including the types and levels of use.

To learn more about how you, your school, your business or your organization can help revitalize Maunalua Bay, contact Malama Maunalua at (808) 228-0027 or greenwaveproductions@gmail.com