From Vision to Reality: Native Hawaiian Plant Coastal Restoration Works!

By: MPW Staff

Prior to 2015, the shoreline around Sharks Cove was mostly barren dirt and a desert of shallowrooted invasive weeds and shrubs. Every time it rained, rivers of muddy water washed from the road, the parking lot, and the park into the ocean and caused heavy sedimentation on the fragile coral below. Sedimentation blocks the sunlight corals need and causes them to beach and eventually die. We watched as year after year more people utilized the area which added to the erosion problem and year after year, we saw the health of the reef rapidly decline. But what could we do? After much
deliberation, collaboration, and creativity, Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea started our Native Hawaiian Plant Coastal Restoration Project. Since then, we’ve successfully removed tons of invasive weeds and shrubs and have planted thousands of deep-rooted native Hawaiian coastal plants in their place.

Six years later, those native plants are now fully mature and we are seeing the amazing results of their ability to hold back erosion and increase coral health. Last month’s heavy rains really put the project to the test but we are happy to report that in areas that have been planted with native plants, the water below was still clear. In addition, the plants are acting as nets and are catching dozens of pounds of trash that would otherwise end up in the ocean. Some of the native plants that have done really well are naupaka,
pōhinahina, ahu’awa, ‘ākulikuli, and ‘ōhai. Coral reefs are a critical part of a healthy and abundant marine ecosystem. Mahalo nui to everyone who has helped make this project a continued success.

”Aohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia – No task is too big when done together by all.

If you’d like to participate, join our EARTH DAY COMMUNITY WORK DAY
happening on Saturday, April 24th from 9am-11am. Space is limited and
registration is required. Register by scanning this QR code with the camera
on your phone or visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y72WWJN

To learn more, visit us at www.pupukeawaimea.org IG@malama_pupukea_waimea FB at Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea