He ‘āina momona ‘o Punalu‘u – Punalu‘u is a place of abundance
Our vision
Our relationship to the ʻāina and our Hawaiian values sustain the traditions and productivity of the ahupua‘a, stimulate learning opportunities, nurture a healthy community, and perpetuate its rural character.
Our goals
Kamehameha Schools (KS) identified the lower Punalu‘u Stream Valley as an opportunity to implement a project that incorporates its ahupua‘a management strategy to provide flood mitigation and restore natural ecological form and process to its land. Our Punalu‘u Stream Restoration Project aims to:
Restore stream and floodplain processes
Mitigate flood impacts
Protect cultural and natural resources
Increase community engagement
Conduct ʻāina-based learning
Our timeline
2005 – Heavy flooding damages roads, properties, fields and crops in Punalu‘u
2007 – KS initiates community consultation for Punalu‘u Ahupua‘a Plan, including concepts for stream stewardship and flood mitigation planning
2010 – KS finalizes Punalu‘u Ahupua‘a Plan
July 2014 – Heavy flooding damages roads, properties, fields and crops in Punalu‘u
November 2015 – Final Environmental Assessment approved with Findings of No Significant Impact for the project
July 2016 – Special Management Area permit approved by City and County of Honolulu
July 2016 – Heavy rain and flooding impacts KS’ farmers and water infrastructure
2016-2021 – KS secures multiple permits and approvals on project
March 2021 - Heavy flooding damages roads, properties, fields and crops in Punalu‘u
June 2021 – Determination by City and County that additional Environmental Review is not required
January 2022 – Special Management Area permit re-approved by City and County of Honolulu
April 2022 (estimated) – Initiate project includes clearing vegetation
Late 2023 to Early 2024 – Anticipated project completion
Steps we’re taking to minimize impacts from construction
Working within the high water level mark – the distinct point on the streambank where the water is steadily at its highest – to avoid flooding
Ongoing water quality monitoring
Employing erosion and sediment controls
Halting all work during rain and high stream flows
Immediately stopping work if adverse water quality issues are observed
KS continues to participate in or host meetings to update the community on our work in the Punalu‘u ahupua‘a. View the list below to find upcoming opportunities to hear about and discuss the project. This page will be updated with the latest information when available.
Green Valley Road closed on Monday, October 3 for primary access into the valley due to construction.
Alternative access is provided via Coral Road, entrance near Keneke's.
Safety is our priority at the site and number 1 concern
Best Management Practices Implemented
Contractor Goodfellow Bros installed mandated erosion control measures that include nearly 6 miles of silt fencing around the perimeter of working areas. This fencing may be visible from Kamehameha Highway in places.
We also shored up the existing front entrance with additional cobble and gravel material to help control mud and sediment from vehicles leaving the site. No excavated material will leave the site.
Ground Disturbance Starting
We started major earthwork in early October 2022
Our contractor, Goodfellow Bros, installed mandated erosion control measures that include nearly 6 miles of silt fencing around the perimeter of working areas. This fencing may be visible from Kamehameha Highway in places.
We also shored up the existing front entrance with additional cobble and gravel material to help control mud and sediment from vehicles leaving the site. No excavated material will leave the site.
Water Quality
To prevent adverse impact to water quality, special protective curtains will be in place in designated areas of the stream corridor. Frequent water quality testing by a third-party firm will also be conducted. The project will shut down when water quality is not within permit-regulated limits and will not resume until the quality is within the established approved limits.
Potential impacts
The surrounding neighborhood will hear some construction-related noise throughout the workday, which will be between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The initial excavation area will be near the estuary on the front portion of the property and so we expect constructed-related noise on the Kahana side of the project.
Coconut Rhinosurus Beetle (CRB)
The State of Hawai‘i CRB Taskforce visiting Punalu‘u on October 6 to inspect the project area for CRB.
This was due to concerns brought up at the Punalu‘u Community Association meeting about CRB being present in Lā‘ie and Hau‘ula.
The Taskforce did not detect any CRB in Punalu‘u but did provide BMPs to our contractor and KS staff.
