DLNR has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Kailua community for more than 15 years to develop a habitat restoration project for the 800-acre Kawainui Marsh and their partnership continues with a new phase of restoration. The latest project implements the wildlife habitat restoration components of the 1994 Kawainui Marsh Master Plan and Hawai'i Endangered Waterbird Recovery Plans. It will also serve as the foundation for educational, environmental, cultural, recreational, community and volunteer efforts to restore the wildlife habitat in the marsh. Without restoration, the marsh will remain in a state of degradation with little wildlife and community use values.
The project will help to restore habitat for four endangered waterbirds on O'ahu: the endangered koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), ae'o (Hawaiian stilt), 'alae 'ula (Hawaiian moorhen) and 'alae ke'oke'o (Hawaiian coot). It will increase populations of endangered waterfowl, create scenic open space, reduce upland runoff to coastal reefs and remove invasive weeds from the marsh. The total project area of 37.8 acres will include 11 terraced shallow ponds (on 24 acres), an earthen berm system accessible by light-duty maintenance vehicles and water supply system to the ponds using two solar-powered well pumps and water level control structures.
The total project cost is estimated to be $4 to $6 million with the federal government providing 75 percent of the funding. The Project Partnership Agreement will require DLNR to pay the state cost share, estimated to be more than $1 million, which represents approximately 25 percent of the total project costs. The Army Corps will be responsible for the contracting and construction of the project. Once completed, the State will assume the responsibility to operate, maintain, and repair the project. The construction phase of the project is expected to begin this year.