As specified in the Consent decree, this report is prepared to inform all parties of the work done by the Council through its three programs during the year ending June 1998. The programs are 1) the Technical Program; 2) the Implementation Program; and 3) the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program.

The Council has undergone personnel changes and now consists of: Jeffrey Harris, Mark Heckman, Steve Holmes, Edward Laws, Roland Libby, Jr., Fred Madlener, Elaine Murphy and Christine Woolaway. Meetings are usually held the second Tuesdays of each month at the Windward Community College.

The Technical Program

Early in 1997, the Council hired Susan Miller as a technical consultant to prepare a written report identifying 1) the nature and extent of water quality or watershed management problems within the windward watersheds, 2) any gaps in the existing state of knowledge and, 3) guiding the direction of remedial measures if such measures are deemed advisable by the Council. The report has been completed and is available at the Kailua, Kaneohe, and Waimanalo libraries.

In December a request for proposals was advertised for a technical consultant for the next phase of the technical program. Twenty six replies were received. In March 1998 Eugene Dashiell (Environmental Planning) was selected as the technical consultant. He completed a preliminary draft and review and evaluation of research reports and background information about water quality in the Kaneohe, Kailua, and Waimanalo areas. His reports are available on the web.

Mr. Dashiell has reviewed the proposal from Peter Adler to prepare for, facilitate and report on three community meetings held in June 1998 for the Kailua, Kaneohe, and Waimanalo watersheds. He has also reviewed a proposal to publicize the community meetings from John Knox. Both are being retained for their services in assisting with the community meetings.

The Council has heard from several community members regarding concerns in their communities. A mini-grant program has been offered (thirteen proposals were received), with grants up to $2,500 to community organizations to address these concerns. Grants have been awarded to the following organizations:

Friends of He’eia State Park c/o Carole J. McLean

                Project Title: Malama He’eia

Hui Malama Aina O Waimanalo c/o Laulani Teale

                Project Title: Laulima 1

‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi c/o Benton Kealii Pang

            Project Title: Malama I Ko Hauwahine Ahupua’a - Preserving              Hauwahine’s Ahupua’a: A proposal to protect the Kawainui               watershed and cultural site restoration at Kailua, O’ahu

Waimanalo Health Center c/o Lisa Ferentinos

            Project Title: E Konea Ka Wai (Restore the Waters to Health)

The Implementation Program

The implementation phase will be sequenced after other projects are completed.

The Volunteer Water Quality Program

Donna Ashizawa has been hired as the Volunteer Water Quality Program Coordinator and has taken an office in Kaneohe. She has begun her preliminary research and community outreach work, met with various community leaders, organizations, and has attended public meeting on the windward side to determine the issues of concern to each community. She has created a mailing and phone list of interested parties.

Ms. Ashizawa has been actively working with the community at many levels. Some examples of her work are mentioned here, however for details the VWQPC reports should be referenced on the web. The Girl and Boy scouts on the windward side have shown interest in a water quality project merit badge program. She has assisted the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation’s Quarry Road cleanups. In collaboration with YES and the Citizen Action Project she has arranged beach cleanups at Waimanalo and storm drain stenciling in Kaneohe, Kailua, and Waimanalo. A table publicizing the KBAC was set up in April for the annual Keiki Fest, where she helped kids locate their watershed on a map.

Ms. Ashizawa is investigating the possibility of using a Global Positioning System to begin mapping and surveying stream areas. She presents activity reports at each meeting.

KBAC Council Members:

* Troy Falardeau - January ‘97 replaced by Karen Archibald

- October ‘97 replaced by Elaine Murphy

* Darwin Hamamoto - February ’97 replaced by Roland Libby, Jr.

* Steve Holmes

* Jeffrey Harris

* Mark Heckman

* Edward Laws

* Fred Madlener

* Christine Woolaway