I.                   Natural Resources Inventory

Natural Resource

Description

Kane‘ohe Bay

Kane‘ohe Bay

The largest embayment in the Hawaiian Islands, Kane‘ohe Bay contains almost half of the shoreline of the Ko‘olaupoko District, extending from Kualoa to Kane‘ohe.  Kane‘ohe Bay is a very long lagoon contained within the Ko‘olaupoko District, is the only true barrier reef in Hawai‘i, and has the greatest concentration of patch reefs in the Hawaiian Islands.

Islands in Kane‘ohe Bay

Kekepa

Turtleback Rock.  State Bird Sanctuary.

Moku o Loe

22-acre island, State-owned by the University of Hawai‘i (SOEST) and Pauley-Pagen Laboratory. Home of the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology. Originally 11 acres, previous private owners of Moku O Loe (known as Coconut Island) dredged the surrounding coral reefs to expand the island to its current size and add ponds.

Moku Manu

"Bird Island" located northeast off of Mokapu Peninsula – a State Bird Refuge.

Mokulea

Small island made up of consolidated dune sand located in Kane‘ohe Bay off of Mokapu Peninsula.

Ahu o Laka

Part of the barrier reef system, this sand bar is a popular spot for many recreational and commercial boaters.

Barrier Reef

This reef complex system extends across the mouth of Kane‘ohe Bay and includes the channels at the north and south ends. The central barrier reef flat accommodates most of the recreational activity.

Kapapa Island

Part of the barrier reef system

North Kane‘ohe Bay Watershed

Kualoa sub-watershed

Kualoa (long-back) is a longish plain lacking perennial streams. It forms a narrow land strip between the sea and the precipitous Pali-ku (Erect cliff). Kualoa has a broad lagoon but hardly any beach.

Kualoa State Park

This park, at the northern point of the Kane‘ohe Bay, provides most of the active public shoreline access and the only white sand beach. The public enjoys camping, fishing, swimming and views of the watershed and bay.

Mokoli‘i

Also known as Chinaman's Hat, Mokoli‘i, is an isolated remnant of Ko‘olau's basalts (sea stacks).

Hakipu‘u sub-watershed

Hakipu‘u (Broken-hill) is a lush valley with a small coastal plain facing a broad lagoon well guarded by an unbroken reef. There is one sizeable intermittent stream, a swamp and an outback of little valleys.

Hakipu‘u Stream

A natural stream that has not been modified in any major way.

Moli‘i fishpond

124-acre historic Hawaiian fishpond still in production. Adjacent to the mouth of Hakipu‘u Stream.

Waikane sub-watershed

Waikane (Water-of-Kane) with an annual rainfall of 112 inches, has a sizable stream running back into the valley. The watershed is broad in the mauka areas and funnels through a narrow valley as it drains through wetlands into the Bay.

Waikane Stream

The Waikane Stream, draining the sub-area, is a perennial stream formed by two large streams flowing down from the 3,000-foot Ko‘olau range. Although its headwaters are diverted by the Waiahole Ditch Tunnel, the rest of the stream and its tributary, Waikeekee, is relatively natural without channelization.

Waiahole sub-watershed

(Water-of-the-Ahole-fish) This continuous broad coastal plain, with arable upland slopes (kula) below the sheer mountain wall and rough lower wao (forest area), is broken by transverse ridges running seaward, and also by several streams. Waiahole is developed with mostly small farms and residences.

Waiahole Beach Park

This park lies between the mouths of Waiahole and Waikane streams and is currently undeveloped with no maintained facilities.

Waiahole Stream

Waiahole is Ko‘olaupoko’s largest unmodified stream that flows without channelization to the bay, but is diverted at its headwaters by the Waiahole Ditch Tunnel.

Waihee Watershed

(Octopus-Water) Practically continuous with the Kahaluu watershed, is often included as part of it.

Waihee Marsh

A federally-designated wetland. It serves as a sedimentation basin and provides flood control protection.

Waihee Stream

The stream's headwaters lie in a natural, undeveloped amphitheater against the mountain wall, and converges with two other major streams by way of the Kahalu‘u flood control lagoon.

Waihee Valley Nature Park

Contains 4 exotic species and 5 native species (including Hawaiian prawn, o‘opu and aholehole)

Kaalaea Watershed

(The Ocherous-Earth) This valley has many springs that once fed irrigated flats of lo‘i.

Halamoa stream

Fed by a freshwater spring, the stream supports a federally-designated wetland in the lower reaches, and flows through agricultural lands primarily used for grazing.  It has not been modified to any large extent.

Kahalu‘u Watershed

(Diving-Place) Kahalu‘u has a mostly sheltered shore length behind low coastal hills broken up by a major winding perennial stream.  This watershed is almost continuous with Waihee sub watershed.

Kahalu‘u Beach Park

An undeveloped park situated at the mouth of the flood control lagoon.  It has a minimal boat ramp for shallow draft boats.  Plans are underway to develop this area into a Kahalu‘u regional park.

Kahalu‘u stream

This stream runs through the periphery of urban areas, primarily residences and small farms.  The middle and over reaches are channelized and it enters the bay through the Kahalu‘u flood control lagoon.

Laenani Beach Park

This park is small and most often used as a playground with visual access to Kane‘ohe Bay.  It has a small boat ramp but no parking for trailers. This ramp is only usable for shallow draft boats at high tide.

South Kane‘ohe Bay Watershed

He‘eia Watershed

(Washed-Away) Its major streams drain Haiku Valley, passing through a wetland and historic fishpond before entering the bay.

He‘eia Wetlands

These wetlands are some of the largest in the state.  With extensive shoreline salt marshes unsuitable for cultivation, He‘eia wetlands provide natural habitat for endemic and endangered species and serves as a natural flood control and water purifier.

He‘eia Fishpond

Historic preservation site; recently in aquaculture production.  Exchanges directly with Kane‘ohe Bay.

He‘eia State Park

He‘eia State Park occupies most of Ke Alohi Point.  It has a visitor center, provides educational activities, and has spectacular views of Kane‘ohe Bay.  The Friends of He‘eia, a non-profit organization provides educational and interpretive programs at the park.

He‘eia Stream

He‘eia Stream is a perennial stream that drains Haiku and Iolekaa Valleys.

Kane‘ohe Watershed

The watershed of Kane‘ohe, (Bamboo husband) about 11,500 acres (46.6 km2), is a wet area with lush vegetation drained by a series of mostly perennial streams.  Average rainfall is approximately 40-60 inches (100-150 cm) annually.  Because the watershed boundary is composed of steep cliffs ( the Pali), drainage after heavy rainfall is very rapid.

Ke‘ahala Stream

A perennial stream that is intermittent in the upper reaches.

Waikalua Fishpond

The fishpond, with a water surface area of approximately 11 acres, is situated between Kane‘ohe Stream and Kawa Stream.  The fishpond is in active use for community outreach and water quality education.

Kane‘ohe-Kamooalii Stream

Primary-draining system of the Kane‘ohe Watershed.

Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden

Gardens recently reserved and established by the City and County of Honolulu.  Major site for floodwater dam control.

Kawa Stream

Perennial stream that has been extensively channelized, and is designated a Water Quality Limited Segment.

Kailua Bay Watershed

Mokapu Peninsula

Occupied by and managed by the Marine Corps Air Station (KMCAS).  Contains an airport and supporting housing and training ranges.

Pu‘u Hawaiiloa

Crater on the Mokapu Peninsula

Kuau (Pyramid Rock)

Most Northern tip of the Mokapu Peninsula

Ulupau Crater

"Fumes growing up".  Crater on Mokapu Peninsula

Pu‘u o Kahai

Tallest peak on Mokapu Peninsula.

Kaluapuhi Pond

24-acre pond connected with Kailua Bay

Halekou Pond

2-acre pond

Kawai Nui Watershed

Maunawili Valley

Maunawili valley contains many streams and springs that feed into Kawai Nui Marsh.

Maunawili Stream

Largest natural water source in Maunawili Valley, this stream drains the valley into Kawai Nui Marsh Park, forming a large, brackish muliwai (a stream mouth isolated from the sea).  A sand bar that helps the muliwai form is present during periods of low stream flow.

Ka‘elepulu Pond

A major sedimentation retention basin co-owned by the Enchanted Lake Homeowner's Association and the City and County of Honolulu.

Kawai Nui Marsh

"The big freshwater pond" is the largest wetland in the state, the 830-acre Kawai Nui Marsh is a major wetland ecosystem and also functions as a large sedimentation basin.

Oneawa Canal

The marsh originally flowed to the sea via the Kaiwai Nui Canal, also known as the Oneawa Canal.  In 1996, the Kawai Nui Flood Control Project was completed to ease flooding and flow rate is about 10 million gallons per day.

Pali Look-out

Overlooks almost the entire amphitheater-shaped Ko‘olau caldera. Spectacular views of steep, pali slopes with moderate to heavy erosion as it descends into the valley and out to the sea.

Aniani Nui Ridge

Emerging from the Ko‘olau Peaks, this ridge demarcates the northwest Kailua Watershed boundary as it transitions to the coastal plain.

Olomana Ridge

A series of foothills with a popular hiking trail, including Olomana, Ahiki, and Pakui peaks.

Olumawao

High point on the ridge that borders the central portion of the Kailua and Kane‘ohe Watersheds. The ridge includes other lower peaks: Puu O Ehu, Mahinui and Pu‘a Papa‘a

Kailua Bay

Kailua Beach

The predominant shoreline is calcareous beach sand. Reef is poorly developed and generally absent. Most popular recreational beach on Windward O‘ahu.

Islands in Kailua Bay

Popo‘i‘a (Flat Island)

Limestone islet of raised reef rock, established as a Bird Sanctuary.

Mokolea

Limestone islet comprised of raised reef rock established as a sea bird nesting ground sanctuary. Cones of mostly basalts resulting from secondary volcanic eruptions.

Lanikai Beach (Kaohao)

Once rated as "the best beach in the world", this beach is experiencing serious coastal erosion challenges.

Mokulua Islands

"Twin islands" off Lanikai.  Isolated remnants of Ko‘olau basalts (sea stacks). Today, primarily used by surfers and as a destination for recreational kayakers.  Protected State Bird Refuge.

Waimanalo Bay Watershed

Wailea Point

Also known as Popo‘oka‘ala, Wailea Point is a volcanic headland marking the western end of Waimanalo Bay.

Makapu‘u Point

Peninsula formed by secondary volcanic eruption. Most southeastern point of the Ko‘olaupoko Mountain Range.

Bellows Air Force wetlands

A military installation, but primarily used for recreational activities but does have a small inactive airfield.

Pahonu Pond

Once an enclosure for turtles, the pond is a line of stones submerged at high tide, but visible at low tide; it is still visible today across from Sea Life Park.

Waimanalo Stream

A perennial stream and the primary drainage for the Valley.  Tributaries include Kahawi and Inoaole streams, both intermittent.

Waimanalo Bay

Waimanalo Beach

Waimanalo Beach is a spectacular stretch of sandy shoreline on O‘ahu with an overall length of nearly 5.5 miles (8.8 km).  Waimanalo Beach is a popular sun-bathing and swimming area, especially where its sandy bottom slopes gently offshore.  Shoreline access permits moderate to heavy fishing for ulua, papio, weke, and ‘o‘io along the length of Waimanalo Bay.

Waimanalo Reef

A wide, submerged barrier-type of reef extending offshore of Waimânalo Bay.  Depths exceeding 30 ft (10 m) occur in a broad, lagoon-like depression behind the margin.

Islands in Waimanalo Bay

Manana (Rabbit Island)

Small gray volcanic island with very little vegetation located just off shore of Makapu‘u Point.  Popularly known as "Rabbit Island", it was once the home to numerous wild rabbits.

Kaohi-kaipu Island

Basaltic cone located south of Rabbit Island, established as a bird sanctuary and refuge.