...also see Contact Us/ Staff
As of September 2003, KBAC consists of:| Appointed by Plaintiff | Appointed by Defendant | |
| Community Group | Jeffrey Harris | Paul Friel |
| Local Organization | Snookie Mello | Toby Rushforth |
| Scientific Community | Mark Heckman | Dr. Andrew Brittain |
| Government Agency | Scott Derrickson | David Nagamine |
...also see Background
KBAC's primary mission is to implement the goals and objectives of the Consent Decree. KBAC will accomplish its mission by adopting an integrated approach to improve water quality for the Ko`olaupoko watershed area. This integrated approach incorporates the concept of ahupua`a into its technical, volunteer water quality monitoring, and the implementation programs.The approach reflects Hawai`i's unique island culture and physical surroundings, all the while recognizing the concept of ahupua`a as a resource management unit.Ahupua`a are units similar to watershed or drainage basins. In ancient times, this unit allowed a growing native population to survive on limited resources and included the forests, kula land, taro lo`i, near shore waters, and reef areas. Conventionally, an ahupua`a represents a land division usually extending from the uplands to the sea.(See Pukui, M.K., and Elbert, S. H., 1986) In certain areas, one ahupua`a may include several drainage basins or watersheds, with boundaries differing from those of the watersheds. Ko`olaupoko watershed areas included Waimanalo, Kailua, and Kane`ohe.
The Ko`olaupoko watershed, comprised of the areas of Kane`ohe, Kailua, and Waimanalo, is a system directly and indirectly impacted by both human activities and natural geology. Pollution includes litter or open dumping, stream bank erosion, and runoff. KBAC intends to address a range of these problems within the resources provided.
Value Statement:
KBAC values knowledge and desires to:
- Build consensus among itself and within the community;
- Serve as a conduit, building partnerships among government agencies, businesses, civic and community groups, and individuals;
- collaborate and coordinate with potential partners;
- leverage information that can address nonpoint source pollution in Ko`olaupoko;
- provide relevant watershed information to interested parties in a fair, unbiased manner that promotes constructive mechanisms for the improvement of water quality;
- distribute information in timely, user-friendly, and cost-effective ways;
- facilitate watershed-wide participation, pooling and mobilizing the resources from the various government agencies, businesses, land owners, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and individuals to collectively address nonpoint source pollution;
- implement performance measures in its contracts for services;
- have a commitment to long-term and sustainable measures that address nonpoint source pollution.
- contribute to the building of capacity for individuals or organizations to become stewards for Ko`olaupoko watershed areas.
- promote openness and inclusiveness that foster sharing technical information, knowledge and databases for collaborative water quality improvement efforts in Ko‘olaupoko communities.
- promote constructive interactions with individuals, groups. or entities with interests that foster addressing water quality problems in Ko‘olaupoko.
- promote the use of world wide web for accessing KBAC information to minimize the administrative costs.
- provide a comprehensive mechanism for sharing knowledge and information with the public, such as:
- the world wide web;
- library reference folders;
- KBAC office hours;>
- KBAC newsletters;
- KBAC sponsored workshops;
- Networking with KBAC members, volunteers, and contractors;
- KBAC's volunteer work events;
- quarterly (at a minimum) public meetings; and
- events and articles documented by mass media; and
- foster the creation of / create a permanent entity that can continue to serve the purpose of KBAC upon its fulfillment of the Consent decree.