Protecting ocean health by restoring the ʻāina: mauka to makai.
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Who We Are
In 2007, Hui o Koʻolaupoko (HOK) was established as a permanent 501(c) 3 non-profit entity, serving as the successor organization of the Kailua Bay Advisory Council (KBAC) – the organization previously tasked with fulfilling a 1995 Consent Decree from the litigation over the Aikahi Waste Water Treatment Plant. KBAC was responsible for developing a volunteer water quality monitoring program; a technical/scientific program; and an implementation program for on the ground restoration. KBAC established HOK to carry out the responsibilities of the Consent Decree and HOK began by researching and developing the Koʻolaupoko Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS), which provides direction for watershed management in Koʻolaupoko – from Makapuʻu to Kualoa. The WRAS addressed all of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nine elements of watershed plans and the document was approved by the EPA in 2007. Since these beginnings, HOK has been working to achieve the goals outlined in the WRAS by implementing restoration and low impact design projects that ultimately aim at protecting water quality. This is done in partnership with stakeholders including interested citizens, non-governmental organizations, government, educational institutions and businesses while using and focusing on sound ecological principles, community input, and cultural heritage. 
The Problem
Throughout the Koʻolaupoko moku in Windward Oahu, land-based pollution is a leading threat to ocean health and resources. These problems are most often the result of urban development, poor agricultural practices, habitat alterations such as streams lined with concrete, loss of wetlands, non-point source pollution, on-site sewage systems and introduction of non-indigenous flora and fauna all contributing to poor water quality and loss of ecosystem function. Significant pollution including sediments, nutrients, suspended solids, heavy metals and trash. These pollutants have an impact by:
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Hui o Koʻolaupoko focuses primarily in the watersheds of Koʻolaupoko: Waimanalo to Kualoa.
Education and Outreach
In concert with proactively addressing water quality with restoration projects, HOK develops outreach and educational opportunities for multi-generational learning. This includes field trips, in-class room education, outreach presentations, volunteer water quality monitoring and partnerships with local higher educational institutions. Community Involvement HOK’s mission is accomplished in a large part with the support of community volunteers. Every project involves a significant community component from seeking project input, design alternatives or involvement long-term maintenance. Additionally, as a community supported non-profit, tax-deductible donations allow HOK to provide environmental education and perform necessary long-term maintenance at restoration projects, ensuring the protection of ocean health for future generations. Consulting Services Along with HOK’s restoration work in Koʻolaupoko, the organization provides services via a cost recovery basis including technical consultation, restoration design, training and watershed restoration capacity building throughout Oahu and the State of Hawaii. 
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Our Solution
HOK addresses these environmental problems by focusing on community-based watershed restoration. HOK implements on-the-ground projects that directly address watershed and water quality issues. Projects including riparian restoration, low-impact retrofits (LIR) and residential rain gardens are vetted and prioritized to produce the greatest positive impact on water quality and ocean health.
HOK addresses these environmental problems by focusing on community-based watershed restoration. HOK implements on-the-ground projects that directly address watershed and water quality issues. Projects including riparian restoration, low-impact retrofits (LIR) and residential rain gardens are vetted and prioritized to produce the greatest positive impact on water quality and ocean health.
