Current Projects
The Office of the Environmental Coordinator (OEC) responds to a steady flow of daily action items, addressing environmental concerns and acting as Mayor's liaison to community organizations and attending public meetings. In addition, we are pursuing multiple long term projects.
Recycling
We are assisting the recycling office in working with landowners, planners, and the community in establishing new recycling sites in West and South Maui, and with other county recycling issues.
Watershed Partnerships
The OEC is helping with initial planning for the new South Maui Watershed group, and investigating a broad scope of projects and funding possibilities. The OEC replaced Mele Carroll as County representative and voting member in the East Maui Watershed Partnership. Earlier this year, The OEC signed a statewide watershed partnership letter to the Governor and legislators, urging invasive species funding without raiding the Natural Area Reserve System funding. The OEC also attends periodic meetings regarding the West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership.
Invasive Species
Coqui Frogs
Our office helped lobby for a Hawai`i Invasive Species Council funding allocation for Coqui frog control, which resulted in three new positions for the Maui Invasive Species Committee. The OEC advocated that $50K from the Emergency Environmental Fund grant be directed to MISC to help with citric acid spraying supplies for Coqui frog eradication. We continue to work with the community, media, MISC, and HISC, and have done educational presentations regarding the Coqui frog. The Office of the Environmental Coordinator regularly submitted testimony in support of legislation regarding Coqui frog eradication funding. the OEC has been working with the community to distribute citric acid (for frog eradication) and frog control information, as well as assisting in organization of neighborhood frog squads, such as the Kokomo Frog Squad.
Invasive Species Ordinance
Our office has transmitted a draft ordinance packet to County agencies for review, prior to introducing this measure to County Council for consideration of adopting the ordinance as law. The OEC has been working with MCC Bio-290 class for the past 14 months in drafting this legislation.
Coastal
Wetlands
Our office is addressing various concerns, including invasive mangroves, hyacinth, and pistia. We watch for over-development and mitigation proposals in wetland regions, particularly in South Maui. The OEC is investigating new possibilities for wetland protection and management through an "Adopt-A-Wetlands" program. We have met regularly with Maui Coastal Land Trust, Ducks Unlimited, US Fish and Wildlife, and others involved in wetland protection. Our office is seeking grant funding to support the La`ie Wetlands Restoration Project in central Kihei, just south of St Theresa's Church.
La`ie Wetlands Restoration Project
Ahihi-Kina`u/Keone`o`io
The OEC attends advisory group hearings and works with rangers on individual issues, such as placement of boulders on roadways to mitigate degradation from parking and trail overuse.
Seaweed Study
The OEC manages the University of Hawai`i algae research project as a portion of an Environmental Protection Agency grant. We work with Highways Division to stage seaweed
removal containers adjacent to affected areas in Waipuilani region of North Kihei.
Beach Nourishment Grants
 Our office assists in planning for various appropriate beach restoration efforts, including the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's new educational facility with a beach restoration component. Regular coordination and consultation takes place with Sea Grant Coastal Geologist Zoe Norcross-Nu`u.
Coastal Land Acquisition
We continue to work with Maui Coastal Land Trust, Trust for Public Land, Budget Office, Finance, and County Council, for acquisitions such as Waihe`e Dairy property and Mu`olea Point.
Storm Runoff
The OEC co-facilitated the Sierra Club Blue Water Campaign training in Kihei and on Molokai. Our office participated in the NEMO workshop (Non-point Education for Municipal Officials), and helped establish South Maui Watershed planning effort.
Marine and Harbors
Kahului Harbor
The OEC reviewed the Draft Environmental Assessment for proposed Harbor improvements and wrote official comments, requesting a full EIS study. Also, we reviewed the Harbor 2025 Master Plan in light of cruise ship and Superferry proposed increased uses. The OEC has met with concerned members of three North Shore canoe clubs.
Superferry
The OEC has been meeting with officials at private and public meetings. Our office is working to acquire and disseminate information not readily available to the public. We have discussed the issue on local radio and at community meetings.
Thrillcraft Ban
The OEC has worked with HIHWNMS and lobbied Ed Case and Senator Inouye to uphold the thrillcraft ban, during whale season in Sanctuary waters.
Ma`alaea Pumpout
Our office sought detailed information through a boaters questionnaire, and helped establish the County of Maui's Ma`alaea Harbor Sewage Pump-out Program. Responding to strong advocacy by the "Pump, Don't Dump" citizens group, we are currently working to assist in interim wastewater pumpout efforts. Our office has worked with the Office of Economic Development, State, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kihei Community Association, Tri-Isle RC&D, and boaters.
An initial County investment of $30,000 has been leveraged and has grown to $160,000, thanks to a grant from Hawaii Tourism Authority, and funds from DLNR, NOAA, and Tri-Isle. We have collaborated with County Council and community members to develop and pass a resolution urging the State to expedite and fund pump-out efforts. Harbor improvements, including an arterial wastewater pump-out facility, are targeted for completion in Feb., 2009, according to the DLNR/ Harbors engineers. The pumpout program will likely keep our nearshore waters and humpback whale sanctuary free of effluent from vessels until that time.
Cruise Ship Task Force
As a CSTF member, The OEC participated in forty meetings over eighteen months with stakeholders and interested groups. In August, 2005, the CSTF released a final report of findings and recommendations. This report can be accessed by clicking on the Mayor's Cruise Ship Task Force - Final Report
.
Other
Environmental Review
Our office performs an ongoing review of Environmental Assessments (EA's), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS's), Special Management Area permits (SMA's) and other permit applications for various projects.
Biodiesel
The Environmental Coordinator helped establish B-20 fuel at Maui County baseyards, and introduced Norwegian Cruise Lines to Pacific Biodiesel, thereby establishing cooking oil recycling for Pride of Aloha ship.
Community Work Day
Our office attends monthly Program Committee meetings and manages CWD's Highway Beautification grant.
Illegal Dumping
We are working closely with Community Work Day and DPWEM/ Solid Waste Division to seek solutions, and we file Requests For Service (RFS) as necessary when directed by environmental complaints from citizens.
Maui Nui Botannical Garden
We are assisting in bringing expansion plans and other concerns to County and community, and our office is a participant in the annual MNBG Earth Day Celebration.
Na Wai Eha
 Our office has been coordinating meetings with Mayor, departments, and hui members to discuss instream flow studies and other concerns. The OEC appeared on the OHA/ `Olelo TV show in Honolulu in December 2004, which was rebroadcast on Akaku.
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