Kailua Bay council seeks
comments on water plan

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By Diana Leone
dleone@starbulletin.com

Do people want to seek state or federal protection for Kaneohe, Kailua and Waimanalo bays?

Should there be a permanent group that watches over water-quality issues in the Koolaupoko region?

Do they agree with the assessment of the region's water-quality problems and potential solutions that are outlined in the recently completed Kailua Bay Advisory Council Draft Master Plan?

The Kailua Bay Advisory Council begins a series of four public meetings tomorrow in Kailua to get comment on the recently released master plan.

The nonprofit, private entity was created as part of the settlement of a lawsuit against the City of Honolulu by four environmental groups that were concerned about pollution in Kailua Bay.

Since then, the council has compiled volumes of information about the surface water, both salt and fresh, of the broader Koolaupoko region. It has commissioned scientific studies, collected water samples and surveyed residents.

The council's conclusions are available to the public at all Koolaupoko public libraries and online at www.kbac-hi.org under "Reports." The council has contracts with four community groups, spending $100,000 for projects over the coming year, and is reviewing additional proposals.

Existing projects are:

>> Ke Kula O Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public School: Involves students in ecosystem restoration, including planting native plants at Aala Point and working in the Hamakua wetland area in Kailua.

>> Healthy Hawaii Coalition: Is developing curriculum for elementary schools that teaches how everyone can help improve water quality over the long term.

>> Hui Malama O Ke Kai: Promotes organic farming and other practices to reduce chemical runoff into streams. It involves community members and students at three Waimanalo schools.

>> Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi: Works to restore Kawainui Marsh, the largest wetland on Oahu.

Meeting schedule All meetings to be held 6:30 to 9 p.m.: >> Monday, Aikahi Elementary School cafeteria, 281 Ilihau St., Kailua. >> Thursday, Windward Community College, Hale Kuhina, Room 107, 45-720 Keaahala Road, Kaneohe. >> March 19, Waimanalo Public Library, 41-1320 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo. >> March 21, KEY Project, 47-200 Waihee Road, Kaneohe. For more information, contact Maile Bay at 225-9210 or mbay@hawaii.rr.com.