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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 1008.000 2020-2022J tV OF s,Susan L.K. Lee Loy Office: (808)961-8396 n 1d' Council Member Fax: (808)965-8912 Email: sue.leelo hawaiicounDistrict3YG tyovg HAWAVI COUNTY COUNCIL 25 Aupuni Street,Hilo,Hawaii 96720 MEMORANDUM 3 DATE: September lb, 2022 m TO: Maile David, Council Chair; and Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: VJWSusan L.I . Lee Loy, Council Member SUBJECT: Project Genki Hou PowerPoint Presentation I am requesting approximately 45 minutes for a presentation and discussion with project coordination team members Hiromichi Nago, Tim Lloyd, and Susan Osborne regarding Project Genki Hou. Their presentation will address the environmental benefits of"genki balls," its success on the Ala Wal Canal in Honolulu, and an upcoming project at the Lili`uokalani Waihonu Pond. I kindly request that this matter be placed on the October 4, 2022, Committee on Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy&Environmental Management agenda. SLLJv Comma No. Ref. o: Hawaii County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer Ref' Doto 's Q 4 alvvvit Genki Ala Wai Project Hiromichi Nago, Technical Advisor County of Hawaii Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management Committee Project update October 4, 2022 Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation A systemic approach that empowers all stakeholders in the ahupua' a to be involved in solution strategies will be used to address ecosystem restoration and flood mitigation in the watershed.Academic institutions ( K- 12) will develop meaningful place- based STEM education. Students, teachers, community and other stakeholders must work together to accomplish the project goal. 02 A I IEI rySCM1oaI 05 S—. 1 I 4 l h= M1 S M1oa1 I i K 1 y 7rys1M1, 12- L 111 E--- 13 I IS M Seh I Mryk IfS M1oolrc G s N Y 5 c 1wu1 pR/ F ' 22- 5 nck S.. M1ool Y C O p 4- 5 Pf IkS M1wYtl m'SeM1OM YT W. sklk 0...... Mitl 1c S h— Iq{ qNl Leadership : Dr. Kenneth Kaneshiro, Principal Investigator, Pres. of the ( HESF), Dir. of Center for Conservation Research & Training, U. H . Ian Pelayo, Project Manager Mary Ann Kobayashi, Educational Coordinator Hiromichi Nago, Technical Advisor Chikako Nago, Business Liaison and Social Media Coordinator Fumiko Sato- Chun, Community and Media Liaison The Genki Ala Wai Project Students, teachers, and the community working together. The purpose of the project: The Genki Ala Wal Project aims to use bioremediation technology to make the Ala Wai Canal fishable and swimmable within seven years." How will we measure the project' s effectiveness? We need baseline data and end goal measurements for these parameters:Water quality Bacteria levels Sludge levels Toxicity levels in fish tissue samples of x r. ry n i 4 1r I! asp, n Mro. Bio- Remediation : The use of living organ isms ( e. g. bacteria) to remove pollutants from soil, water, and wastewater. r r 1 otrients non- toxic end products Bioremediation USE OF EM° MUDBALLS: Aka " Genki Balls" by the Osaka Fisherman Cooperative Genki means Healthy or Vital in Genki Balls Japanese w To digest sludge, EM" must reach the bottom of the canal. This is accomplished by throwing tennis- ball sized, dried mud balls that contain a mixture of EM• 1", clay soil, molasses, rice bran and water into the canal. According to the USDA, one j teaspoon of healthy soil contains up to t . one billion individual bacteria. Soil provides a " home" for EM' . Once embedded in the surface of the sludge, the fermentative bacteria digest and oxygenate the sludge. At the same time, phototrophic bacteria will a ; consume the harmful gases so foul odors would be contained i. State Department of Health Clean Water Branch Permit No. HI 0021938 effective November 25, 2019 Jefferson Elementary school site at Ala Wai Elementary School site in front stagnant end of the canal Community Gardens City & County of Honolulu Water Quality Laboratory assisting with independent wate r q u a I ity tests Jefferson Elementary school site Ala Wai Elementary School site in front at stagnant end of the canal Community Gardens K z m Data is being collected at two test sites by Genki Ala Wal Project participants, as well as by the Hawaii State Department of Health and the City and County of Honolulu' s Water Quality lab. The Jefferson Elementary School test site is located at 2101679. 5%, 157° 49' 03. 7" W, nearthe Waikiki- Kapahulu Public Library. Students from Jefferson elementary school first introduced Genki Balls on November 27th, 2019 and December 6th, 2019. The Ala Wai Elementary School test site is located at 21017' 04. 6" N, 157049' 40. 4" W, near the Ala Wai Neighborhood December 7th, 2021 Park. Students from Ala Wai elementary school first Ala Wai Canal brown after 10- year rain. introduced Genki Balls on November 27th, 2019. 101_ .................................. Chinese• SS 21° 16' 29. 5% 157449' D3. 7W W 21417' 04. 6' N 157' 49' 40. 4' W loluni tView larger map R P View larger map Harry and d Weinberg 6 ndham Royal Resorts at the en at Waikiki Twin T:,.; a i Banyan Canal HousCondornlrllurTlS House Waikiki- Kapahulu Tonkatsu T•• ssadors.. Public( Library/ Japa..__-_' s Waikiki 19s f y Inn Express a yon R, El 9 Texaco i, an IHG a ode A- - 1 Head Vista 4' 47 Al Wal Go gle e Go gle Canai- Fishery Ala_ Wai Doy 1ceyUoak shortcuts Map data X2622 Google Terms aE use Repulr a map error Keyboard shortcuts Map data X2022 Google Terms of use Report a map error m Data is being collected at two test sites by Genki Ala Wai Project participants, as well as by the Hawaii State Department of Health and the City and County of Honolulu' s Water Quality lab. The Jefferson Elementary School test site is located at 21016' 29. 5" N, 157049' 03. 7" W, near the Wai ki ki- Ka pahu I u Pu L) i IC Library. Students from Jefferson elementary school first Introduced Genki Balls on November 27th, 2019 and December 6th, 2019. The Ala Wai Elementary School test site is located at 21017' 04. 6" N, 157049' 40. 4' W, near the Ala Wai Neighborhood December 12th, 2021 Park. Students from Ala Wai elementary school first Ala Wai returns to normal in 5 days after brown water. introduced Genki Balls on November 27th, 2019. a._ Mouse Chinese• SS Tlana Lanais Condos 21` 1629. 5" N 1 57` 49' D3. 7 W W 21' 17' 04. 6' N 157° 49' 40. 4W lolani View larger map p p View larger map Harry and d Resorts at the 9 ndham Royal Twin Tourers Weinberg 6 Banyan Canal Houseen at Waikiki p Condominiums ssadorWaikiki Ka ahulu TonkatsuT f Public Library/ Japa-----' S Waikiki yan y Inn Express eTexaco I, an IHG i Head Vista a` c sq, Aft Wai Go gle a Go gle Canal Fishery Ala Wai Doy. Kayboard shortc" ts Map data 02022 soogle Terms of use Report a map error keyboard shortads flap data® 2022 Google Tierms of use rteport a map error Why test for enterococci? Enterococcl are bacterial indicators to test for the presence . colony-formingrming units ( c- fu) indicate possible water contaminationof ! i K • Site 11. 25. 19 01. 28. 2 D X2. 08. 21 C17.( 7. 1 11. 2. 1 C12. 09. 2 Jefferson 1 1 J ElementaryDeployment cfu cf u fu cfu cf u cfu ElementaryDow nstrea m cf cf Dep agmen cfu cfu fu cfu cf cfu ElementaryDaw nstrea m cf cf Why test i oxygen saturation? Dissolved • .` of water productivity. . dissolved y •` indicate healthierwater systems, while ower dissolved oxygen levels can indicate a degree of water on. Jefferson r p,/ DeploymentJefferson p DownstreamDeploymentAla WalDownstream Why test for indicateSaHnity is a measurement of the amount of salt in water, in parts per thousand ( ppt). Lower sa I inity levels can r be caused by heavy rain. Jefferson J J. li a Deployment k k Elementary i i Downstream Pt PP IPP PR PP PP PP ElementaryDownstrea Why test for • Although Clostridium perfringens( cp) is not an Environmental Protection Agency( EPA) recommended indicator, the Department of Health has been using a geometric mean of greater than 50 • indicate a potentW highA A Site J11. 25. 19 01, 28. 20 02. OB. 21 07. 07. 21 11. 22. 21 02. 09. 22 ElementaryDeployment C u Cela JeffersonElementaryQawnstream C Ala WaiDeployment C LJ C' lrl C LJ C' LJ C LJ Qc wnstream C V Ala Wai Elementary Area 2 04. 06. 21 05. 21. 21 07. 07. 21 II. OZM 10. 011 8. 0116. 011 6. 011 INC r uuuuuuuuuuwwun Wl!771f1 Why test for sludge depth? Sludge represents organic waste that accumulates from biological processes. Normally sludge is digested and broken down into non- toxic compounds, but when the environment is not healthy, sludge can build upto harmful levels. 3efferson Elementary Test Site 04. 17. 22 t 23. 011 21 . 0 11 I 8511 5. 011 Ala Wal Elementary Test Shte i / 02. 03M i 6. 0" 11111" MIluu Yid '•'” m i J f fu II r Hands- on Jefferson Elementarykin Outdoor making Fun 1500 Genki Balls to help Easy to do — if organized restore the Ala Wcanal Learning Activity n n m int dam A:- 11 I a a. s r x 77y_'. a TI a+ .+'_' fes, y .. • u r y a y y a { mow.s z eF..+ s. v G r; h... Photo' s & video' s of Honu seen in the Ala Wai canal a 111 Nov. 18, 2021 July 23, 2021 c December 7th, 2021 t December 7th, 2021 Ala Wai Canal brown after 10- year rain. P /_ 1- 1..,' N'; C l_. ar) a l.] C;' L' 4'} t L.{ I: 1- V GC I} l}.t n k 41 P u yV Y December 12th, 2021 December 12th, 2021 Ala Wai returns to normal in 5 days after brown water, Ala Wai returns to normal in 5 days with help from November toss. Ala Wai Blvd. walking path. Bioremediation can improve water quality Dec. 6, 2019 sludge covered reef- 9 days after Genki ball toss, exposing some sand r i : - sem, s cAlt 11 days after Rotary Genki ball toss Kapahulu site April 13, 2022 mm 744. w r p s P Ayyjy $ 1 Y _ MiA' M^ C / r., L4.. a.. P a ` ' bn." Y zu r y : M' f i' it ' ,...' • x[ 11 w. S WA) 0 a Vila www. genkialawai . or emhawaii . com a nr B Y s Oil .. y ,, h l:• s ny. a A JL L: rte. lr /, rt a. r 4i c lot- VSs- Genki Hou : To Thrive Again ! Help Clean Up Waihonu Pond of the Lili' uokalani Gardens! Project Coordinators Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset Rotary Club of South Hilo Rotary Club of Hilo In collaboration with : Friends of Liliu' okalani Gardens 5r Eco Rotary Club of Kaka' ako Rotary Club of Hiroshima Clean the Ho' oulu Lahui ( 501c3) V pond Kua O Ka La Charter School County of Hawaii Genki Hou Outreach while celebrating our Queen Lili' uokalani` s birthday GENKI HOU : TO THRIVE AGAIN ! Our beloved 5 acre traditional fish pond with surrounding park ( 21 acres) is enjoyed by all residents visitors alike! 250, 000 users annually! t77 i POP$ w 4 p u SRR Top Priority of Friends of Lili' uokalani Gardens: I EAN WAIHONU POND ! UH Hilo has been collecting water samples for the past several years. Bi- monthly groups have been coming to remove sludge with no end in sight while the putrid smells impact all park users. The presence of dye in Waihonu suggests that there could be leaks from the sewer system, either from the feeder system or the main sewer line on Banyan Drive. 7/ 2020 report Dye Tracer Test, UH Hilo Lance Niimi, Jennifer Ido, and Rep. and Mrs. Chris Todd Helping to remove mud from the corner near the" new" makaha. w rte^ t M« ` W 1 r. '.. .''' r G 1 r 1• U x r . w j7^- AYE S`:• r r:.: 1 110President of A! W g Friends of r Lili' uokalani sem" tn„ : r,;+ Gardens M1 µ GENKI BALLS utilize effective microorganisms to remediate sludqe, which forms and accumulates due to oxygen deficiency. In the sludqe, putrefactive bacteria decompose organic matter, but also w produce harmful qases such as methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. These compounds produce a toxic putrid environment of sludge ( rotten, organic x' r material) forms and accumulates. R C7ENKI BALLS Over 1 000 balls to be tossed in y tl. 3 sessions! With every ball tossed we shout GENKI HOU ! Utilizing native wisdom of the Hawaiian moon calendar, we will make the Geniki balls on the new Hilo moon to inoculate for one month prior to the first ball toss ( Dec 3rd, 2022). Second toss will take place in March and the third toss will occur in May during the Statewide Rotary District f Y Conference, with 200 persons expected to attend ( May 2023).The participating Rotary clubs will seek media attention and demonstrate the project success in our efforts to lay the foundation for long term project planning and sustainability beyond the initial 3 ball tosses. Location Map For The First 3 Ball Tosses w t, Initial 3 tosses 40, s target HALF the pond todemonstrateproof of concept, rU effectiveness a and impact by z comparison, Volunteers to facilitate check in at entrance for development of Geini ball long term toss locations Gard8 instruc"- j Uhuokalanit tions strategic plan for m ifcontinuedrestoration and lie, too, management. Educational Components Hiro Nago, of the Genki Ala Wai Project, and Hawai ' i Island EM Distributor, Tim Lloyd, will provide education on the Effective Microorganisms ( EM) process to participants during the genki ball making sessions to Rotary club members, Kua O Ka La Kumu ( teachers), ohana and haumana ( students). Tim Lloyd will provide the Kumu of Kua O Ka La with 21 Professional Development hours, earning them 3 credits ( of 1S) towards a ` step up` increase in salary and important knowledge will be gained to share with future students. Kua O Ka La haumana in the Agriculture and Science classes will also receive Effective Microorganism and bio- remediation education. Project Cost & Council Contingency Request The 501 c3 non- profit Ho' oulu Lahui is submitting the request for funding for this project. Ho' oulu Lahui, a 25 year educational entity has managed over 13 million in grant funding and is the fiscal sponsor for Kua O Ka La Charter School. Kua O Ka La has been formally adopted by the Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset as a long term project and the Charter school is also a corporate member of the Club. Kua O Ka La will be one of the key collaborator in the project, with teachers, students and ' ohana learning about Effective Microorganisms, making genki balls and drying the balls in the schools large greenhouse and participating in the ball toss events! Our request for $ 6, 000. 00 includes funding for supplies, instruction, travel, food and banners. A detailed budget with in- kind donations of over $ 3, 000. 00 is available. LONG TERM PROJECT PLANNING As we work through the initial project planning and process, we will begin to envision the long- term strategic plan necessary for project sustainability, including new locations throughout Hilo to clean, rehabilitate and enjoy! FUTURE PROJECTS: Determine other sites: Pohoiki Ponds, Wailoa River, Keaukaha Ponds Engage additional organizations and schools for project management and execution. Invite hotels to develop a financial per guest $ contribution towards genki balls. ( ie. $ 2. 00) Encourage the cruise ships to develop a financial per visitor $ contribution towards genki balls and develop a staple program for departing guests to toss a ball into our polluted Hilo Bay as a MAHALO to Hawaii, while they shout: Genki Hou!! Let' s clean our coastal waters and ponds!