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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLISTENING FAIR SUMMARY REPORT 508SUMMARY REPORT ďĉĉķĊðĴř­ĮÐÌ>ðăď­řtÐĮðăÐĊÆÐɪ”­ĴÐīĮ1ÐÌqă­ĊĊðĊæ Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo Hawaiʻi Sponsored by: County of Hawaiʻi & National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Prepared ~y the facilitation team: The "ood /uŸu coö Ćin partnerÁhip with Eco2O"'C ConÁultin‘ 22Cć Content Index 01.Event Summary 02.Project Introductions 03.Participants 07.Community Input-Meaning 09.Community Input-Vision 12.Community Input-Areas of Concern 17.Community Input-Benefits 18.Key Takeaways 20.Next Steps Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair i Event Summary The Hilo Bay Resilience & Watershed Management Community Listening Fair mar¡ed the first step in a community-guided planning process to care for and strengthen the Hilo Bay Õatershed, including Õater ¼uality, healthy ecosystems, and coastal resilienceö The open-house, drop-in format ď a Õelcoming, loÕ-~arrier formatď invited participants to eÚplore at their oÕn pace and offer input to help guide the Community dvisory Committee as they develop a bision and the technical team in their reserchö Colorful hand-lettered Õelcome signs, a festive atmosphere, a Ĕ0ei¡i 0oloring 0ornerĕ refreshments and Ĕtal¡ storyĕ access to county and research staff helped create an inclusive environmentö The input stations Õere designed to harvest community ¡noÕledge, values, and perspectives to help guide three audiencesø the County of HaÕaiʻi, the Community dvisory Committee, and the Hlanning and Technical Teamö s the team ~egins their research and develops a community vision for Hilo Bay, it is essential that they understand Õhat the Õatershed means to those Õho live, Õor¡, and recreate Õithin it ď and Õhat community mem~ers most hope for its futureö The input collected at this event Õill serve as a foundational reference throughout the planning processö Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair 01 Project Introductions While the primary intention of the Listening Fair was to listen — to hear directly from the community and build genuine connection — the event also served as an introduction to the broader Hilo Bay Resilience & Watershed Management planning process. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the project, speak informally with County staff and researchers, and take a first step toward deeper involvement. Community members were invited to join the Community Advisory Committee, a group that will play an active role in shaping the planning vision alongside the technical team. Sign-ups were available at the welcome table and via QR code on the project webpage. 02Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Participants-Home Approximately 67-75 community members attended. Counts were measured by attendees who signed up for e-newsletters at the welcome station (47) and by dots (62) on the interactive check-in stations. Not every attendee signed in and many at the check in stations put single dots to represent their family or partner. As such, some dots represented more than one person. In some cases, dots were layered on top of each other in many areas, making precise counting difficult. Approximate totals are shown in the chart below the poster. 03Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Participants-Motivation Approximately 67-75 community members attended. Participants were invited to place dots in any categories that described their motivation for attending. Multiple selections were allowed, so totals reflect overlapping motivations across all attendees. Other Motivations NOTE: items that were difficult to read are indicated with [unclear].The transcriptions of posts its are shown below. Each bullet represents one post it. Bokashi solution to pollution, mitigate at source, point [unclear] My district & community part of my platform running for county council Dist. 2. SO IMPORTANT ❤ Response if/when CRB reaches Hilo ✓ Public Health & Safety Council Rep. Protect species Invasive species See Miranda I am a water protector & then are in DIRE need legal protection at this juncture. Shared concern over the Hilo "current" waste management practices. Sustainability based on limiting all causes of pollution to protect access to all related resources for all future generations. I work w/the county My daughter is part of the project 🙂 Hawaiʻi Animal Advocacy Disclosures documented information from elected officials To give possible solutions How do people use the term watershed differently? 04Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Participants-Motivation Approximately 67-75 community members attended. (Continued) Represented Hilo town → East Hawaiʻi. Find workable [unclear]. Need clean water regeneration & fishing rights keep [unclear]. Interested in involving this work in a summer camp for keiki Tsunamis & their impact on bay & watershed Break open the wall & let dirty water out Involved in canoe club for people with disabilities Big Island NOW story 8ot‡øK‡„¤in‡sՇr‡©a„‡~ÛUranscri~‡rasa ©‡anstotrac¡‡ac•postittranscriptionasitÕas co©p¤‡t‡„öU•‡ori‘ina¤Ën©ar¡‡„p•otoÕasnot sav‡„ö 05Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Participants-Connection Approximately 67-75 community members attended. Participants indicated how they are connected to the Hilo Bay Watershed. Multiple selections were allowed. Notable “Other” Motivations NOTE: items that were difficult to read are indicated with [unclear].The transcriptions of posts its are shown below. Each bullet represents one post it. Observations of bay My family swims in Hilo Bay every day clean or dirty Family members paddle canoe. We'd like our grandkids to learn to sail here. Would be nice to swim in clean H20 Hawaiʻi Animal Advocacy Farming Farm on Kaiwiki Homestead Rd near Chin Chuck [unclear] Kolekole Stream Swimming in the ocean and brackish ponds Health + wellness take care of environment malama ʻāina Marine science courses at UH utilize the bay often for research & labs EPA WHEJAC and Native Tenant Protection Concil #1774 Recreate in/around Hilo Bay was on early WAG 06Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Meaning Participants were invited to add sticky notes completing the phrase “To me, watershed means…” The responses reveal how community members conceptualize and feel about the watershed, ranging from technical understanding to deeply personal and cultural meanings. The transcriptions of posts its are shown below. Each bullet represents one post it except where otherwise noted, ex: (x3). PROTECTION All important Water flows from Mauna to Makai (affects inhabitants) Life, health, ecosystem, nature Protect the source (from Wailuku river) watershed Area that holds water for community which is protected Aquifers located Hawaii Island An ecosystem needing management Do Not Tax Rainwater Disclosures for all water sources How to protect water from data centers No!! Data Centers!! No glyphosate Round Up ECOSYSTEM Critical habitat and ecosystem life — thousands, collections of 200 species (?) A delicate BALANCE A complex ecosystem of lives All lands where rain water lands Abundant Ecosystem/Vibrant Life ĆContinue„ on neÚt pageć 07Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Meaning (Continued) RESOURCE Healthy native dominant forrest that cleans water for drinking, fishing and surf ʻĀina — all forms of land Forests OHIA Natural ecosystem with traditional indigenous care and stewardship with balanced resources Source of water Flood control/ Runoff Managment Safety & Resource Water source for our family & community. CONNECTED Food, fun, & a resources for living Lands connected by wai and all that exists within it Community Food Food, fun & a resource for living Ecosystem/ Filter (H₂O)/Resource Disease vector for marine protected species e.g. Toxo Flood Control / Runoff Management All the lands that water runs through & into! FUN Fun! Fun Recreation A good swim location CLEAN Health Wealth Good food and drinking water Clean drinking source! Filter Clean water in the Bay Clean watershed — means safe to swim, dive, fish, eat fish — enjoy — pollution free __[?}__ channel gets regular __[?}__ Water Clean Water Clean water for Hawaii Healthy watershed = life & empowerment w/out pollution Mauka to Makai Clean water to play & drink Clean ocean & stream water Seagrass WATER IS LIFE Life (x3) Source of life Water is Sacred Wai Ola Water is Life All life needs water!! Respect Home Future 08Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Vision Participants completed the sentence: “Looking ahead, I hope future generations in Hilo Bay Watershed in 2055 would say, “I’m so glad they planned ahead for _____.” Responses were organized by the graphic facilitator into thematic clusters on the poster and categorized below. Each bullet represents one post it except where otherwise noted, ex: (x3). OUR DREAMS AT A HIGHER LEVEL Harmony with Nature Enviromental Health IMUA Responsible - Human pollution Fee Human manure = resource not pollutant Sophisticated wastewater strategies and re-use Turning “trash” into “treasure” Life Coming Back Hilo Bay is the lifeblood of the community Safe & sustainable community uses Coastal resilience Healthy watershed I’m so glade they fixed, remidated, solved the impairment first then implemented a sustainable plan that works. VIBRANT THRIVING LIFE! Reforestation of degraded land Reforestation + clean water = Thriving native species populations Everything finished in 2028 Expanding forests, clean and pure watershed, balanced waste treatment, thriving farms across the Hawaiian Kingdom ĆContinu‡„ on n‡Út pr‘‡ć 09Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Vision (Continued) PEOPLE CARE People work together A better community Education on personal solutions by the __?___ land owners Improved sentiment and appreciation for Hilo Watershed. People respect, take action, take pride All cats have a home (TOXO Managed) Pest management (Toxoplasmosis from feral cats) SAFETY Safety from Tsunami impact Safety — Flooding of Hilo town, water goes through conduits Warning system (earthquake & tsunami) Tsunami impact signs Climate change resilient infrastructure Future storms no flooding Safe for all users & creatures mauka to makai No glyphosate Round Up UPLAND Ungulate & predator free native forest units Ungulate management Protect land from overdeveloping No! Data!!! Centers!!!! county banned installation of synthetic turf Trees 90% more trees on island CLEAN WATER Water for ALL Enforcing water quality laws Flourishing watershed, fresh underground water. Clean and fresh obtainable water Healthy clean freshwater :) Cleaner water for drinking and recreation Clean Water — YES! Clean Water to Swim Safely — YES! Clear Water Water runoff management system Water diversion and natural burms Control sediment runoff from Ag/cows Sources of microplastic pollution were eliminated SEWER SYSTEM No cesspools. The government helped with the cost of conversion Sewer infrastructure working sewer system effective & inclusive, not in lava tubes YES! No use lava tubes!! Improved wastewater treatment Home treatment, above ground systems. Sewer Systems for all of Hilo with affordable payments Add more people on county sewer Sewer the rest of Hilo ASAP expand plant Hilo Wastewater (Continu‡„ on n‡Út pr‘‡ć 10Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Vision (Continued) FOOD & SUSTAINABILITY Food Sustainable Sustainable food production Self-sustaining food production Food production and self sustainability NATURE THRIVES Clean water and healthy fish Native fish thriving Native Species habitat e.g. pinapina (Hawaiian damselfly) Water quality healthy ocean to uplands Increased native flora & fauna Convert bayfront into park with native plants A lot of fish/wildlife Less turtles with fibropapilloma Seasonal Kapu Less toxoplasmosion on our reefs and oceand Heather coral reefs! Oysters for clean up. More reef CLEAN & HEALTHY BAY Clean beach Clean water from headwaters to bay Clean water to swim and drink. Water protected for generations to come break, pristine not afraid to get in it. Clean water to swim safe safely. Sewage free… Clean bay can swim [x2] Pristine water in Hilo Bay Shade along the harbor sidewalks Protect our bay resources. ACCESS New ocean access points in Hilo new beaches Ocean access connected to downtown (more people can go to the water) BETTER BREAKWALL Chop 6 holes in the breakwater & stagger them Increased circulation at the break water Fisherman have access to the end of the breakwater Focus on the bay 1 . Open the breakwater to flush. st Brake can be hydro power? Baffle breakwall to power plant. Retrofit the Port w/ wave or tidal energy Reduce erosion at bayfront wave dissappation Protect our baby resources Take the end off breakwater Create better bay front waves Better Bay breakwall with circulation 11Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Areas of Concern The impacts station enabled participants to identify impacts at specific locations within the watershed and offered the local knowledge, historical memory, and specific geographic detail. Each bullet represents one post it except where otherwise noted ex: (x3). Uhe folloÕing transcriptions include location references identified by participantsö Some locations noted are outside of the Õatershed boundaryö 2ocations presented in parentheses are facilitatorsĝ best-guess annotationsö Uhese locations Õere not Õritten by participants but Õere inferred from points they marked on the mapö For more precise location information÷ please refer to the accompanying mapö Some notes Õere partially legible due to handÕritingù transcriptions marked Õith đđđ?đđ indicate uncertain readingsö Kona: West side human pollution mitigation Humu‘ula?: Herbicides → Hilo on Mana Road. Saturated by Helicopter (EPA Grant?) Kulani: invasive weeds, invasive ungulates Hakalau NWR (Along middle of Saddle Road): Need to understand source of sedimentation Piihonua watershed: protect the source Wailuku: flooding sedimentation debris (ialbiza) Carcasses Runoff issues in the streams (Above Akaka Falls): Farming practices causing erosion run off Waikea Uka: ponding 2013-2016 off grid depend on solar and water catchment Ainako ~ 600ft - Spraying herb, hydro drainage, cesspools Ainako stream: preserve natural flow of ‘Ainako stream Boiling Pots: invasive overgrowth limits viewing (State Parks): I agree the pots get covered by vegetation (Continued on neÚt page) 12Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Areas of Concern (Continued) Mauka Subdivision: Sprawl Concerns@urban & ag runoff into streams Puna: Hard to access roads during emergencies in Mountain View due to extreme flooding. Eden Rock: bulldozing changes water flow & quality Mountain View: Kids can’t get to school when it rains Hawaiian Acres: Intense flooding & bad road conditions Municipal Golf Course: uses unregulated herbicides → Hilo Bay Orchidland: 10% of Ohia’a are dying [x 2 yes, + 1 no] Old Kimchi Factory: nine drinking water wells sucking up water, eliminate it (Ocean off Hawaii Belt Rd North of Akaka Falls Road): Dirty ocean water, worry about sediment (Hawaii Belt Rd North of Akaka Falls Road): Hakalau: Not enough forest cover Stream bank erosion Kolekole: lead contamination from bridge Honomū (Hawaii Belt Rd South of Akaka Falls Road): Dirty ocean water, worry about sediment Unpermitted wastewater systems Watershed improperly paved roads & unpaved causes sediment into stream Sewers got clogged by soil Hanawi stream: Feral pigs Unpermitted construction in streambed gulch Waterfalls turn brown after rain Pepe‘eko: Sewers got clogged by soil (blue post it upper right) Papaikou: Sediment prevents healthy swimming Breakwall: Surfing in the bay Circulate within Bay - Break in breakwater Open the breakwall for better circulation! DOD Military Dump Sites: 2 behind breakwall, 1 by Honoli‘i, unknown ask UH Puhi Bay: Outfall (x2) Microplastics + WWTP pass-through Turtles covered in slime algae (Puhi, Reeds, Keaukaha) Honoli‘i: Only place to surf Sinus infections from surfing after rain (always) Ear infection from after rain Mystery itchies, staph, ear infection Agro-pollution, bio waste Concerns about surfers at Hilo Bay Honoli‘i – is it safe in long-term concern about causing?Arsenic? ___?___ Need to know. Coconut Point: Surfing during brown water advisory Lookout: Scenic outlook park invasive trees block view Keaukaha: Water not safe. Sewage along the coast Unsafe water quality Onekahakaha Kids beach not clean - cesspools leeching Overuse too much sunscreen in water - Bacterial infection Cesspools Raw sewage dumps from outfall - Winston Beach Brown water advisory Water quality for recreation, swimming, fishing, surfing, etc. (Continued on neÚt pa‘e) 13Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Areas of Concern (Continued) Whittington Beach: Overuse too much sunscreen in the water - Bacterial infection Cesspools Raw sewage dumps from outfall Inside breakwall: Fish, are they edible clean water! Behind harbor, both sides of road: Warehouses with hazmat? Iceponds: not swimmable. Reed's bay Public Septic: Stinky water around public septic/bathrooms while walking in Liliuokalani Park Wailoa: Rubbish, grass that’s overgrown Wailoa River Flooding along the highway Heavy metal clean up Wailoa Pond- Caning plant arsenic disturbance from tsunami Need to make it safe to eat fish or warn people where not safe to eat fish from ie: arsenic areas Kuku‘au street flooding at the bottom after it rains consistently Waiola Street Park back EPA?? Canec plant super-poison? Mille arsenic? 14Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Areas of Concern The impacts station enabled participants to identify impacts at specific locations within the watershed and offered the local knowledge, historical memory, and specific geographic detail. Each bullet represents one post it except where otherwise noted, ex: (x3). Wastewater, Sewage & Cesspools Sewage impacts from cesspool septic tanks Down town Industrial areas Reed's Island near rivers Keaukaha No Cesspools Cesspols and unserved areas Need sewer above UH Hilo and the rest of Hilo Closing all the cesspools Cesspool prioritization Calcutta India model: sewage settling ponds Enforce + Subsidize Septic System Mandate Watershed Protection & Herbicides Control runoff yards, streets, neighborhoods – more than “10 year” storm! Especially adjust to undeveloped. “No spray” toxins/poisons in entire watershed No spray zone (bill). Moku O Keawe Aquifer Protection re- introduce. Compliance with posted herbicides (posted 2008) DHHL – stop spraying herbicides Roundup pollution – county, state, private 8oteø Uhe comments were transcribed from participant Post-it notes and organiàed into themes by the facilitator teamö 7any comments addressed watershed-wide issues rather than specific map locationsö ĆContinued on neÚt pageć 15Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Areas of Concern (Continued) Water Quality & Pollution Cleaning in the bay water using natural (em) solutions Follow the Ventura County Water Pure Ocean Poor water quality in the Bay all the time after rain Water is not dirty all the time but after rains not fun to paddle in Clean water in bayfront for recreation and leisure Hilo Bay – dead ungulates after flash floods Trash in the Bay Water at Hilo Bay is polluted / smells – don't want to take our kids there ... wish they could swim, paddle, sail & fish. Bayfront – canoe clubs? Multiple members have got staph infections from the water Suggestion for water quality in Hilo Bay more frequent water testing & better notification system Water quality testing Innovative Sanitation Technologies Composting or incinerating toilets. Solar Fresno lenses provide energy for incinerating toilets Neighborhood methane digesters as part of sewage treatment Habitat Restoration & Ecosystem Health Plant mangrove at Hilo Bay. Create an estuary environment ie Point Mugu, Ventura Coutny Remove toxic + all invasive that hurt our kai ʻāina Waihonu pond @Liliuoklani Road - Removing invasive ogo/limu seaweed Liliuokalani part Waialena Known toxoplasmosis hotspot Worried about limu a fish Tsunami Preparedness & Public Safety Tsunami warning zone entry signs needed at ALL entry points. No tsunami warning signs in visitor areas such as airport, Banyan Drive, parks Tsunami inundation zone & fuel tank vulnerability Extend Kamehameha to Hwy 11 after closing Bayfront Hwy Social & Cultural Safety for people sleeping in culverts Educating & managing tourism for negative impact on culture Restore Ola Mau Pi‘o Pi‘o Fishing Village 7714 Victoria Kamamalu Wailo‘a State Park- State herbicides used Pi‘o Pi‘o Fishing Village mg 7714 Victoria Kamamalu Recreation, Parks & Public Access Clean water in bayfront for recreation and leisure Bayfront Hwy closes - Make it a park + plant native to restore beach. 16Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Community Input-Benefits Participants placed 1 Star to represent the one area they perceived benefits; multiple dots represented future benefits. The 15 stars in water quality were largely expressions about drinking water, not the water quality of the bay. Participants also advised that they see “Recreation” as being distinctly different and separate from “Tourism”, so facilitators drew a dividing line on the chart to reflect the distinction. ò 17Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Key Themes Across all eight input stations, several themes appeared consistently and emphatically. These cross-cutting concerns and values will be important to carry into the next phases of the Hilo Bay Resilience & Watershed Management planning process. 1. Clean Water Is Both a Current Asset and a Future Imperative Clean water — for drinking, swimming, fishing, and cultural practice — was the single most frequently expressed value across all posters. It was named as the watershed’s top current benefit (15 stars) and was among the top aspirations for 2055. Participants drew a clear connection between upstream land use, sewer infrastructure, and downstream water quality. 2.Sewer Infrastructure Is an Urgent Priority The need to eliminate cesspools, extend sewer service throughout Hilo, modernize the wastewater treatment plant, and move away from lava tube disposal was among the most frequently cited concerns. Many participants framed this as a prerequisite to other improvements — “Fix the impairment FIRST, then implement a sustainable plan.” 3. The Breakwater Needs Attention A notable cluster of input focused on the Hilo Bay breakwater — calling for improved tidal circulation, reduced bay stagnation, fishermen’s access, and innovative energy generation from wave or tidal systems. Multiple participants advocated for opening the breakwater to allow the bay to “flush” naturally. 4. Native Ecosystems and Biodiversity Matter Deeply Participants expressed strong attachment to native forests, birds, fish, and coastal species. Reforestation, ungulate management, native species habitat restoration, and elimination of invasive species were all raised as priorities for the watershed’s future. 5. Recreation and Cultural Connection Drive Engagement The highest dot count of the entire event was in the ‘I recreate here’ category (53 dots). Swimming, fishing, paddling, surfing, and hiking are not just hobbies for participants — they are expressions of cultural identity and community wellbeing. Participants demanded that the bay be safe enough to swim and fish in, and that access to the water be expanded, not restricted. 18Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Key Themes 6. Data Centers and Pesticides Are Deeply Opposed Strong opposition to data centers was expressed on nearly every input poster, often in emphatic language (“NO!! DATA!! CENTERS!!”). Concerns about their water consumption, heat generation, and impact on aquifer supplies were raised. Similarly, the use of glyphosate (Round-Up) and other pesticides by county, state, and federal agencies on public lands was repeatedly flagged as a major threat to water quality and community health. 7. Community Stewardship and Cultural Values Are Central Participants’ input consistently reflected a sense of kuleana — responsibility — for the land and water. Hawaiian cultural frameworks, including the ahupuaʻa system, wai ola (living water), and manaʻo (knowledge and perspective), were woven throughout participants’ contributions. The community envisions itself as an active partner in watershed stewardship, not merely a recipient of government action. 19Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair Next Steps The input gathered on May 23, 2026 will be used to: Inform the development of a community-guided Hilo Bay Resilience & Watershed Management Plan Vision Identify priority issues and geographic focus areas for further study and engagement Document community knowledge and values as a foundational record for the planning process 20Summary Report: HBRW Management Plan - Community Event #1 Listening Fair