HomeMy WebLinkAboutCreating a Community-Based Hilo Bay Resilience and WatershedCREATING A COMMUNITY-BASED HILO
BAY RESILIENCE AND WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Community Advisory Committee
February 27, 2026
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PRESENTATION AGENDA
Project Overview and Timeline
•The Issues
•What has been done
•National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 2023 National Coastal
Resilience Fund Award
•Why R&D?
•Project Elements
•Project Timeline
•Community Advisory Committee Role
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THE ISSUE:
WATER QUALITY
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THE ISSUE: COASTAL RESILIENCE
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WHAT HAS BEEN
DONE -WHAT IS
BEING DONE
•2005 Hilo Bay Watershed-Based Restoration Plan
•Ongoing efforts of Agency and Nonprofit Organizations,
including:
•Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance
•USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
•University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
•College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
•Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch
•Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources Division
of Forestry & Wildlife
•Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources Divison of
Aquatic Resources
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NATIONAL
FISH AND
WILDLIFE
GRANT
2023 National Coastal Resilience Fund
Priorities: Nature-based solutions, Community
Resilience, Fish and Wildlife Benefit, Community
Impact, Indigenous Knowledge
Objectives:
1.Enhance the resilience of coastal communities.
2.Provide dual benefits to both coastal
communities and habitats.
3.Create and/or restore natural systems to
increase the resilience of communities from
coastal hazards and improve habitats for fish
and wildlife species.
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WHY R&D?
Department of Research and
Development
Empowering change through data-
driven decision-making,
collaborative action, and innovative
solutions while honoring and
integrating the wisdom of our Native
Hawaiian culture.
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ECONOMICS – MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
8 FEBRUARY 27, 2026, 9:00 A.M.
ECONOMICS - POVERTY
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ECONOMICS
ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures
Places as a top priority the well-
being of the ʻāina, water sources,
oceans, skies, and the
biodiversity integral to these,
recognizing the understanding
that the ʻāina is our aliʻi, and we
are its servants.
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PROJECT
ELEMENTS
1.Initial Vision and Watershed Goals
2.Literature Review and Data Gap Analysis
3.Technical Studies
4.Description and Assessment of the Watershed
5.Description and Assessment of Coastal Conditions
following elements of the Hawaiʻi Ocean Resources
Management Plan:
6.Assessment of Local Laws and Programs
7.Watershed and Coastal Management
Recommendations
8.Prioritize Recommended Projects and Key to Map(s)
9.Ka Pa ʻakai Analysis
10.Implementation Strategy and Schedule
11.Tracking and Monitoring Plan
12.Public Meetings and Community Engagement
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PROJECT
TIMELINE TO DATE 12
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COMMUNITY ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
Collaborative working group of agencies, nonprofit
organizations, and concerned residents.
•Project advisors to the County
•Learning Community
•Not an official commission or board
•No decision-making responsibilties
•No quorum requirements
•Coordinated by R&D Project Manager
•Sub-committee opportunties
•Project webpage:
https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov/economic-
development/hilo-bay
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MAHALO
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County of Hawaiʻi
Department of Research and Development
25 Aupuni Street, Room 1301
Hilo, HI 96720
www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov
Project Coordinator:
Beth Dykstra, Economic Development Specialist
Elizabeth.Dykstra@hawaiicounty.gov