The mudweed had ran uncontrolled and was only monitored by few a parties of locals up until 2009, when the organization Malama Maunalua began to address the issue. With the involvement from Malama Maunalua, community participation began to rapidly increase. Members of the community along with: local schools, banks, and various other businesses were all interested in lending a hand.
Over 700 volunteers from the community, along with 63 contracted employees ran a large hands-on undertaking called ‘The Great Huki’
The removal and transport of mudweed Image by: (Kittinger, 2013)
The great huki was done over a period of 15 months were large groups of volunteers ventured out in the bay shallows and removed by hand the mudweed. The weed was picked and put into bags, kayaked to shore, where it was the subsequently shipped to neighbouring farms where it could be used for compost fertilizer.
An important aspect of the project was to control sediment runoff into the bay, which was contributing to the growth of the mudweed. Runoff was limited by rain drains and gardens made by schools and volunteers that caught runoff before it could enter the bay.
Image of implemented rain drains and coastal garden. Image by: Malama Maunalua
Next: Results & Impact