{"id":"449c9a1a-eb1a-4c28-affb-1883775ee758","created_at":"2026-04-30T19:45:59.337Z","updated_at":"2026-04-30T19:48:49.690Z","owner_id":"f48e8264-d954-4e79-8286-74b5c94ce60e","name":"Haʻikū Community Association ","program_name":null,"description":"The Haʻikū Community Association (HCA) coordinates a community-based water quality monitoring program serving the Huelo and Haʻikū region of East Maui. Our work is rooted in the understanding that water quality is directly tied to both ecosystem health and community well-being.\r\nSince launching in 2024, our program has collected 450 water samples across key streams including Hoʻolawa (Twin Falls), Honopou, Kailua (Dog Pond), and Nāʻiliʻilihaele (Bamboo Forest), with additional sites monitored as capacity allows. We conduct regular weekly sampling and additional monitoring during and after storm events to better understand how changing conditions impact water quality.\r\nOur monitoring includes bacterial indicators (E. coli and Enterococcus) to assess human health risk, as well as physicochemical parameters such as turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and nutrients (including nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, and silica). This dataset provides one of the only consistent, community-collected records of freshwater conditions in the region.\r\nA core strength of our program is the integration of community knowledge and participation. Volunteers assist with sample collection, outreach, and communication, and we actively share results through public-facing reports, social media, and our website. We emphasize clear, accessible messaging, especially around safe recreation, such as avoiding streams after heavy rainfall when bacteria levels are elevated.\r\nHCA collaborates with partners including the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center, the State Division of Aquatic Resources, local landowners, and community organizations. Our goal is to build a long-term, place-based understanding of watershed health while empowering residents with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and care for their local water resources, especially in rural areas where public knowledge is unavailable. \r\nBeyond data collection, our work contributes to broader efforts in community science, climate resilience, and land-based stewardship by linking monitoring results with lived experiences, historical knowledge, and ongoing environmental changes in East Maui.","short_description":"The Haʻikū Community Association (HCA) leads a community-driven water monitoring program in East Maui, focused on protecting the health of local streams and coastal ecosystems. Since 2024, we have conducted weekly sampling across multiple streams, collecting data on bacteria (E. coli and Enterococcus), turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and nutrients. Our work integrates community participation, local knowledge, and scientific methods to inform public health, support environmental stewardship, and build long-term understanding of watershed health in Haʻikū.","slug":"ha-iku-community-association","primary_country":"United States","state":"Hawaii","nearest_town_city":"Haiku","street_address":"P.O. Box 1036","contact_details":"","email":"liliawd@hawaii.edu","phone":"18083446986","website":"https://www.haikumaui.org/haiku-water-quality/"}