We have reported before on the clean-up of Maunalua Bay in east Oahu. Now, Malama Maunalua is attempting to stop the problem before it starts.
Malama Maunalua has been working with volunteers and partners to clear algae from the reef.
"Everybody's heard and much thanks to you. Three million pounds removed, twenty six acres cleared. It's huge, but it's only one step," said Jennifer Taylor of Malama Maunalua.
The next problem for the reef is the waste that flows down the mountains and valleys into the bay.
"We've always known that it was the sediment that rolls into the bay with every rain storm, we get tons and tons of sediment. It takes decades to flush out of the bay and the only thing we can do is try to reduce it," Taylor says.
One way to do that is to create what are called rain gardens. Creating these gardens reduces the amount of sediment that washes into the bay.
"We are sure it's going to be one of many across the region. We have 20,000 households in the Maunalua region. Every drop of water that enters the storm drain system carries mud, leaves, debris, pollutants with it into the bay and that's toxic, creates a toxic environment," Taylor says.
Malama Maunalua had a number of partners in creating the rain garden.
"Hawaii Kai Rotary, excellent partner with their student group the Interact Club at Kaiser High School, the developer of Hale Ka'lae was a partner," Taylor says.
Taylor believes this effort could be replicated here and in other parts of the world.
"You know sediment hurts marine environment every where and to the extent we can keep rainwater on the land where it belongs and keep the soil out of the water, we're better off," she says.
The work of Malama Maunalua is far from over.
"We have a plan for managing what we cleared so we preserved those gains, and expanding those areas. And we're going to work on that sediment staying out of the bay," Taylor says.
