POPULATION & PEOPLE

 

“Taro lands were found at the floodplains along Pearl Harbor, and at inland areas adjacent to the lower section of Kīpapa Stream, along both sides of Waikele Stream, and along Waikakalaua Stream near the upper boundary of Waikele. The taro was irrigated by the water of the streams and by springs at the base of the bluffs, including the famous Waipahu Spring. The lower portion of the floodplain was used for fishponds. Kula lands were used for the cultivation of coconut, breadfruit, and pandanus, and for pasture” - Cultural Assessment-City and County

 

• Hawaii’s streams are home to a wide array of unique native species.

          - Many of these species are endemic to Hawaii b/c of the link between the ocean and Hawaii’s streams

          - This connection completes their life cycle which is why it is crucial to keep the mountains and oceans healthy. 

• Hawaii is home about 20% of endemic unique aquatic species. (Hawaii Fact Sheet Fish Habitat 3)

          - Hawaii’s unique environment is what attributes to it’s unique diversity in it’s aquatic species

                 - b/c Hawaii doesn’t experience extreme seasons the small fluctuation in temperature can influence the reef and species in the oceans.

• Hawaii’s coastal and shore waters have diverse habitat features, such as barrier and fringing reefs, sand flats, and rocky shorelines.

• Many of Hawaii’s streams and ocean shorelines are at a very high risk of habitat degradation. (Hawaii Fact Sheet Fish Habitat 5).

• Urbanized areas most at risk for habitat degradation

          - b/c the sediment carried from these areas is the most harmful pollutant in Hawaii’s streams and oceans

          - the sediments also affect the water’s temperature, this change in warmthness affects the species in the water and               they can’t adapt to this change in environment. (Hawaii Disturbance 2)

• By 1978 58% of Hawaii’s streams were diverted. This resulted in the reduction of water which dried the streams and made it very difficult for the species to migrate and have a nursery habitat. (Hawaii Fact Sheet Fish Habitat)

• Non native species began to be introduced to Hawaii’s streams in the 1800’s

           - Many of these new species such as the Chinese Catfish and eel were brought for food

           - other species such as the goldfish were brought just for the aesthetics.

• From the early 1900’s to 1960’s certain non native aquatic species started to be introduced to Hawaii to solve issues of other non native species

            - Tabai was introduced with the purpose to get rid of the mosquito issue

            - Tilapia was introduced to control the Sugarcane weeds. (Hawaii Stream Species)

• In order to improve the health of the streams the public needs to be aware of how their actions can put stress on the stream’s ecosystem. Ultimately, these stresses will eventually cycle and affect the people of Hawaii in the long run.