History Of Our Watershed

All Hawaiian islands are hotspot volcanoes and the most geographically isolated land masses in the world. Oahu is made up of what’s left of two gigantic old volcanoes: Waianae (about 4 million years old) and Ko’olau (about 2 million years old). Mililani is on top of Ko’olau lava. Understanding the flow of water and soil is vital.

Species came, rarely, by wind, wing or water and many did not survive. Natural selection and time allowed for these species to evolve. Hawaii has many species that are not found anywhere else in the world.

The ma’ohi came to Hawaii in 2-3 waves about 1500 years ago from other islands in the Pacific. They brought plants and animals with them, introducing new species to the islands. To survive they burned lowland forests for agriculture (taro, lo’i), homes, gardens. They also are most likely to have caused the extinction of some bird species. They developed sophisticated, sustainable water management strategies that kept water flowing and went from the mountain to the sea (Ahupua’a). Hawaii developed very sophisticated aquaculture like fish ponds that along with their other food production fed approximately 1 million people. Hawaiians managed land in Ahupua'a, now known as a watershed. Hawaiians had a sophisticated kapu or regulatory system of planting, fishing, harvesting that was based on observation and knowledge of local ecosystems. The mountain forests were considered sacred and few went into them.

Western contact brought significant change and several introduced species (along with tourists) that had a devastating impact on Hawaiian ecosystems. The 1970’s brought about an era of Hawaiian cultural renaissance and environmental activism.

The native Koa tree, also known as the father tree in a native hawaiian forest, is an endangered tree due to deforestation. The tree contains a special type of wood that is far more beautiful than most; it is used in many carved items. This type of wood was used for the ancient voyaging canoes. Over time more and more trees were used for lumber, crafting, etc. With little trees left, voyaging canoes aren’t able to be built because of the lack of Koa.