Wildfire and sediment are two of the biggest threats to ocean water quality in Ma’alea Bay. Wildfires burn away the plant cover on upslope lands, creating prime conditions for soil erosion. Erosion results in sediment in the ocean, which harms coral reefs, hindering their ability to feed, grow and reproduce.

What can be done about these threats to Ma’alaea Bay? Maui Nui Marine Resource Council invites you to learn more at a free talk on Wednesday, November 13 at 5:30 pm at The Sphere at Maui Ocean Center. Admission is free and the public is invited. Seating is limited, so advance reservations are suggested. To make your complimentary reservation, visit https://bit.ly/wildfireandsediment

Speaker Michael Reyes, Senior Ecologist at Maui Environmental Consulting, will take participants on a virtual trip to the Pohakea watershed above Ma’alaea, to learn about plans to mitigate wildfires in the area and resolve problems that currently contribute to erosion.

Reyes will be sharing the findings and the action steps outlined in the “Vision for Pohakea” plan that Maui Environmental Consulting created on behalf of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is in the process of taking the first steps to implement that plan.

The evening will also include updates on Maui Nui Marine Resource Councilʻs pilot project to use caged oysters to help improve ocean water quality in Maʻalaea Harbor. Amy Hodges, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s Programs Manager will speak about this project and will show photos of the oysters that are being raised for this project.

To arrange for your free reservation, follow this link: https://bit.ly/wildfireandsediment

About Michael Reyes:

Michael Reyes is the Principal and Senior Ecologist at Maui Environmental Consulting, LLC (MEC). His educational and professional experiences have provided him with an extensive background in several aspects of ecology and water quality. He has experience in environmental assessments, water quality evaluations, surface water monitoring, listed species surveys, and numerous wetland delineations/evaluations. Mike has been certified by the National Society for Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS#2303). He serves as an Associate Director for the Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District and acts as the Watershed Coordinator for the Southwest Maui Watershed Plan.

Working with Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, MEC developed the Pohakea Stormwater Management Plan. This project involved canvassing the Pohakea watershed for current landscape conditions affecting water quality within Maʻalaea Bay. While this study focused on erosion and sediment transport caused by surface water flow during stormwater events, any on-site observations of nutrient, pathogen, or other pollutant sources, as well as any other land management practices that may be contributing to water quality degradation in Maʻalaea Bay or Maʻalaea Harbor were recorded. Implementation projects were then designed to address these sources of pollution. Michael will be offering a brief review of the Pohakea Stormwater Management Plan.

About Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is a community-based nonprofit organization celebrating 11 years of working for healthy coral reefs, clean ocean water and abundant native fish throughout Maui County. Our work includes co-managing the Hui O Ka Wai Ola Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program at 41 sites in South and West Maui, efforts to reduce pollution in Ma‘alaea Bay (through erosion-control efforts in the Pohakea watershed and using oysters to filter sediment and pollutants from ocean water), coral reef research, visitor education programs and more. Learn more at www.mauireefs.org.