Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2016 — Storm Recovery in Woikopū [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Storm Recovery in Woikopū

This month, Trustee Huīu Lindsey invited wetland-kalo farmer Hōkūao Pellegrino to write about historic flooding in 'īao Valley. n the night of Tuesday, Sepf \ tember 13, 2016,

Umany regions on Maui experienced heavy thunderstorms causing record-breaking rainfall, historic rises in stream levels and extreme flooding that had not been seen in decades. In fact, on January 21, 1916, 100 years ago, a similar storm and flood event killed 13 people and washed away 30 homes in the 'īao Valley, Wailuku area. Fortunately, there were no loss oflife in this recent storm, however, there were severely dam-

aged roads, homes, kuleana lands, lo'i kalo farms, 'auwai irrigation systems and County and State Parks. Waikanū. whieh is the small-

est stream in Nā Wai 'Ehā, saw the stream rise over 10 feet in certain areas and widen over 15-20 feet on both sides of the stream banks while bringing down boulders that were half the size of a VW Bug. The storm filled numerous dry gulches from Waikapū Valley to Mā'alaea Bay with gushing water, whieh then flowed to the Keālia wetlands and out into the oeean. Lo'i kalo farming continues to be a way of life for many of the kuleana land owners in

Waikapū. During normal storm events, the traditional stone dam or po'owai, whieh dates back to the Mahele and irrigates these kuleana lands, would break. It is built to do as such, in order not to damage lo'i kalo, homes and properties helow. This most recent storm, however, obliterated the North Waikapū Kuleana po'owai, filled in a large portion of the connecting 'auwai with

12 inches of silt and damaged lo'i kalo and ancient stone terraces. On Saturday, September 17, 2016, Waikapū kuleana land owners and kalo farmers rallied the greater Maui community together for a work day to rebuild their massive po'owai, extensive 'auwai system, as well as elean up debris brought down-

stream by a neighboring ranch. More than 50 people showed up in support, whieh included East Maui and Nā Wai 'Ehā kalo farmers, kūpuna, friends and 'ohana. What would have been a daunting task and taken Waikapū kalo farmers days was completed in one with the help of many. The 'ōlelo no'eau, "'A'ohe hana nui ke alu 'ia" or "No task is too big when done together by all" was the best way to describe the day's experience.

In the midst of widespread destruction and hardship caused by this storm, it is inspiring to know that simi-

lar stories of community engagement, resiliency and perseverance are occurring throughout Maui, as was seen in Waikapū with their restoration. The Waikapū eommunity would like to mahalo everyone for their support and hopes this story inspires you to look around your own community and find ways to mālama kekahi i kekahi and kōkua aku, kōkua mai. ■

Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey Trustee, Maui

Waikapū. - Courtesy Photo