The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has awarded the state more than $8 million in grant funding for coastal resilience projects on Oahu, Maui and Molokai, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced on Monday.

What You Need To Know

  • The funding will be used to support projects that help reduce flood and wildfire risk, protect forests and coral reefs and increase community resilience
  • Tipu Tipu Restoration and Sustainability was awarded $3.1 million to implement nature-based best management practices to prevent sediment erosion along abandoned agricultural roads and protect coral reefs and fisheries through engagement of the Native Hawaiian community
  • Molokai Land Trust will receive $919,400 to identify suitable wetlands for restoration. The project will develop a final design for two prioritized sites, conduct environmental compliance assessments and increase community capacity to restore and maintain wetlands
  • Hawaii Local 2030 Hub was awarded $496,500 to design green infrastructure projects to mitigate stormwater runoff and recharge aquifers

 

“This new funding will help communities across Hawaii adapt to a changing climate,” Schatz said. “The more we invest in proven solutions to protect our environment, the better prepared Hawaii will be for years to come. We’re going to continue working to deliver as much federal funding for these efforts as possible.”

The funding will be used to support projects that help reduce flood and wildfire risk, protect forests and coral reefs and increase community resilience.

The grant recipients include:

  • Tipu Tipu Restoration and Sustainability: $3.1 million to implement nature-based best management practices to prevent sediment erosion along abandoned agricultural roads and protect coral reefs and fisheries through engagement of the Native Hawaiian community.
  • Department of Land and Natural Resources: $1.67 million to protect and restore native vegetation. The project will protect over 5,000 acres of native forest and reduce sedimentation of coral reefs.
  • Healthy Climate Communities: $1 million to restore 5 acres of land with 2,000 native trees on the Puu O Ehu watershed to decrease risks to surrounding infrastructure from wildfire and flooding, as well as enhance wildlife habitat for endemic endangered birds.
  • Hawaii Department of Transportation: $1 million to engage communities on Oahu to identify resilience needs and determine the suitability of nature-based solutions to protect coastal highways and coastal communities.
  • Molokai Land Trust: $919,400 to identify suitable wetlands for restoration. The project will develop a final design for two prioritized sites, conduct environmental compliance assessments and increase community capacity to restore and maintain wetlands.
  • Hawaii Local 2030 Hub: $496,500 to design green infrastructure projects to mitigate stormwater runoff and recharge aquifers. The projects will help reduce flood risk, mitigate pollution to near-shore marine habitats, maintain adequate drinking water supplies and build community resilience.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.