Kona Soil and Water Conservation District

Click to view North Kona floodways
Click to view South Kona floodways

Kona's Watersheds

What is a Watershed?

A watershed is a catch basin for rainfall, fog, mist, and dew that produces clean water. The watersheds in North and South Kona begin in the higher elevation forested mauka regions and end makai, at the shoreline. The water drains from the watersheds to the sea by streams and floodways or seeps through soils and lava rock to the freshwater aquifers.

Watershed Management Plan

The KSWCD Watershed Management Plan Steering Committee has identified five objectives:
OBJECTIVE No. 1
Minimize Threats to Public Saftey
Reduce flood and fire hazards and prevent environmental contamination.

OBJECTIVE No. 2
Maximize Economic Welfare
Expand opportunities for creative and diversified economic growth; sustain Kona's clean water supplies; and minimize adverse impacts from infrastructure.

OBJECTIVE No. 3
Maximize Ecosystem Protection
Promote biodiversity and habitat quality; restore native habitats and forest cover; maintain natural water balance; provide education on watershed stewardship.

OBJECTIVE No. 4
Maximize Support and Cooperation
Work closely with regulators; facilitate implementation of watershed objectives; promote incentives for best-management practices; implement deterrents for inappropriate land-use practices; develop political support for the Kona Watershed Management Plan.

OBJECTIVE No.5
Maximize Socio-cultural Benefits
Ensure a quality Kona lifestyle; maintain Kona's rich agricultural industry; recognize, protect, and respect local Hawaiian heritage and traditions.