Hawaii County, HI Research & Development
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Community Advisory Committee
If you are interested in serving on the Community Advisory Committee, please submit this brief survey and we will update you on committee activities.
Creating a Community-based Hilo Bay Resilience and Watershed Management Plan
This project is made possible through a $2,000,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from the Department of Defense REPI Program.
The Creating a Community-based Hilo Bay Resilience and Watershed Management Plan project aims to develop a plan that not only addresses the ongoing issue of water quality in Hilo Bay, but also creates a data-informed roadmap for stewarding the State's largest watershed area. While the emphasis is on nature-based solutions, all alternatives for ensuring coastal resilience will be considered.
This three-year planning project will also feature community engagement activities. A Stakeholder Advisory Committee of Hilo Bay community members, nonprofit organizations, educators, scientists, and regulatory agencies are guiding the process and will co-create meaningful public engagement opportunities.
Click image below to open the map.
Project Description
Create a coastal hazard community resilience and watershed management plan that recommends nature-based solutions for mitigating flooding, sea-level rise, and climate change coastal events that affect residents, businesses, infrastructure, cultural practices, and natural resources. The plan, which will affect the Hilo Bay Watershed and the coastal area along Hilo Bay, will propose solutions that align with community needs and values, preferred implementation schedules; magnitude of cost estimates; potential funding sources and financing methods; impact goals, and evaluation measures.
Project Abstract
This community-based project will develop an implementable plan intended to provide nature-based solutions that will enhance community resilience along the Hilo Bay coastline and within the Hilo Bay Watershed area. Coastal hazards to be addressed include flooding events, hurricanes, storm surges, tsunamis, the uncontrolled spread of invasive species and pathogens, and other climate change events. Solutions will protect existing community assets including residences, schools, traditional gathering places, cultural sites of significance, transportation infrastructure, businesses, parks, and open spaces. Proposed solutions will also protect the Watershed's unique ecosystem, and critical habitats for endemic, endangered marine species, flora and fauna.
Project Status
- Final award and notice to proceed from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) was received in mid-August. See the Grant and Award Timeline graphic below.
- In-process: A Consultant Request for Proposals is in development. When the draft is approved for publication by both the County and NFWF, it will be published on Public Purchase and will be noted here on this page. See our Finance Department's Purchasing Division webpage for current RFP and bid listings and more about Public Purchase.
- Coming soon: First Community Advisory Committee meeting.
- Coming soon: Public Engagement activities to be designed in consultation with the Community Advisory Commitee.