The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund recently announced their 2023 awardees, which included six projects in the Hawaiian Islands. Collectively, the awards represent a substantial investment of ~$7.5 million, leveraged with matching partner funds totaling ~ $5.5 million. Each project moves forward critically important conservation projects across the archipelago– from developing green stormwater infrastructure and improving flood mitigation to creating community-based watershed management plans for Hilo Bay, restoring historic and culturally significant wetlands at Heʻeia, and moving forward with waterbird recovery plans. This impressive investment speaks to the commitment of the conservation community to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Pacific Birds worked closely with two partners on their 2023 NFWF National Coastal Resilience Fund applications. These successful grants were:
The Molokaʻi Land Trust: Planning for a Resilient Community and Thriving Waterbird Population in Molokaʻi (HI).
Led by the Molokaʻi Wetland Partnership, this project will build on the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) wetland prioritization that was completed this year, a multi-partner initiative that identified suitable wetlands for restoration on Molokaʻi. Grant funds will support a Wetland Coordinator for the island, bringing much-needed capacity to wetland restoration efforts. Activities will include preparatory work for restoration design at two of the priority sites. Extensive outreach, engagement, and education work is also included to ensure the community's restoration vision is honored.
Hanalei Watershed Hui: Completing Final Design for Floodplain Restoration and Waterbird Habitat Enhancement in Hanalei.
This project builds on a previous NFWF NCRF grant for flood control and restoration planning in the Hanalei Basin. That project developed a Hanalei Watershed flood study, which proposed different options to reduce flooding using nature-based solutions. The new grant will take those proposals to full design and permitting, including project cost estimates. Waterbird habitat enhancement will be an integral part of this work, with proposed detention basins that will alleviate flood impacts and provide much-needed waterbird habitat. Hau bush removal has also been identified as an important action to enhance the resiliency of the Hanalei Basin, protect the community, and benefit waterbird populations. This project reflects a true collaboration, bringing together partners from the Hanalei community, local landowners, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Pacific Birds Staff, local non-profit organizations, and others. This funding and the resulting conservation work will go a long way in protecting critical waterbird habitats in Hawaiʻi while supporting community needs.
Together, these two grants represent more than $1.1 million in conservation investments on Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi. Congratulations to the Molokaʻi Land Trust, the Hanalei Watershed Hui, and all the partners involved in these incredible accomplishments!
