Schatz: Nearly $4 Million Heading To Kaua‘i, O‘ahu To Increase Climate Resiliency

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced Hawai‘i will receive more than $3.8 million for projects on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu to improve climate resiliency through the restoration of dunes and wetlands.

“This new funding will help make our communities more resilient to climate change while also protecting essential natural resources and increasing food security,” said Senator Schatz. “We’re going to continue fighting to bring federal resources to protect our environment in Hawai‘i and shore up our communities for years to come.”

The County of Kaua‘i will receive $449,484 to plan and implement a dune restoration program at Hanapepe Salt Pond to create an essential buffer against storm surge and sea level rise as well as protect natural resources that are particularly important for Native Hawaiians.

“The Native Hawaiian practice of salt making at Hanapepe Salt Pond has been a treasured tradition for hundreds of years here on Kaua‘i, where many have visited and observed even as keiki. We are grateful to U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, NOAA Office of Coastal Management, and to our partners with UH Sea Grant and Hui Hana Pa‘akai, for supporting this important endeavor for our island and people,” said Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “This project, led by our Kaua‘i County Planning Department, is a huge first step towards protecting the pond resource in addition to supporting the hui and their ability to steward the land and ensure salt making traditions continue for generations.”

On O‘ahu, Kako?o ?Oiwi will receive $3.4 million to restore 40 acres within the reserve using Indigenous knowledge relating to wetland agroecology (lo?i wai).

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