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Page 001 We are not powerless against climate change help us cope

CO2

Absorb & store carbon Reduce floods

Relieve droughts Reduce storm surges and protect coastlines

Stop the loss of wetlands!

Restore Conserve Use wisely

Don’t drain Don’t build over Don’t degrade

35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost since 1970. Together we must work to conserve and restore these amazing ecosystems, which help us prepare for, cope with and bounce back from the impacts of climate change.

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Page 002 Table of Contents

Adobe Page #

1-2 Stop Draining Wetlands

3 Table of Contents

4 Summary

5 The Key to Coping with Climate Change

6-7 Kawainui - Hamakua Complex / Ramsar Site

8 Ramsar Boundaries and Type

9 City & County of - Tax Map

10 FEMA Flood Risk - Zone Map

11-24 Current Photographs - Makai Hamakua Wetland

25 Dept of Land & Natural Resources Signage

26 Kailua Topographical Wetland Map - 1943

27 Kailua Aerial Photograph - early 1950s

28-35 Global Wetland Outlook - Executive Summary

36-46 Environmental Protection Agency Legal Action - 2002-07

Rev12/26/2018

The latest version of this Full PDF Document may be downloaded from this site:

http://www.kailuaheagroup.com/kawainuihamakua-marsh-complex/ - or - use your browser to open: www.thehamakuagroup.com then click the menu item: Kawainui/Hamakua Wetlands

Page 003 - Summary -

The Hamakua Wetland makai of the Hamakua Drive Bridge:

This area has been over time and remains today a functioning natural wetland.

Wetlands are ecosystems which develop within and stabilize their natural environments.

Wetlands function includes: - mitigate floods - return water during dry periods - importantly, sequester CO2 - if they are left to grow and thrive - but, pour that CO2 back into the atmosphere - if destroyed - provide the environment for continued plant and animal diversity

This Hamakua Wetland function includes: - cleanse stormwater runoff prior to its flowing downstream into Kawainui Stream / Kailua - provides a home for recognized endangered Hawaiian waterbird species

In addition, we are now continually being reminded of increasingly severe climate risks. Risks which are approaching now with increasing rapidity. Island status makes us particularly vulnerable. Any development at this Wetland site will degrade it’s environmentally stabilizing function, which we may well need. Wetland destruction is unwise, reckless and puts us on the wrong side of history.

Each year more natural wetlands are being destroyed, 35% worldwide since 1970 and at an increased rate since 2000. In Kailua only pieces remain of the original Hamakua-Kaelepulu Wetlands. To allow these remnants to continue working for us we don’t have to buy them, or build them. All we need do is NOT destroy them. If we can muster that leadership, these remaining Wetlands will continue to watch our collective backs, for FREE.

Let’s accept the reality the 21st century has arrived and the responsibilities it now thrusts upon us are largely a result of our previous short-term mindsets. Our first responsibility surely is to protect our local lands. Thankfully preserving this local Wetland also provides long-term global protection, all at zero cost to us. State sponsored Wetland development on the other hand requires millions of taxpayer dollars, sacrifices the Wetland’s proactive steadying role, and benefits only those few who might use it for recreation. A large imbalance in value received.

I submit the State of formally 1) adopt the current Hamakua Wetland (TMK: 420030290000 and 420010550000) as a community and global natural asset, to be maintained as is, 2) fold the Wetland into the existing 2005 Ramsar Certification and Kawainui-Hamakua Complex Master Plan, and 3) with private dollars and effort finally remove the mess left by Coluccio Construction and under guidance from the DLNR/DOFAW install a modest system of non-disruptive interpretive boardwalks.

Robert Gratz Kailua, Hawaii

Page 004 Earth’s Wetlands: The key to coping climate is with climate change changing Temperatures are rising, Wetlands are a natural Wetlands naturally absorb oceans are warming, snow solution and store carbon and ice are melting and sea levels are rising faster The frequency of disasters worldwide has Peatlands, mangroves, and seagrass more than doubled in just 35 years, and store vast amounts of carbon. Peatlands than recorded during any 90% of these disasters are water-related. cover about 3% of our planet’s land and previous century. Increased Even more extreme weather is predicted store approximately 30% of all land- amounts of carbon dioxide going forward. Wetlands play a significant based carbon – twice the amount than all (CO ), methane, and other role in stabilizing GHG emissions and the world’s forests combined. Wetlands 2 blunting the impacts of climate change. are the most effective carbon sinks on greenhouse gases (GHG) in Earth. the atmosphere due to human activity are the reason. Wetlands buffer coastlines from extreme weather We must not drain our Coastal wetlands such as salt , wetlands mangroves, seagrass beds, and When drained or burned for reefs act like shock absorbers. They (as wetlands often are) they go from The global reduce the intensity of waves, storm being a carbon sink to a carbon source, surges, and tsunamis, shielding the releasing into the atmosphere centuries 60% of humanity who lives and works community of stored carbon. CO2 emissions from along coastlines from flooding, property drained and burned peatlands equate to is acting damage and loss of life. 10% of all annual fossil fuel emissions. Wetlands reduce floods and The level of CO2 in our We must conserve and atmosphere has increased relieve droughts restore our wetlands 40% since pre-industrial times. Inland wetlands such as flood plains, Strategies that address climate change To limit the impacts of climate rivers, lakes and function like must include the wise use of wetlands. change, the global community sponges, absorbing and storing excess We’ve already lost 35% since 1970. rainfall and reducing flood surges. During via the Paris Agreement is Individuals, communities and govern- dry seasons in arid climates, wetlands ments must work together to protect seeking to stabilize and reduce release stored water, delaying the these amazing ecosystems, which help GHG emissions, and limit the onset of droughts and minimizing water us prepare for, cope with and bounce increase in global average shortages. back from the impacts of climate change. temperature this century to below 2°C.

#KeepWetlands #WorldWetlandsDay www.worldwetlandsday.org

Page 005

Ramsar Site Wetlands of International Importance

awainui and Hämäkua @Marsh Complex in Kailua, O‘ahu was designated a Ramsar site in February 2005. Sacred to Hawaiians, Kawainui Marsh is the largest remaining emergent wetland in Hawai‘i and the state’s largest ancient freshwater fishpond. Located in the center of the caldera of the Ko‘olau shield volcano, the marsh today provides primary habitat for four of Hawai‘i’s endemic and endangered waterbirds. The marsh stores surface water and provides flood protection for Kailua town. Ramsar Hämäkua Marsh is a smaller wetland that is historically connected to the adjacent Kawainui Marsh. It also provides significant habitat for Hawai‘i’s endangered waterbirds.

ostering worldwide wetland conservation is ;the primary goal of the on Wetlands. First signed in 1971, this international treaty promotes conservation activities that also incorporate human use. Participation in the Convention brings nations together to improve wetland management for the benefit of people and wildlife and promote biological diversity. www.ramsar.org www.ramsarcommittee.us

Page 006 he Ramsar designation for the IKawainui and Hämäkua Marsh Complex was accomplished through the efforts of many community groups, especially Hawaii’s Thousand Friends, and government agencies, such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. • Kawainui-Hämäkua Marsh is the largest existing wetland in Hawai‘i, encompassing 850 acres from Maunawili toward Kailua Bay. • Kawainui was developed as a 450- he Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International acre fishpond by the Hawaiians Importance promotes wetland conservation throughout the who settled the Kailua ahupua‘a. T world. There are more than 1,600 Ramsar sites in over 150 • The Kawainui-Hämäkua Marsh countries, including 22 sites in the U.S. Many of these sites are provides habitat for Hawai‘i’s National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). four endangered waterbirds: ae‘o (stilt), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (coot), ‘alae 1. Izembek NWR, Alaska 1986 ula (gallinule), and koloa (duck). 2. Forsythe NWR, New Jersey 1986 • Kawainui is eligible for listing on 3. Okefenokee NWR, Georgia & Florida 1986 the National Register of Historic 4. Ash Meadows NWR, Nevada 1986 Places due to the many significant cultural sites, including Ulupö and 5. , Florida 1987 Pahukini Heiau and lo‘i kalo. 6. Estuarine Complex, Virginia 1987 • The Hawai‘i Division of Forestry 7. , Kansas 1988 and Wildlife has wildlife habitat 8. Cache-Lower White Rivers, Arkansas 1989 restoration projects underway in the marsh complex. 9. , Wisconsin 1990 10. , Louisiana 1991 11. Estuary, Delaware & New Jersey 1992 12. Pelican Island NWR, Florida 1993 13. , Texas 1993 14. Estuary, Connecticut 1994 15. Cache River-Cypress Creek Wetlands, Illinois 1994 16. Sand Lake NWR, South Dakota 1998 17. Bolinas , California 1998 18. Quivira NWR, Kansas 2002 19. , California 2002 20. Tijuana River National Estuarine, California 2005 21. Grassland Ecological Area, California 2005 22. Kawainui and Hämäkua Marsh Complex, Hawai‘i 2005

Page 007 Kawainul and Hamakua Marshes

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Page 009 Property Location

Page 010 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Endangered Hawaiian Moorhen along border of Hamakua Wetland and Kawainui Stream

Page 011 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Endangered Hawaiian Moorhen on floating vegetative mat in Kawainui Stream

Page 012 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

A pair of endangered Hawaiian Ducks paddling down Kawainui Stream

Page 013 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Endangered Hawaiian Ducks along border of Hamakua Wetland and Kawainui Stream

Page 014 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Seasonally flooded Hamakua Wetland

Page 015 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

One of several outlets from Hamakua Wetland into Kawainui Stream page 1

Page 016 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

One of several outlets from Hamakua Wetland into Kawainui Stream and page 2, for a closer view

Page 017 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Another outlet from Hamakua Wetland into Kawainui Stream page 1

Page 018 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Another outlet from Hamakua Wetland into Kawainui Stream and page 2, for a closer view

Page 019 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Water filtered through the Wetland bubbles into and down Kawainui Stream as a Black-Crowned Night-Heron watches for prey

Page 020 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Mallards loafing

Page 021 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Black-Crowned Night-Heron fishing

Page 022 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Hamakua Wetland awash

Page 023 Photos in Hamakua Wetland makai of Hamakua Drive October - November, 2018

Standing water, one of many views through Hamakua Drive chain-link fence

Page 024 Department of Land and Natural Resources Signage near Times Coffee Shop

Page 025 turner-1943.jpg 732×930 pixels 3/20/18, 11)44 pm

http://www.kaelepulupond.org/wp-content/uploads/turner-1943.jpg Page 1 of 1

Page 026 Page 027 GLOBAL WETLAND cover picOUTLOOK to show natural wetland with human flourishingState of the world’s wetlands and their services to people Executive Summary 2018 Convention on Wetlands Page 028 KEY MESSAGES

• Healthy, functioning natural wetlands are critical to human livelihoods and sustainable development. • Although still covering a global area almost as large as Greenland, wetlands are declining fast, with 35% losses since 1970, where data are available. • Wetland plants and animals are therefore in crisis, with a quarter of species at risk of extinction. • Quality of remaining wetlands is also suffering, due to drainage, pollution, , unsustainable use, disrupted flow regimes and climate change. • Yet wetland ecosystem services, ranging from food security to climate change mitigation, are enormous, far outweighing those of terrestrial ecosystems. • The Ramsar Convention promotes wetland conservation and wise use and is at the centre of efforts to halt and reverse wetland loss. • Key steps in conserving and regaining healthy wetlands include: • enhancing the network of Ramsar Sites and other wetland protected areas; • integrating wetlands into planning and the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda; • strengthening legal and policy arrangements to conserve all wetlands; • implementing Ramsar guidance to achieve wise use; • applying economic and financial incentives for communities and businesses; • ensuring participation of all stakeholders in wetland management; • improving national wetland inventories and tracking wetland extent.

2 Ramsar | Global Wetland Outlook Executive Summary | 2018 Page 029 INTRODUCTION

Conservation and wise use of wetlands are vital for human livelihoods. The wide range of ecosystem services wetlands provide means that they lie at the heart of sustainable development. Yet policy and decision-makers often underestimate the value of their benefits to nature and humankind.

Understanding these values and what is happening to wetlands is critical to ensuring their conservation and wise use. The Global Wetland Outlook summarizes wetland extent, trends, drivers of change and the steps needed to maintain or restore their ecological character. © Ramsar Convention

Ramsar | Global Wetland Outlook Executive Summary | 2018 3 Page 030 Status and Trends

Extent globally threatened) are for marine turtles, Accuracy of global wetland area data is increasing. wetland-dependent megafauna, freshwater Global inland and coastal wetlands cover over reptiles, amphibians, non-marine molluscs, 12.1 million km2, an area almost as large as , crabs and crayfish. Extinction risk Greenland, with 54% permanently inundated appears to be increasing. Although waterbird and 46% seasonally inundated. However, natural species have a relatively low global threat level, wetlands are in long-term decline around the most populations are in long-term decline. Only world; between 1970 and 2015, inland and -dependent parrotfish and surgeonfish, marine/coastal wetlands both declined by and dragonflies have a low threat status. approximately 35%, where data are available, three times the rate of forest loss. In contrast, Water quality human-made wetlands, largely rice paddy and Water quality trends are mostly negative. Since reservoirs, almost doubled over this period, now the 1990s, water pollution has worsened in forming 12% of wetlands. These increases have almost all rivers in Latin America, Africa and not compensated for natural wetland loss. Asia. Deterioration is projected to escalate.

Biodiversity Major threats include untreated wastewater, Overall available data suggest that wetland- industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and dependent species such as fish, waterbirds and changes in sediment. By 2050, one-third of the turtles are in serious decline, with one-quarter global population will likely be exposed to water threatened with extinction particularly in the with excessive nitrogen and phosphorous, leading tropics. Since 1970, 81% of inland wetland to rapid algal growth and decay that can kill fish species populations and 36% of coastal and and other species. Severe pathogen pollution marine species have declined. affects a third of rivers in Latin America, Africa and Asia, with faecal coliform bacteria increasing Global threat levels are high (over 10% of species over the last two decades. Salinity has built up globally threatened) for almost all inland and in many wetlands, including in groundwater, coastal wetland-dependent taxa assessed. Highest damaging agriculture. Nitrogen oxides from levels of extinction threat (over 30% of species fossil fuels and ammonia from agriculture cause

4 Ramsar | Global Wetland Outlook Executive Summary | 2018 Page 031 acid deposition. Acid mine drainage is a major Ecosystem services pollutant. Thermal pollution from power plants Wetland ecosystem services far exceed those and industry decreases oxygen, alters food of terrestrial ecosystems. They provide critical chains and reduces biodiversity. At least 5.25 food supplies including rice and freshwater trillion persistent plastic particles are afloat in and coastal fish, and , fibre and the world’s oceans and have huge impacts in fuel. Regulating services influence climate and coastal waters. In nearly half OECD countries, hydrological regimes, and reduce both pollution water in agricultural areas contains pesticides and disaster risk. Natural features of wetlands above national recommended limits. These often have cultural and spiritual importance. impacts harm our health, undermine ecosystem Wetlands offer recreational possibilities and services and further damage biodiversity. tourism benefits. While some global data on ecosystem services are available, more targeted Ecosystem processes information is urgently required for national Wetlands are one of the most biologically and local decision-makers. productive ecosystems. They play a major role in the water cycle by receiving, storing and Storage and sequestration of carbon by releasing water, regulating flows and supporting wetlands play an important role in regulating life. River channels, floodplains and connected the global climate. Peatlands and vegetated wetlands play significant roles in hydrology, but coastal wetlands are large carbon sinks. Salt many “geographically isolated” wetlands are marshes sequester millions of tonnes of carbon also important. However, land use change and annually. Despite occupying only 3% of the land water regulation infrastructure have reduced surface, peatlands store twice as much carbon connectivity in many river systems and with as the world’s forests. However, freshwater floodplain wetlands. Wetlands regulate nutrient wetlands are also the largest natural source of and trace metal cycles and can filter these and methane, a greenhouse gas, especially when not other pollutants. They store the majority of well managed. Tropical reservoirs also release global soil carbon, but in the future climate methane, sometimes offsetting the reported change may cause them to become carbon low-carbon benefits of hydropower. sources, particularly in permafrost regions. © Gabriel Mejia

Ramsar | Global Wetland Outlook Executive Summary | 2018 5 Page 032 Drivers

Wise use of wetlands requires a thorough understanding of the drivers of change so that the root causes of wetland loss and degradation can be addressed. Wetlands continue to be lost and degraded through drainage and conversion, introduction of pollution and invasive species, extraction activities, and other actions affecting the water quantity and frequency of flooding and drying.

These immediate drivers are in turn affected by indirect drivers, relating to supply of energy, food, fibre, infrastructure, tourism and recreation. Climate change is a direct and indirect driver of change. Therefore, adaptation and mitigation measures can have multiplier effects in addressing other drivers of wetland change. Global megatrends are also important, including demography, globalization, consumption and urbanization, with climate change creating uncertainty at every level. © Charlie Waite

6 Ramsar | Global Wetland Outlook Executive Summary | 2018 Page 033 The Ramsar Convention

The purpose of the Ramsar Convention is to The Ramsar Convention is uniquely positioned promote wetland conservation and wise use. to reverse the loss of global wetlands. This ensures that the benefits of wetlands As the only international treaty focused on contribute towards meeting the UN Sustainable wetlands, it provides a platform to deliver Development Goals (SDGs), Aichi Biodiversity many global wetland-related targets. In fact, Targets, Paris Agreement on Climate Change, wetlands contribute directly or indirectly to and other related international commitments. 75 SDG indicators. Of critical importance is The fourth Ramsar Strategic Plan guides the the Convention’s role in reporting on wetland work of the Convention in addressing the extent drawing on information from national drivers of loss, fostering wise use of wetlands, reports as a co-custodian with UN Environment enhancing implementation of the Convention of SDG indicator 6.6.1. The Convention and effectively conserving and managing the provides a platform like no other to foster Ramsar Site network. Parties to the Convention collaboration and partnership in support of have already committed to maintaining the other international policy mechanisms through ecological character of over 2,300 Wetlands of providing the best available data, advice and International Importance covering nearly 250 policy recommendations to enable national million hectares, 13-18% of global wetlands. governments to realize the benefits of fully functional wetlands to nature and society. © Maria Kerstin

Ramsar | Global Wetland Outlook Executive Summary | 2018 7 Page 034 Responses

Urgent action is needed at the international and national level to raise awareness of the benefits of wetlands, put in place greater safeguards for their survival and ensure their inclusion in national development plans. In particular:

• Enhance the network of Ramsar Sites • Apply economic and financial incentives and other wetland protected areas: for communities and businesses: funding designation of over 2,300 internationally for wetland conservation is available through important wetlands as Ramsar Sites is multiple mechanisms, including climate encouraging. However, designation is change response strategies and payment for not enough. Management plans must be ecosystem services schemes. Eliminating developed and implemented to ensure their perverse incentives has positive benefits. effectiveness. Less than half Ramsar Sites Businesses can be helped to conserve wetlands have done this as yet. through tax, certification and corporate social responsibility programmes. Government • Integrate wetlands into planning and investment is also critically important. the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda: include wetlands in • Integrate diverse perspectives into wider scale development planning and action wetland management: multiple wetland including SDGs, the Paris Agreement on values must be taken into account. To ensure Climate Change, and the Sendai Framework sound decision-making, stakeholders need an on Disaster Risk Reduction. understanding of wetland ecosystem services and their importance for livelihoods and • Strengthen legal and policy human well-being. arrangements to protect all wetlands: wetland laws and policies should apply cross- • Improve national wetland inventories sectorally at every level. National Wetland and track wetlands’ extent: knowledge Policies are needed by all countries. An supports innovative approaches to wetland important tool here is the avoid–mitigate– conservation and wise use. Examples include compensate sequence recommended by remote sensing and field assessments, citizen Ramsar and reflected in many national laws. science and incorporating indigenous and local It is easier to avoid wetland impacts than to knowledge. Identification and measurement restore wetlands. of indicators of wetland benefits and drivers of change are key to supporting wise use policy • Implement Ramsar guidance to and adaptive management. achieve wise use: Ramsar has a wide range of relevant guidance. Ramsar A broad range of effective wetland conservation mechanisms – such as reports on changes options is available at the international, national, in ecological character, the Montreux catchment and site level. Good governance and Record of Ramsar Sites at risk and Ramsar public participation are critical throughout, Advisory Missions – help to identify and management is required, investment essential address challenges to the conservation and and knowledge critical. management of Ramsar Sites.

© Ramsar Convention 2018. Ramsar Convention Secretariat. 28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. Tel. +41 22 999 01 70

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this information product are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Ramsar Convention and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Convention on Wetlands (the Ramsar Convention) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention, is a global inter-governmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and cover photograph © Charlie Waite their resources. It is the only global treaty to focus on one single ecosystem.

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