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The Waters of Waikane Valley
Posted: July 21, 2008
I hiked to the very back of Waikane Valley to photograph the charming streams that originate in the Koolau Mountains and flow down the landscape into Kaneohe Bay on the Koolaupoko Coast of windward Oahu.
When the sugar plantations controlled Hawaii in 1916, groundwater was diverted to Leeward Oahu from a series of Windward Valleys – Waikane, Waiahole, Waianu, Hakipuu and Kahana – to irrigate the sugarcane fields in Ewa and Kunia. Little concern was given to the devastating effect it had on stream wildlife, taro farmers, and the ecology of Kaneohe Bay when natural springs dried-up and stream flow was reduced. Only since 1997 (just 11 years ago), after legal battles were waged following the closure of the sugar plantations, was the water flow restored to Waikane and other streams.
This cascading stream with kalo (taro) thriving along its banks is fed by a tunnel bored into the mountain-side that taps the groundwater. This tunnel once diverted the groundwater to leeward Oahu but based on rulings by the Hawaii Supreme Court has been re-directed to supply Waikane Stream with much of its water. Under these rulings, the water flow in Waikane Stream is monitored to ensure minimum levels of flow.
Bracket fungi grow on fallen trees alongside mountains pools in the wet jungles of Waikane Valley. They fungi play important role breaking down fallen trees to recycle their nutrients for other plants and animals to use.
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Fragrant ginger blossoms overlook the life-giving waters of Waikane as they cross the service road and fall back into the streambed. This stream crossing provides an opportunity to splash in the cool refreshing waters of Waikane Stream.
Ferns thrive alongside mosses on wet rock faces in the very back of Waikane Valley.
Waikane Stream cascades over the landscape through wet jungles as it makes its way downhill towards the sea.
Maiden hair ferns thrive along tree roots on the banks of Waikane Stream.
Now that water in Waikane Stream has been restored, the native stream wildlife has a chance to return. It is my hope that the native o’opu (gobies), opae (shrimps), and hihiwai (freshwater limpets) that once thrived in Waikane Stream make a stunning comeback.
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SOURCES:
Commission on Water Resource Management, State of Hawaii, In the Matter of Water Use Permit Applications, Petitions for Interim Instream Flow Standard Amendments, and Petitions for Water Reservations for the Waiahole Ditch Combined Contested Case Hearing, Stream Ecology (Personal Testimony and Instream Post-Release Studies), Pg 29-46
Ruling by the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii, In the Matter of the Water Use Permit Applications, Petitions for Interim Instream Flow Standard Amendments, and Petitions for Water Reservations for the Waihole Ditch Combined Contested Case
Sites of Oahu, by Elizabeth Sterling and Catherine Summers – Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1978, p. 188-189
Terje Tvedt, Eva Jakobsson, Richard Coopey, Terje Oestigaard, I.B., “A History of Water” Taurus Publishers, 2006, pg 38-45
Waikane Valley Nature Park Master Plan
Once again, stunning photos.
Aloha,
Bob