User:Viriditas/South Maui Coastal Heritage Corridor

The South Maui Coastal Heritage Corridor is a recreation and tourism project of the Natural Resources Conservation Service of Maui, known as the Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development. The project is managed by a committee chairperson in cooperation with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Hawaii, Sea Grant Extension Service, and individuals from the community of Kihei. The project protects and provides public access to South Maui's 15 mile leeward coastline.

The project has installed interpretive signs between Maalaea and La Perouse Bay. Each sign describes the historic importance of the area in terms of Hawaiian cultural values and traditions. A network of bike paths is also planned.

Other areas

 * Laie Wetlands, Kihei

Major roads

 * Honoapiilani Highway
 * North Kihei Road
 * South Kihei Road
 * Wailea Alanui Drive
 * Makena Alanui
 * Makena Road

Brief history

 * Corridor Action Committee
 * Grants from Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Maui Office of Economic Development


 * Interpretive signs
 * Trail construction and maintenance
 * Litter patrol
 * Dune restoration
 * Parks enhancement
 * Invasive species removal
 * Native plant care
 * Native seabird protection (UaU-Kani)


 * Kihei Boat Ramp
 * First project begun by Bob and Lis Richardson in 2001, involving the construction of a trail from KBR to the Surf Side Resort to replace a small footpath. The area was cleared out, trees were cut back and garbage removed.  Trail was first widened to 3 and then 5-8 feet in places, and is now lined with coral and mulch.  The coral allows for illumination at night, and was once used by ancient Hawaiians to "light" their paths. (image of coral path at full moon would work well here)
 * Involvement and funding of Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC)
 * Kamaole Beach Park III Dune Restoration
 * Bob and Lis Richardson managed this project from June 2005 - August 2006
 * In 2006, Hoaloha 'Aina (Friends of the Land) applied and received a grant for 600 tons of sand, more than 1000 native plants, irrigation, and temporary sand fencing. New dunes and access paths were created.
 * Native akiaki grass, naupaka, and pohuehue (beach morning glory) were planted
 * Upload images of signs and dunes
 * Discuss private property challenges
 * Flora and fauna section (images needed)
 * Whales, turtles, native seabirds, etc.
 * Add volunteers
 * Add Joe Bertram III of South Maui, HB 1028 - "designates the Piilani walking trail from Makena as a Hawaiian coastal cultural heritage corridor and appropriates funds to improve the trail".
 * Rotary Club participation


 * Need permission to use entire corridor map, which is available as a published graphic.
 * Provided free from the Pacific Whale Foundation
 * Or, simply create a new map

Fauna

 * Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus sandwichensis)
 * Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
 * Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
 * Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi)
 * Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin (S. l. longirostris)
 * Horned ghost crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus)

Birds

 * Common Mynah (Acridotheres tristis)
 * Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
 * Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)
 * Warbling Silverbill (Lonchura malabarica)
 * Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
 * House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
 * Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

Mammals

 * Small Asian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus)

Flora

 * Āheahea (Chenopodium oahuense)
 * Kaunaoa (Cuscuta sandwichiana)
 * Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis) (recovery status unknown)
 * Pau o Hiiaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis)
 * Ohelo kai (Lycium sandwicense)
 * Ihi (Portulaca molokiniensis)
 * Ōhai (Sesbania tomentosa)

Naturalized

 * Kiawe (Prosopis pallida)

Sources to be merged

 * Add: Natural Resources Conservation Service
 * Add Maui News article coverage
 * ,, , , ,
 * Add Maui Weekly articles: ,