Ko’olau Mountains Watershed Partnership

What We Do

KMWP works across over 110,000 acres of the Ko’olau Mountains. Our partnership was formed with the goal to protect our watershed resources and increase the recharge of our aquifers with high quality water through active conservation of our forested lands.

We work across landowner boundaries to eliminate threats to the watershed such as habitat-modifying invasive weeds and ungulates like goats and wild boars. Our focus is on combining protection with restoration using a combination of adaptive management strategies and established conservation practices. These methods include the installation of ungulate-proof fencing, various weed removal techniques, restoration planting, and long-term monitoring.

We also reach out to local communities, individuals, and organizations to connect them with service-learning opportunities and give them the chance to learn about and protect their native ecosystems and watershed resources.

Who We Are

The Koʻolau Mountains Watershed Partnership (KMWP) is a voluntary alliance of major public and private landowners committed to the protection of the native Hawaiian forests of the Koʻolau Mountains. These landowners recognized the importance of these forest ecosystems for their ability to replenish the underground aquifers which provide the majority of the fresh water used on Oʻahu—approximately 133 billion gallons each year.

Since the formation of the partnership in 1999, our mission has been to maintain the health of the forested expanses of the Koʻolau range as a reliable source of high quality water for Oʻahu’s people in perpetuity. KMWP works to coordinate and perform critical forest management actions such as controlling the spread of invasive plants and animals across nearly 100,000 acres of partnership lands. The mitigation of threats to the integrity of our native forests is crucial to safeguard our precious fresh water resources into the future.

For volunteer opportunities or educational programs, please contact Melani Spielman at koolaupartnership@gmail.com

Cause Areas

Animals, Environmental Conservation, Cultural Preservation, Education & Training, Community Engagement, Non Profit Support

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