Help monitor water quality in West Maui
West Maui volunteers are sought for a new community-based water quality network called Hui O Ka Wai Ola.
An informational meeting about volunteering for the network will be held on Thursday, April 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center at 788 Pauoa St. along Lahainaluna Road.
The Hui O Ka Wai Ola team will explain why understanding the state of coastal water quality is important, why we need to supplement the data that is currently available, and what is involved in becoming a volunteer.
Anyone interested in learning more about volunteering for the coastal water quality monitoring network, or better understanding current water quality issues on Maui, is welcome to attend.
West Maui Watershed & Coastal Management Coordinator Tova Callender explained in an e-mail that “grants have been secured for sampling in West Maui, so we are ready to begin training volunteers and begin collecting samples soon. As interest and grants are secured for other regions of Maui, the program will be expanded.”
Serving as a network volunteer is a significant commitment, so learning more about the opportunity is the first step in seeing if it is right for you.
For more information on the meeting or Hui O Ka Wai Ola, call Callender at (808) 214-4239. Related information on the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative is available at www.westmauir2r.com, and the West Maui Kumuwai campaign is detailed at www.westmauikumuwai.com.
If you care about clean water in West Maui and want to help gather data on near shore water quality, sign up and volunteer.