Volunteers assemble a 30,000-gallon water-catchment system on Keokea-Waiohuli Hawaiian homelands in October. Photo courtesy Kekoa Enomoto

An upcountry water-catchment project, where volunteers from the public can participate in installing multiple, 15,000 gallon catchment tanks, is helping create long-term sustainability and foster independence on Maui.

Project manager Kamaka’oli Freidenburg, who works with nonprofit Pa`upena Community Development corporation who oversees the initiative, said these systems are needed for two main reasons – they are a pono (righteousness) use of natural resources that create more sustainability, and are a fundamental part of fostering independence.

“It wasn’t long ago that Hawaiians were living completely sustainably on the islands and we want to promote more sustainable options for the future,” he said. “The other reason is independence. With droughts and limited water supplies on Maui, the 15,000 gallon water tanks in these systems allow for farmers to use saved water even in dry times. This means they can continue to grow and harvest their crops with less fear.”

Freidenburg said the specific project is made possible by a nearly $200,000 Maui Department of Agriculture grant that focuses on installing several rainwater collection systems on Hawaiian homelands to make it easier for farmers to live and grow their crops.

He said he’s passionate about the project because of what it can do for the people here.

“I am passionate about this project because it is real, tangible, and an important thing we can do right now to make life easier for people living on Hawaiian homelands,” he said. “It isn’t just an idea or a plan, we are really doing it and making a difference today, and that feels really good. Water is also essential for life on the island, and anything we can be doing to help make water more secure and sustainable is exciting.”

The workdays are a part of the organization’s Project WAI`AINA grant initiative, where the catchment systems are being developed at the Keokea and Kahikinui homesteads.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25, at the Keokea Hawaiian Homestead.

Pa`upena CDC is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving beneficiaries of the 1921 Hawaiian Homestead Commission Act federal trust. Kekoa Enomoto, one of the founding and current board members, started Pa’upena CDC to help native hawaiians live on DHHL’s land. A Territory of Hawai`i commitment to manage the trust’s 203,000 acres is what secured 1959 Hawai`i statehood. Hawaiian homestead leases of up to 198 years provide a basis for multigenerational-family farms in the islands.

Learn more at paupena.org.