Kaunalewa and its community partners propose a comprehensive environmental mitigation and revitalization program to elevate capacity of existing programs and widely supported initiatives

The project leverages an EPA brownfield job training awarded in FY2022 and previous environmental justice collaborative problem-solving (EJCPS) grant-funded projects and programming. This broad initiative will include community-oriented and collaborative inclusion, leading to greater participation of native hawaiian families across the project. Core proposed activities include solid waste mitigation along aquatic passageways, community remediation programs to reduce harmful environmental activities (e.g., illegal dumping), green infrastructure strategies to improve water and soil quality. This comprehensive environmental justice program will further advance local economic development, heavily dependent on agricultural output and, by extension, environmental stewardship. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $500,000. Preaward costs are approved back to may 1, 2024. Activities:the activities include: installation of water filtration systems in public spaces and schools impacted by contamination; establishing a repository of native plants and trees for distribution to community members; disposal of nuisance vehicles and abandoned industrial waste; adult environmental job training and youth conservation education, and green remediation of spaces in the community.subrecipient:kekaha hawaiian homestead association staff provide environmental educational opportunities to hawaiian beneficiaries in their native hawaiian language. As well as installing native plants and trees along aquatic passageways on homestead lands. West kauai united methodist church will support clean water awareness to elderly kekaha sugar plantation workers and parents of young children. The church will also provide volunteers for distributing and installing native trees and plants. Kaunalewa plans to maintain and sustain these relationships into the future and will leverage the partnership advanced through this partnership towards current and future environmental, economic, and social justice projects. Surfrider foundation will assist with organized beach cleanups and the harmful impacts of illegal dumping education. Earthjustice will use its environmental expertise to assess existing water and conservation management plans that will help inform the public on the depth of the issue and how people can advocate for cleaner water policies. Outcomes:kaunalewa and its partners seek to improve water quality and public access to clean water and agricultural purposes in the mana ahupuaa. This project will principally serve the residents of mana ahupuaa, who have been historically marginalized and exposed to generational toxic manufacturing and contaminants from illegal dumping. Kaunalewa will bring a voice, dignity, safety, and agency to mana ahupuaa's people across three community empowerment themes. Kaunalewa will provide immediate relief to the community through a comprehensive environmental revitalization project. IT will educate the local population by raising awareness about local toxic conditions and their potential impact on health. Lastly, kaunalewa will lead and also empower the local native hawaiian community to advocate for clean water through participation in legislative decision-making.