Overview: In August 2023, the Kula Fire burned approximately 300 acres of Maui up-country in the community of Kula on Haleakala Volcano. The burn extended through residential areas and unmanaged rangeland from above the Haleakala Highway (Route 377) to just above Lower Kula Road (Route 37). The fire was fueled by vegetation surrounding Pulehu Gulch, an ephemeral stream, and was carried to the NW by strong winds from Hurricane Dora. The land to the SW of the gulch is primarily unmanaged rangeland and the land to the NE of the Gulch is residential development. Approximately 20 houses burned in this fire. More than 90 landowners may be assisted by this project.

Resource Concerns: Water-induced erosion is a primary resource concern resulting from the Kula Fire. If left unaddressed, erosion is expected to undermine house foundations, obstruct flow through culverts and bridges, damage sensitive aquatic ecosystems, and degrade public use areas.

Without intervention, woody debris and sediment is expected to obstruct culverts, bridges and associated roads needed for transportation, including emergency services. For example, the bridge immediately downstream of the Kula burn unit, at Lower Kula road, already has a history of overtopping. Fire induced damage to the watershed will exacerbate this problem.

Recommended Practices:

  • NRCS recommends converting the firebreak along the SW bank of Pulehu Gulch, below Route 377, into a gravel access road. A gravel road will provide equipment access to the SW bank of the gulch, reduce dust, reduce erosion, reduce runoff, and facilitate continued firebreak protection. NRCS recommends the application of wood chip mulch and seeding between the proposed access road and the top of the gulch ban.

  • NRCS recommends the application of wood chip mulch and seeding on bare soil firebreaks and a few other targeted areas (approximately 32 acres total within the Kula burn scar).

  • NRCS recommends the clearing and removal of debris from streambeds within the burn area.

  • NRCS recommends the use of log erosion barriers in two areas where water enters Pulehu Gulch by overbank flow.

  • NRCS recommends use of a 48 x 12 x 1 foot gabion mattress below the house at 20.77571 N, 156.30572 W.

Please see the Kula Damage Survey Response Report for more information.

Kula EWP Project Status:

Updated: March 26, 2024

Request for Information: Kula EWP Program Project Director

Posted: March 26, 2024
Response due: April 5, 2024

The Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District (CMSWCD) was awarded a grant by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in response to the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. The wildfires impacted more than 7,500 acres in Upcountry Maui – Pulehu, Kula, and Olinda – resulting in debris and exposed soil. These conditions present a significant risk of heavy soil erosion, flooding, and infrastructure damage, especially during a major rain event.

The USDA NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program grant offers vital recovery support for local communities to reduce hazards to life and property caused by major storms, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters. The funding provided will enable CMSWCD to work with landowners to stabilize the landscape to address the burned area and protect communities and the ecosystems, including that downslope of the burned area. 

The CMSWCD is seeking a consultant to manage the implementation of the EWP program scope for Kula:

  • Project coordination

  • Prepare Landowner Agreements for execution by CMSWCD. Consult with landowners, contractors, and project partners to enable the execution of Landowner Agreements with all impacted landowners to deploy the NRCS recommended practices according to NRCS standards.

  • Define Contractor Scope for contract execution by the CMSWCD. Contractors shall provide services and materials needed to execute the practices.

  • Manage Contractors

  • Inspect work being implemented to ensure compliance with plans and specifications and recommend needed modification.

  • Technical support

  • Reporting. Prepare necessary reports (i.e., job diary, quantity computations, digital photos, as-builts) to certify that work meets NRCS requirements.

Anticipated Period of Performance: Date of Award – June 28, 2024, with possible no cost extension. Consultants interested in assisting with the EWP project for Kula may submit a brief proposal to Central Maui SWCD (email: mauiswcds@gmail.com) explaining capabilities, proposed services, and cost estimates.

Additional requirements:

  • State of Hawaii, General Conditions for contracts under Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 103D.

  • Vendors must demonstrate proof of compliance. This includes a Certificate of Good Standing from Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Tax Clearance from the Department of Taxation, and Compliance with HRS Chapter 383, Hawaii Employment Security Law (Unemployment Insurance), 386 (Worker’s Compensation Law), 392 (Temporary Disability Insurance), and 393 (Prepaid Healthcare Act), from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.