Background: In August 2023, approximately 1,400 acres of land were burned as a result of Hurricane Dora. Impacted were rangeland, heavily wooded gulches, and a few residences above Haleakala Highway. The gulches are ephemeral streams.

There are five projects undertaken in Olinda through the EWP. NRCS recommended three major projects for Olinda in the Olinda Damage Survey Response Report (DSR). Two additional projects were identified and approved by NRCS for the Olinda area:

Olinda EWP Project Status:

• Landowner agreements have been executed.

• Contracts for gulch clearing executed.

• Kaluapulani Stream Clearing, Phase I

  Phase I encompassed the clearing of burned debris along 3,879 linear feet of Kaluapulani Stream, to where it intersects Haleakala Highway moving south. In September 2024, a 30-foot perimeter was established around sections of historical rock walls as identified by NRCS archaeologists. Contractors worked to clear burned debris from the streambed. Phase I of this project was completed and approved by NRCS as of October 16, 2024.

• Kaluapulani Stream Clearing, Phase II

  Phase II work was executed in November and December 2024 and encompassed the clearing of burned debris along a total of 4,136 linear feet of Kaluapulani Stream. As of December 19, 2024, Phase II was completed and reviewed by NRCS staff to ensure project implementation met NRCS specifications and standards.
  

• Kailua Gulch
  In September and October 2024, contractors commenced and completed tree removal and chipping work in Kailua Gulch on Haleakala Ranch land. The clearing project encompassed approximately 1,198 linear feet. On October 8, 2024, NRCS staff visited the site to ensure project implementation met NRCS standards and specifications.

• Kailua Gulch Burnt Tree Removal on Hupp-Rivers' property
  October 15, 2024: At the request of the Hupp-Rivers property owner, approximately 100 burned, dead trees were identified. These trees had perished as a result of the August 8 wildfire and were at risk of falling into the gulch and moving downstream, potentially causing severe damage to downstream infrastructure. The contractor began dropping trees and mulching in January 2025. This project was completed on February 7, 2025. NRCS conducted a field review on February 13, 2025, and verified work had been completed to NRCS specifications.

• Next steps:

  Continue work on Haleakala Ranch clearing. Work in progress:

Updated: April 11, 2025