The City and County of Honolulu Storm Water Quality Branch sponsored the Keiki Water Festival on Saturday, April 28 at Hawaii's Plantation Village. The branch plans to continue hosting this event, which engages participants in hands-on educational stations regarding clean water and a clean environment, on an annual basis.
The State Department of Health Clean Water Branch and the City and County of Honolulu Storm Water Quality Branch use their mascot Apoha the oopu to encourage residents to protect the Hawaii streams that are home to this unique fish. Five species of native stream fish, four gobies and an eleotrid, reside in these waters; four are endemic, that is they are found no where else on earth, and one is indigenous, native to Hawaii and other locations, as well.
Oopu are excellent indicators of local stream water quality because their life cycle involves time periods spent in both the ocean and freshwater bodies. An increase in the species' population would indicate an improved water quality.
Other participating agencies, businesses and groups included the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Oahu Research, Conservation and Development.
For more information on the relationship between Hawaiian water quality and area species, visit www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/streams/stream_natives.htm
Source: cleanwaterhonolulu.com
