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Student Design Challenge
Graphic credit: University of Hawai‘i (UH) Sea Grant College Program and UH Mānoa School of Architecture.
The "Make the Ala Wai Awesome" Student Design Challenge, was announced by the University of Hawai‘i at the U.S.-hosted 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress. The Challenge looks to unlock student innovation and creativity to craft solutions that address critical urban watershed and island issues, specifically, restoring watershed ecologies and exploring culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
The University of Hawai'i seek ideas from the brightest minds of our youth and students to help advance the collective goals and action agenda of the Ala Wai Watershed Partnership (AWWP) (e.g., stream and ecosystem restoration, green stormwater infrastructure, water capture and reuse, sediment control, flood mitigation, contemporary urban ahupua'a, Ala Wai as a destination, education and engagement with community/youth, coalition of teams with local participation, etc.).
The University of Hawai'i seek ideas from the brightest minds of our youth and students to help advance the collective goals and action agenda of the Ala Wai Watershed Partnership (AWWP) (e.g., stream and ecosystem restoration, green stormwater infrastructure, water capture and reuse, sediment control, flood mitigation, contemporary urban ahupua'a, Ala Wai as a destination, education and engagement with community/youth, coalition of teams with local participation, etc.).
TIMELINE
Sept 5th, 2016 - Design competition announced @ IUCN-WCC
Sept - Dec 2016 - Outreach to students
Jan 9th, 2017 - Design Challenge opens
Jan 9th-31st, 2017 - Registration period
March 17th, 2017 - Design entries close
May 2017 - Exhibition of design entries at various locations
June 2017 - Winners announced at the University of Hawai'i-hosted World Youth Congress 2017
Sept 5th, 2016 - Design competition announced @ IUCN-WCC
Sept - Dec 2016 - Outreach to students
Jan 9th, 2017 - Design Challenge opens
Jan 9th-31st, 2017 - Registration period
March 17th, 2017 - Design entries close
May 2017 - Exhibition of design entries at various locations
June 2017 - Winners announced at the University of Hawai'i-hosted World Youth Congress 2017
Background
Hawai‘i is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and droughts. The impact of a “100-year” storm in the Ala Wai Canal Watershed, including Waikīkī, would affect approximately 1,358 acres within the watershed, including over 3,000 properties with an estimated $318 million in structural damages alone. The economic risk to the Waikīkī area from a category 4 hurricane (i.e., Hurricane Iniki-strength) hitting Honolulu could result in an estimated $30 billion in direct economic losses and structural damages, severely impacting Honolulu, O‘ahu, and the state.
Waikīkī and surrounding areas already experience localized flooding in streets and parks after rainstorms. The Ala Wai Canal is oft-cited as one of the most heavily polluted water bodies in the nation. In March 2006 as much as 10 million gallons of raw sewage were dumped into the Ala Wai Canal following the rupture of a sewer line due to heavy rains, and as recently as August 2015, heavy rains caused a major sewage spill, forcing the city to temporarily close beaches in Waikīkī. Beyond Hawai‘i, Waikīkī is an iconic national landmark and globally recognized visitor destination. Furthermore, Waikīkī generates 8 percent of Hawaii’s GDP, 7 percent of its employment, and 9 percent of its tax revenues.
Waikīkī and surrounding areas already experience localized flooding in streets and parks after rainstorms. The Ala Wai Canal is oft-cited as one of the most heavily polluted water bodies in the nation. In March 2006 as much as 10 million gallons of raw sewage were dumped into the Ala Wai Canal following the rupture of a sewer line due to heavy rains, and as recently as August 2015, heavy rains caused a major sewage spill, forcing the city to temporarily close beaches in Waikīkī. Beyond Hawai‘i, Waikīkī is an iconic national landmark and globally recognized visitor destination. Furthermore, Waikīkī generates 8 percent of Hawaii’s GDP, 7 percent of its employment, and 9 percent of its tax revenues.
Area Information
The Ala Wai Canal Watershed is located on the south side of the Island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. The watershed encompasses 19 square miles and extends from the ridge of the Ko‘olau Mountains (~2,900 feet) to the nearshore waters of Māmala Bay (~6 miles). It is a ridge and valley system that includes Makiki, Mānoa, and Pālolo streams, which flow to the Ala Wai Canal, a 2-mile-long, man-made waterway constructed during the 1920s to drain extensive coastal wetlands for the development of the Waikīkī District.
The Ala Wai Canal Watershed is the most densely populated watershed in Hawai‘i, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the island’s population (approximately 200,000 residents; or roughly 14 percent of the state’s population). The upper portion (~40 percent) of the watershed is Conservation District (State Land Use Classification). The remainder is heavily urbanized, supporting single family residences, condominiums, hotels and businesses, as well as many public and private schools (over 30 K-12 campuses and two major universities), including the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), the largest university in the state. The day-time population in the watershed surges as a result of several private schools and UHM, employment centers in Waikīkī and at UHM, as well as visitors in Waikīkī – this influx nearly doubles the permanent resident population of the area.
Despite significant human health issues associated with poor water quality in the canal, fishing is a common recreational activity. Paddling sports (e.g., outrigger canoe and kayaking) are very popular – the canal has the single largest concentration of canoe clubs in the state. The canal promenade is heavily used for walking, running, biking, and commuting. In addition to being the most heavily used inland waterway in the state for recreational activities, the Ala Wai Canal System (including the contributing streams and upland trail systems) has been identified as a regionally outstanding recreational resource.
The Ala Wai Canal Watershed is the most densely populated watershed in Hawai‘i, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the island’s population (approximately 200,000 residents; or roughly 14 percent of the state’s population). The upper portion (~40 percent) of the watershed is Conservation District (State Land Use Classification). The remainder is heavily urbanized, supporting single family residences, condominiums, hotels and businesses, as well as many public and private schools (over 30 K-12 campuses and two major universities), including the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), the largest university in the state. The day-time population in the watershed surges as a result of several private schools and UHM, employment centers in Waikīkī and at UHM, as well as visitors in Waikīkī – this influx nearly doubles the permanent resident population of the area.
Despite significant human health issues associated with poor water quality in the canal, fishing is a common recreational activity. Paddling sports (e.g., outrigger canoe and kayaking) are very popular – the canal has the single largest concentration of canoe clubs in the state. The canal promenade is heavily used for walking, running, biking, and commuting. In addition to being the most heavily used inland waterway in the state for recreational activities, the Ala Wai Canal System (including the contributing streams and upland trail systems) has been identified as a regionally outstanding recreational resource.
