Tropical Water Resources

Ali'i, Aloha, Hafa Adai, Hello, Hola, Kaselehlie, Lotu Wo, Mogethin, Talofa, Tirow!

You might not expect to find a small New England-based environmental planning and engineering firm working on tropical islands. It's not the piña coladas that bring us here, it's the wastewater, urban runoff, and sediment plumes that inspire our Mālama Honua.

Coral polyps are having a rough go of it these days, but we believe healthy watersheds, clean water, and thriving humans can help alleviate some of their stress. We have been fortunate to collaborate with islanders around the globe on tackling stormwater management, sustainability, and watershed resiliency issues. Many of our projects address critical environmental challenges including climate change, watershed health, and natural resource protection.

Partners

Federal Partners: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program and Restoration Center • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • US Department of the Interior • US Environmental Protection Agency • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

State & Territorial Agencies: American Samoa Coral Reef Advisory Group • CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality • CNMI Office of Grants Management • Guam Coastal Management Program • Guam EPA • Hawaii Department of Health • Hawaii Water Agency Response Network • Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board • VI Department of Planning & Natural Resources • VI Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation • BVI Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour

Other Organizations: Association of Reef Keepers • Birds Caribbean • Coral Bay Community Council • Geographic Consulting • Guam Contractors Association • Hirschman Water and Environment • Hui’ o Ko’olaupoko • Island Green Building Association • KOA Consulting • Pacific Coastal Research & Planning • Protectores de Cuenca • St. Croix Environmental Association • The Mustique Company • The Nature Conservancy • Virgin Islands Conservation Society • West Maui Ridges2Reef

Areas of Expertise

Projects described below can be found here at the Tropical Resources StoryMap.

Watershed Restoration & Monitoring
A true gem of the Caribbean, we have worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Protectores de Cuencas (PDC), and others for over a decade on watershed restoration and monitoring activities to better manage land-based sources of pollution on Culebra.
Bird & Mangrove Habitat Restoration
HW led a team of biologists, managers, and artists under a project with the USVI Division of Fish & Wildlife looking at several facets of island bird and mangrove habitats. The St. Croix Environmental Association, Geographic Consulting, and Birds Caribbean are heading up bird monitoring efforts, science teacher birder trainings, traditional hunting workshops, and mangrove restoration planning. Look for new murals at the airport next time you are in Charlotte Amalie or flying into St. Croix.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Ka'opala has a sediment problem. It doesn't rain that often, but when it does, look out! Shoreline erosion threatens the coastal access road and utilities, causes residential flooding, and creates highly turbid plumes.
Beach Road Shoreline Resiliency
HW has worked with Pacific Research & Planning under a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) project to develop a master plan for the Beach Rd. Pathway to improve shoreline stability, water quality, and recreational amenities for a section of the path. This master plan is an attempt to offer alternatives and integrate objectives from DPW road improvements, Army Corps shoreline projects, and the National Park Service's outdoor recreational priorities.
Diary of a Talakhaya Stream Monitor
These diary entries reflect the methodology, challenges, and results of multi-year stream monitoring to quantify reductions in soil loss achieved from badland revegetation in the 1,00-acre Talakhaya watershed.
Watershed and Shoreline Resiliency
When do you get to plant giant orange bromeliads in a stormwater practice? When you are installing a rain garden at an elementary school with the Association of Reef Keepers and Quito's restaurant!
Smith Bay Watershed Strategy St. Thomas, USVI
Through an EPA non-point source program grant, we worked with the Virgin Islands Conservation Society, Smith Bay Community Foundation, and Coral World to develop a Watershed Restoration Strategy .
Outdoor Recreation Planning CNMI
HW teamed up with KOA Consulting and the Office of Grants Management to develop the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI's) Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. This National Park Service program provides a valuable source of financial support for protecting resources and providing facilities for public recreational use.