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How did
Hamakua Marsh come to be?
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At one
time, the Hamakua Marsh area was an ancient lake by
the shore of the ocean. The ocean spray in the
morning light, made mist on the hill behind, called
Pu'u o Ehu, which means "Misty Hill". As time went
on, the ocean levels dropped, exposing more land.
Hamakua Marsh came into existance around 1400 AD.
Water from Kawai Nui Marsh flowed through Kawai Nui
Stream to feed Hamakua Marsh. The water then
skirted Kaelepulu Pond and drained through a canal
into Kailua Bay.
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In 1952, a
canal was built along the entire length of the Kawainui
Marsh and past Hamakua Marsh. This canal replaced Kawainui
Stream and was thirty yards wide and three yards deep, to
helps in flood control. This caused Hamakua Marsh to dry out
more. One reason the canal was built was to increase
drainage to provide more pastureland on the upper edge of
Kawainui Marsh. It also provided flood-free land for housing
on the makai(ocean side) of the canal. Due to flooding in
1987, the berm was raised 10 feet. This blocked off Kawainui
Stream for good. Hamakua is now dying as a wetland.
Currently, the community is hoping to protect , sustain, and
enhance Hamakua Marsh.
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Scientists
took a core into the suface of Hamakua Marsh in
1993. It was 6.5 meters in depth. The top 50
centimeters are terrestrial dating from 1400 AD.
Particles of grass, silt, and roots are present.
Sedge roots and pollen suggest that the water
was fresh water, perhaps just slightly
brackish.
As we go
deeper into the ground, we go back in time.
Around 4000 B.C. ,rounded coral pebbles are
seen. These may have washed in through tidal
movement. Deeper there is some sand. Even
further down we find clay, more marine shells
and less non-marine shells. As we continue our
journey in time, the sediment has more marine
debris with more clay.
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BACK
TO HAMAKUA
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