Over the years, the Ala Wai canal has been a depository for mud, organic debris, trash and various pollutants. Sludge (rotten, organic material) forms and accumulates due to oxygen deficiency. In the sludge, putrefactive bacteria decompose organic matter, but also produce harmful gases such as methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. These compounds produce a toxic environment in the canal. The Genki Ala Wai Project is a non-profit project under the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation. We aim to use bioremediation technology to make the Ala Wai Canal fishable and swimmable within seven years. A systemic approach will be used to address flood mitigation in the watershed. Our goal is to empower all stakeholders in the ahupua`a to be involved – students, teachers, and the community working together to restore the Ala Wai ecosystem.