July 8th – Keawawa Wetland Volunteer Workday

Keawawa Wetland conducted one of its regular Second Saturday volunteer workdays on the morning of July 8, 2023. The day started with the staff briefly explaining the wetland and its role in helping to grow the population of the endangered ‘alae ‘ula, Hawaiian waterbird, and providing instructions on the work activities. It was a beautiful day, with a welcoming cloud cover and a gentle breeze.

Activities focused on removing weeds around desired native plants along the hillside and bagging them for disposal.

During a break in the work, one of the kupuna of the staff provided an oral history of how the five-acre site was saved from development (through a partnered effort with Trust for Public Land), and gradually worked from the kiawe and other overgrown brush into the restored heiau, including ancient coconut grove, natural spring-fed well, and agricultural terraces.

In addition to Hawaii Kai Lions Club volunteers Frances Lum, Cynthia Chun, Kendrick Chang, and Bill Kern, around ten (mostly regular) volunteers from the community joined the event.