Upcoming service projects

Ulupo Heiau service project – Dec. 12th 8:30 am

Na Pohaku o Hauwahine service project – Dec. 19th 8:30 am

details same as those posted earlier (scroll down to see them)

Geology of Kailua Ahupua‘a tour – Sat. Oct. 3rd

Sign up with Ahahui now so you can go on the popular Geology of Kailua Ahupua‘a tour to take place on Saturday, Oct. 3rd. Dr. Floyd McCoy of Windard Community College will lead the geology tour (via car-pooling) to different sites around Kailua and Kawainui Marsh. The tour will start at 8:30 am. A donation of $5.00 is requested at time of sign-in on the 3rd. Contact Kaimi Scudder for reservations and further information at 593-0112. Or email <email@ahahui.net>  Check this blog for updates.

Also, see the post below about our meeting and Dr. McCoy’s Geology talk at WCC on Oct. 2.

Service Project at Ulupo Heiau Sat. June 13th

Please come to Ulupo Heiau on Saturday June 13th from 8:30 am-12:30 pm on our Community Service Work Day. We will be weeding in the lo’i kalo, raking leaves, cutting Hau and bamboo, picking up rubbish, etc. Bring gloves, water and snacks. Call Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email Malia Bird Helela <hemanumalia@hotmail.com> if you can join us on the 13th. Ulupo Heiau is located behind the Windward YMCA in Kailua, Oahu. Malama ‘aina.

Volunteers work in the lo'i kalo at Ulupo Heiau

No Ulupo Heiau service project on May 9th

Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi will NOT be conducting a service project at Ulupo Heiau on Sat., May 9th due to a docent training project. We will have a service project at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine on May 16th starting at 8:30 am.

Ahahui supports biocontrol of strawberry quava in Hawaii

April 20, 2009

To: County of Hawaii – State of Hawaii

FROM: Chuck K. Burrows, Ed.D., President of Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi

RE: Resolution No. 80 09 – Requesting a ban on the release of biological control agents on the island of Hawaii

Aloha Council members, ‘Ahahui Mälama I Ka Lökahi, Hawaiians for the Conservation of Native Ecosystems, opposes Resolution No. 80 09 requesting a ban on the release of biocontrol agents on the island of Hawaii, including insects, fungi, bacteria, virus, or other pathogens, for any tree species related to the ‘Ohi’a (Metrosideros polymorpha), including all species of the family Myrtacaea, such as the strawberry guava(Spidum cattleianum).

These are our reasons:

1. The ban on biocontrol agents is too general in its scope and will be detrimental to the survival of all Hawaiian endemic plants such as ‘Ohia Lehua (Metrosiderous polymorpha) from the spreading alien invasive strawberry guava (Spidum cattleianum).

2. The resolution’s Whereas, these biological control agents “may adapt and evolve to begin attacking related species, including the ‘ohi’a lehua” is a false assumption not based on scientific research and data.

3. Infact, a valid statement can be made that if there is no biocontrol to slow the vigorous growth of the strawberry guava, the native endemic ‘Ohia Lehua and Koa forest ecosystem will be decimated in years to come.

4. Over 15 years of extensive and controlled scientific research in Hawaii and in Brazil have been carefully conducted to determine that the recommended biocontrol (Tetococcus ovatus) for strawberry guava CAN NOT SURVIVE and DOES NOT FEED ON ‘OHIA AT ALL!

5. Tetococcus oavatus which is a natural parasite that has evolved with strawberry guava in its native Brazil has not been found on other Brazilian myrtaceous plants to indicate a host shift from strawberry guava to another related host plant over its long evolutionary time scale.

6. The biocontrol T. ovatus has been tested in Hawaii on a broad range of related myrtaceous plants and other agricultural food crops, and all evidence has shown that this biocontrol insect is extremely host specific.

7. Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi firmly believe that if our native endemic forests and wildlife would no longer exist due to the ravages of alien invasives such as strawberry guava, so would the identity of the Hawaiian indigenous people and its culture which evolved from the natural landscape.

We kanaka moali strongly urge you to vote NO on this resolution.

Mahalo for your deliberation and consideration, 
 


Charles K. Burrows, Ed.D. President

Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi P.O. Box 751 Honolulu, Hawaii 96808

Ahahui Service Projects

‘AHAHUI MALAMÄ I KA LOKAHI, KAILUA HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB and KAWAI NUI HERITAGE FOUNDATION

In cooperation with the following allied environmental and Hawaiian cultural organizations:

DLNR Division of State Parks, Windward YMCA, Hui O Ko‘olaupoko

Invites you to kokua and malama the
Ramsar Kawainui/Hamakua Wetlands of International Importance

on our upcoming 2009 SERVICE PROJECTS

ULUPO HEIAU (Night of Inspiration) one of the first sacred temples to have been built as a “mapele” (agriculture) heiau by the first people or menehune and dedicated to Kaneulupo. The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi are the co-curators at this State Park heiau complex and conduct service projects every second Saturday of the month to restore the ethno-botanical and cultural features.

NA POHAKU O HAUWAHINE (The rock formation of the Hawaiian Mo`o goddess and guardian of Kawainui Marsh) is located on the makai side of Kapa`a Quarry road about one mile in from Pali Highway. It offers a panoramic view into the “piko” of Kawainui Marsh where one can observe in tranquility the wetland birds and marsh vegetation. Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi is the curator for this sacred site. We are planting the 12 acres with native plants to recreate a dryland forest ecosystem. Brush removal and trail construction has revealed ancient Hawaiian terraces that align the massive rock outcrops. We are also working in the marsh, to create a wetland bird habitat. Service projects are held the third Saturday of each month.

KAWAINUI ESTUARY WETLAND BIRD ISLET and KAHA NATIVE LANDSCAPE RESTORATION – As part of the Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi restoration program in Kawainui Marsh, an islet located at the Kaha Park side of the Kawai Nui estuary has been cleared of alien vegetation and landscaped as a wetland bird habitat. Ahahui assists Hui o Ko‘olaupoko in maintaining a Hawaiian plant landscape at Kaha (Kawainui Neighborhood Park).

Meeting time for all service projects will be at 8:30 am and completed by 12:30 pm. Meeting places for Ulupo Heiau will be at the heiau parking area next to the Windward YMCA. For Na Pohaku o Hauwahine it will be on the right side of Kapa’a Quarry Rd. about one mile from the intersection of Kapa’a Quarry Rd. and Kalanianaole Hwy. For the Kaha Landscape maintainence we meet at the Kawainui Neighborhood Park.

(Dates of projects may be subject to change depending on weather or other circumstances. Check for updates at the AML blog: http://www.ahahui.wordpress.com)

UPCOMING SERVICE PROJECT DATES – 2009

Sat. Feb. 21 Na Pohaku o Hauwahine
Sat. Feb. 28 Kaha (Kawainui Neighborhood Park)
Sat. Mar. 14 Ulupo Heiau – Lo’i Kalo
Sat. Mar. 21 Na Pohaku o Hauwahine
Sat. Mar. 28 Kaha (Kawainui Neighborhood Park)
Sat. Apr. 11 Ulupo Heiau – Lo’I kalo
Sat. Apr. 18 Na Pohaku o Hauwahine
Sat. Apr. 25 Kawainui Estuary Islet (by Kaha Park)
Sat. May 9 Ulupo Heiau – Lo’i Kalo
Sat. May 16 Na Pohaku o Hauwahine
Sat. May 23 Kaha (Kawainui Neighborhood Park)

WHAT TO BRING: Backpack, lunch, water, rain gear, mosquito repellent, gloves.

TOOLS: Sickles, pruners, handsaws, hand cultivators.

CALL: Phone: 593-0112 or email email@ahahui.net or hemanumalia@hotmail.com for more information and to sign-up for these service projects.

(Rev. 2/28/09)

Celebrate Ramsar World Wetlands Day Feb. 16th

Learn about why Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh are listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. There will be exhibits, talks and wetland places to go check out. Free – open to the public.

Kawainui Neighborhood Park, (at end of Kaha Street), Kailua, Hawaii

Program:

9:00am Welcome & Opening Protocol
• Sam Ohukaniohia Gon
• Herb Lee, Master of Ceremonies
“Ramsar Designation for Wetlands of Importance”
• Dr. Charles Burrows, ‘Ahahui Mālama I Ka Lōkahi
“DLNR’s Vision for Kawainui-Hāmākua”
• Laura H. Thielen, Chairperson of DLNR
”City Support for Kawainui Marsh”
• Cyndy Aylett, Project Manager, Mayor Hanneman’s Office
“Kawainui Marsh Environmental Restoration Project”
• Nani Shimabuku, Army Corps of Engineers
“Managing Kawainui-Hāmākua Wildlife Sanctuary”
• Paul Conry, Administrator, DOFAW
Remarks:
• Senator Jill Tokuda
• Representative Cynthia Thielen
• Representative Pono Chong
• Terry George, Castle Foundation
Recognition of the Stewards of Kawainui
9:00am Wetland Exhibits
10:00am Depart Kawainui Neighborhood Park for Tour Sites
10:30am Tours Begin at 4 Sites
• Ka‘elepulu Pond • Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine
• Hāmākua Marsh • Kaha Native Plant Garden
12:00pm Closing Remarks

Board of Land and Natural Resources approves land transfer for Kawainui Marsh

Great News!

The Board of Land and Natural Resources today approved the land ownership transfer details of Kawainui Marsh from the City & County of Honolulu to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. This will allow the Army Corps Of Engineers restoration project to proceed as well as give access to Division of Forestry and Wildlife for all of the marsh that was owned by the city and county.

Mahalo to all who had some involvement in getting this process done. Time to move forward!

Service project on Sept 20th at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Native ground cover on a slope at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

We will meet Saturday, Sept 20th from 8:30am-12:30pm at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. (about a mile in from Pali Hwy.) to work on several different projects, weeding in the native plant areas, clearing alien plants, hauling in mulch, watering native plants. Dress in work clothes with covered shoes, bring gloves, a cutting or digging tool, your canteen of water and snack. Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112, email <email@ahahui.net> or Malia Bird Helela <hemanumalia@hotmail.com> to register for the service project.

Community service project at Ulupo Heiau Aug. 9th

Please come to Ulupo Heiau on Saturday Aug. 9th from 8:30 am-12:30 pm on our Community Service Work Day. We will be weeding in the lo’i kalo, raking leaves, cutting Hau, picking up rubbish, etc. Bring gloves, water and snacks.  Call Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email Malia Bird Helela <hemanumalia@hotmail.com> if you can join us on Saturday.