2008 THE NATURAL and CULTURAL HISTORY TOURS of the KAILUA AHUPUA`A and KAWAINUI MARSH

THE  NATURAL  and  CULTURAL  HISTORY  TOURS of  the KAILUA  AHUPUA`A  and  KAWAINUI  MARSH

Sponsored by ‘Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi,  Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation

The educational tours of the Kailua Ahupua‘a and Kawainui Marsh are offered to inform residents and visitors about the Hawaiian archaeological, historic and ecological resources of the marsh.

The tour groups meet at Ulupo Heiau next to the Windward Kailua YMCA at 8:30 am and walk, as well as car pool, to the various sites. Return trip is usually back to the Windward YMCA by 1:00 pm. A donation of $5.00 for non-members and $3.00 for members will be accepted for the tour. Donations are used to support the cultural and ecological restoration work of Kawainui Marsh. Group size will be limited to 25 persons.

2008 KAWAINUI TOURS

1. Sat. Feb. 2 -  Ramsar World Wetlands Day – Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh
2. Sat. Mar. 1 -  Native Plant Revegetation Projects in Kawainui Marsh
3. Sat. May  3 -  Archaeological sites and historic sites of Maunawili Valley
.   4. Sat. June 7 -  Kailua Bay – Geological and Marine Resources
5. Sat. June 21 - Ulupo Heiau Hoike
6. Sat. t.b.d.          Aquatic Animals & Insects of Kawainui streams & Marsh
7. Sat. Aug. 10 or 24 – KHCC Poi and Papale
8. Sat. Sept. 6 - Cultural and Natural History Tour of Kawainui Marsh
9. Sat. Oct.  4  - Geology of the Kailua Ahupua‘a
10. Sat. Nov. 1 -  Archaeological  & Historic Sites of Kawainui/Hamakua
11. Sat. Dec. 6 -  Birds of the Marsh (Kawainui, Hamakua & Kaelepulu)

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

WHAT TO BRING:  Backpack or Fanny-pack, walking shoes, water bottle, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, rainwear, hat or cap, sunglasses. Optional: camera and binoculars.

CONTACT INFO: Call 593-0112 for more information and to register for these educational tours, or email: email@ahahui.net or hemanumalia@hotmail.com

(There are also service-learning trips for elementary through college age students to our project sites around Kawainui Marsh. Contact us for more information.)
(Revised 3/25/0

Celebrate World Wetlands Day in Hawaii - 2/2/08

You are invited to help celebrate World Wetlands Day. Learn why Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh Complex in Kailua, Oahu was designated a Ramsar Site in February 2005. On Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 we will celebrate World Wetlands Day at Le Jardin Academy from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be exhibits, speakers, events for the kids, free tours to Na Pohaku o Hauwahine, Kawainui Neighborhood Park garden, Hamakua wetland and Ulupo Heiau State Historic complex. See what may happen to restore Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh Complex, learn about the wildlife, and native plant restoration projects and how you can get involved in helping to malama this cherished area. The event is free. Sacred to Hawaiians, Kawainui Marsh is the largest remaining emergent wetland in Hawai‘i and the state’s largest ancient freshwater fishpond. Located in the center of the caldera of the Ko‘olau shield volcan., the marsh today provides primary habitat for four of Hawaii’s endemic and endangered waterbirds. The marsh stores surface water and provides flood protection for Kailua town.Hamakua Marsh is a smaller wetland that is historically connected to the adjacent Kawainui Marsh. Is also provides significant habitat for Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds.Fostering worldwide wetland conservation is the primary goal of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. First signed in 1971, this international treaty promotes conservation activities that also incorporate human use. Participation in the Convention brings nations together to improve wetland management for the benefit of people and wildlife and promote biological diversity.  See:  www.ramsar.org  and,  www.ramsarcommittee.usThere are more than 1,600 Ramsar designated sites in over 150 countries, including 22 sites in the U.S. Many of these sites are National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh Complex is the only current Ramsar site in Hawaii. 

Service Project at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

The third Saturday of the month is our scheduled service project day to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. We will meet Saturday, Dec. 15th 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, planting 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 or Malia Bird Helela to register for the service project. Email <email@ahahui.net>

Birds of the Marsh Tour (Kawai Nui, Hamakua & Kaelepulu)

On Saturday, December 1st, Ron Walker a wildlife biologist with Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi will lead a tour of the Kailua Waterways, which includes Kawai Nui Marsh, the Hamakua State Wildlife Sanctuary and the private Kaelepulu Wetlands Preserve. We will carpool from the meeting site. A donation of $5.00 would be appreciated. Be prepared with sunscreen, rain gear and good footwear. It is anticipated that the tour will finish about 11:30 AM at Kaelepulu. For reservations and more information, contact Rick Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email <email@ahahui.net>

‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi receives a Grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) for the restoration of Na Pohaku o Hauwahine in Kawai Nui Marsh, O‘ahu, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi receives a Grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) for the restoration of Na Pohaku o Hauwahine in Kawai Nui Marsh, O‘ahu, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

‘Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi (AML) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $23,066 from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to revegetate endemic plant species and create a wetland bird habitat for the endangered ‘Alae ula (Hawaiian gallinule) at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine in Kawai Nui Marsh, O‘ahu, a Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance. The award is for a one-year period.  As curator of the site, AML works closely with the State DLNR-Division of State Parks and Division of Forestry and Wildlife to protect and enhance the site’s cultural, ecological, and archaeological treasures.

AML will use a part-time person skilled in Hawaiian cultural practices and the restoration of Hawaii’s natural resources to help lead the restoration efforts by volunteer individuals and groups and assist with teacher-training at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. AML will improve the water pumping system, which is needed during dry periods. AML will also acquire from native Hawaiian plant growers a range of native dry forest plants and associated plant propagation supplies that would allow for the continued expansion of the 12-acre planted areas of Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. AML will enlist the services of college students and professors and other volunteer professionals in the GPS and GIS mapping of on-site botanical and cultural resources of Na Pohaku o Hauwahine.

AML has received grants in the past from the LEF Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for the dryland forest and wetland bird habitat restoration at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. The OHA grant will allow for continued work through 2008.  AML will also seek a Ramsar Convention Grant to promote the Kawai Nui/Hamakua Marsh Complex as one of the United States’ 22 wetlands of international importance.

‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi’s mission is to develop, promote, and practice a Native Hawaiian conservation ethic relevant to our times that is responsible to both the Hawaiian culture and science. This ethic is protective of native cultural and natural heritage and is expressed through research, education, and active stewardship. AML’s website is http://www.ahahui.net.

Malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine - service project

The third Saturday of the month is our scheduled service project day to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. We will meet Saturday, Nov. 17th 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, planting native plants or restoring the wetland bird habitat. 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 or Malia Bird Helela to register for the service project. Email <email@ahahui.net>

Malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine - service project Oct. 20th

The third Saturday of the month is our scheduled service project day to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. We will meet Saturday, Oct. 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 garden, hauling in mulch, cutting hau and working in the wetland bird habitat. 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 or Malia Bird Helela to register for the service project.

Malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine - service project

The third Saturday of the month is our scheduled service project day to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. We will meet this Saturday, Sept. 15th 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 garden, hauling in mulch, cutting hau and working in the wetland bird habitat. 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 or Malia Bird Helela <hemanumalia@hotmail.com> to register for the service project.

Sign up for Natural and cultural history tour of Kawai Nui Marsh

Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi, the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and The Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation will begin their Fall Kawai Nui Marsh Educational Series, Saturday Sept. 1, 2007 with an introductory natural and cultural history tour of Kawai Nui Marsh. Chuck “Doc” Burrows, Hawaiian naturalist and conservationist, will lead participants on a driving/walking tour from Ulupo Heiau to Na Pohaku o Hauwahine, the Kawai Nui Estuary at the Kawai Nui Neighborhood Park and A’ala (Lanikai) Point, places where active restoration and maintenance are taking place. He will explain how these sites were used in ancient and historic periods and present plans by community organizations, state and federal agencies to restore the health of the natural and cultural ecosystems of the marsh and the Kailua Ahupua’a. New residents to Kailua are especially encouraged to come. The tour will start at 8:30 am and be completed by 12:30 pm. A donation of $5 is requested. Contact Rick “Kaimi” Scudder at 593-0112 or email Malia Bird Helela <hemanumalia@hotmail.com> for more information and registration for this tour.

Putney Travel students do service-learning in Kawai Nui Marsh

Sixteen students from a number of states on the mainland traveled to Oahu during July to assist Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi in their conservation and restoration projects at Kawai Nui Marsh. The Putney Travel group, which is headquartered in Vermont, sends high school students to Hawaii to do service-learning projects each summer. Among the sites they work at is Ulupo Heiau and Na Pohaku o Hauwahine, which are under the curatorship of Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi. The visiting group is being supervised by AML President Chuck Burrows, Hanaloa Helela and Kaimi (Rick) Scudder. The students have worked to open auwai’s, cut and move Hau, and weed the taro lo’i at Ulupo Heiau. At Na Pohaku o Hauwahine they have helped clear brush off of archaeological sites, build trails, and weed and dig out the alien plants and muck in the wetland demonstration pond. Ahahui is very appreciative of the significant amount of work being accomplished by these visiting mainland students. Other mainland student groups are encouraged to do likewise. Call AML at 808 593-0112.

Check out the Honolulu Advertiser story on the Putney group working at our site:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070727/NEWS01/707270336/1001/NEWS01