Happy Holidays from Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi

Aloha kakou:

To all of our Board of Directors, members, supporters, volunteers, cooperating organizations and the rest of you folks:

Happy Holidays

We look forward to a better year ahead.

Kaimi, Doc and the Univ. of Michigan student volunteers at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Malama ‘aina

Birds of the Marsh Tour Sat. Dec. 5th

Birds of the Marsh tour

Leader: Ron Walker, wildlife biologist

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009   (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Learn about Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds and the efforts to restore the Kawainui, Hamakua and Kaelepulu wetlands.

The tour will go to Hamakua wetlands at Creekside in Kailua, then to Kaelepulu. The third stop would be at Kawainui Neighborhood Park (Kaha) to look at the Kawainui Estuary and islets and, finally to Na Pohaku o Hauwahine to look at the volunteer created wetland bird restoration project.

This natural history tour is co-sponsored by Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi, Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation and the Hawaii Audobon Society.

A $5.00 donation is requested. We will car-pool between sites.

Please sign up for the tour with Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi by calling 593-0112 or emailing to email@ahahui.net.

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.

Save Oct. 2 evening for Ahahui membership meeting and talk by Dr. Floyd McCoy

Ahahui is planning a general membership meeting and lecture by Dr. Floyd McCoy at Windward Community College on Friday, October 2, 2009 at Hale Akoakoa room 105. At 6:00 p.m. learn more about Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi, its programs and projects and meet fellow members, volunteers and others interested in learning more about Hawaii’s environment. Dr. McCoy will be talking at 7:00 p.m. about the Geology of the Kailua ahupua’a. This will be an excellent way to learn more before the Ahahui geology tour on Oct. 3rd. The public is invited to attend. For further info. contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112, or email <email@ahahui.net>

Note: we changed the site to Hale Akoakoa room 105.

Natural & Cultural History Tour of Kawainui Marsh Sept. 5th

Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi and the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club will begin
their Fall Kawainui Marsh Educational Series, Saturday Sept. 5, 2009 with an
introductory natural and cultural history tour of Kawainui Marsh.  It will
include possible interpretive sites around Kawainui Marsh that could be used
for kiosks and even a Kawainui Gate Park Visitor Center.  (Next month on Oct.
3rd, Dr. Floyd McCoy, geologist at UH/Windward Community College will lead
the geology tour.)  Handouts of our educational tours and service projects
schedule for the remaining of this year and 2009 will be distributed on
Saturday, and see post below for further information.

Travel back in time when Kawai Nui Marsh and Kaelepulu Pond (Enchanted Lake)
were ocean bays and the first Polynesians came to the shores of the ancient
Kawainui Lagoon, constructed their heiau, (sacred temples), fishpond and
taro terraces.  Chuck “Doc” Burrows, Hawaiian naturalist will lead
participants on a driving/walking tour from Ulupo Heiau to Na Pohaku o
Hauwahine and the Kawainui Estuary at Kawainui Park. He will explain how
these sites were used in ancient and historic periods and present plans by
community volunteers, State and Federal agencies to restore the health of
the natural and cultural ecosystems of the marsh and the Kailua Ahupua¹a.
New residents to Kailua are encouraged to come. The tour will start at 8:30
am and be completed by 12:00 pm.  A donation of $5 is requested.

Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or reply <chuckb@hawaii.rr.com> for more
information and registration.

Service Projects at Kawainui Marsh

‘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 & DOFAW, Windward YMCA

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 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.

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.

(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. July 18    Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Aug.  8    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’i Kalo

Sat. Aug. 15   Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Sep. 12    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’i Kalo

Sat. Sep. 19           Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Oct. 10    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’I kalo

Sat. Oct. 17    Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Nov. 14    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’I kalo

Sat. Nov. 21    Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Sat. Dec. 12    Ulupo Heiau – Lo’i Kalo

Sat. Dec. 19    Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

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. 7/07/09)

KAWAINUI MARSH TOURS – 2009

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

These 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 to the Windward YMCA by 1:00 pm. A donation of $5.00 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.

2009 KAWAINUI TOURS

1. Sat. – July 11 – Ulupo Heiau Hoike (10 am – 3 pm)

2. Sat. – Sept. 5 – Cultural and Natural History Tour of Kawainui Marsh

3. Sat. – Oct.  3  – Geology of the Kailua Ahupua‘a

4. Sat. – Nov. 7 – Archaeological  & Historic Sites of Kawainui/Hamakua

5. Sat. – Dec. 5 – 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.)

Service Project at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Please join with us on Saturday August 15th from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. by Kawainui Marsh, Kailua.  Our restoration efforts at this site is to remove alien plant invasives and replant with endemic natives. We are also restoring a native wetland bird habitat in the marsh.  We will be primarily concerned with weeding in areas planted with natives and watering to keep the young plants alive and growing.  Wear work clothes, shoes, bring your gloves, weeding or cutting tool, water and snack.  Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 if you’re coming and for more information.  See Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi’s website at: <www.ahahui.net>

Service Project at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine July 18th

Please join with us on Saturday July 18th from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. by Kawainui Marsh, Kailua.  Our restoration efforts at this site is to remove alien plant invasives and replant with endemic natives. We are also restoring a native wetland bird habitat in the marsh.  On Saturday we will be primarily concerned with weeding in areas planted with natives and watering to keep the young plants alive and growing.  Wear work clothes, shoes, bring your gloves, weeding or cutting tool, water and snack.  Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 if you’re coming and for more information.  See Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi’s website at: <www.ahahui.net>

Community Meeting on Future of Kawainui Marsh invite from Sen. Tokuda

Kawai Nui Marsh Discussion on Next Steps – March 28th

Dear Friends, As you know, the transfer of title between the City & County and the State of Hawaii last year was a critical turning point for the restoration and preservation of Kawai Nui Marsh. With land ownership now resolved, it is important that we take the next steps as a community to determine our shared vision for the marsh and the best way to get there. From the conversations I’ve had with our congressional delegation and various federal agencies, there is a strong interest and desire to continue supporting projects in the marsh. Knowing this, the community advocates who have shouldered the weight of protecting and restoring Kawai Nui all these many years should provide the direction for where we go from here, and what projects are a priority for the community. On Saturday March 28th from 1:30pm-4:00pm at Le Jardin Academy’s Wong Auditorium, the Harold Castle Foundation and I will be hosting the first in what will likely be a series of facilitated planning discussions on Kawai Nui Marsh. Your presence and participation will be critical to our success. Please help us, also, by forwarding this invitation to past, present and future stakeholders and advocates for the marsh. If you will be able to attend, please contact us at 587-7215 or via email at sentokuda@capitol.hawaii.gov. This will give us a headcount, and help us plan for the event. If you have any questions or cannot attend but would like to be kept informed about the outcomes of the discussion, please do not hesitate to contact us as well. I look forward to seeing you there!

Mahalo! Jill

Senator Jill N. Tokuda

District 24 Kaneohe, Kailua, and Enchanted Lake

Majority Whip

Chair, Committee on Higher Education

Vice Chair, Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture & Hawaiian Affairs

Phone: 587-7215 Fax: 587-7220

www.senatortokuda.com

Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi encourages your participation in this meeting.

Kaimi Scudder