Project Description
Find Yourself On The Path To The Sea
Invaders have dug a stronghold on the shores of the Windward Coast, and threaten to hide traditional routes to the sea. Invasive plant species that found their ways to the streams, valleys and estuaries of the Hawaiian Islands are encroaching on the natural irrigation routes, leaving them nearly impassible. Join Hui o Ko'olaupoko to gain an understanding of Hawaii's unique ecosystems and what can be done to protect and restore them. At the breathtaking He'eia State Park, you can help to remove invasive species from the He'eia Estuary and replace them with Hawaiian native plants which aid in erosion control, filtration of stormwater runoff and provide habitat for other native species. Once removed, the invasive plants will be chipped, composted and re-purposed on site. Using the up-cycled organic material closes the loop and aids in weed suppression, limits exposure and erosion of the freshly bare soil and adds nutrients back into the earth for the planting and cultivation of the native species.
Join us (nearly) every Third Saturday to:
Secure the beauty and health of the Hawaiian Islands.
Restore habitat for fish and shorebirds.
Outplant native Hawaiian species
Take in awe inspiring views.
Play in the mud.
Play & learn while you work.
Below is a brief description of the Heʻeia Estuary Restoration Project and you can also find more information and pictures on our website.
Since the Spring of 2015, Hui o Ko’olaupoko has been wortking at the mouth of He’eia Stream to clear invasive mangrove and other non-native plants in an effort to restore stream flow, re-plant native plants and improve habitat for native aquatic species and shorebirds. The majority of invasive species removal was completed in under one year and the re-planting of native species began in February 2016.
Volunteers will be involved in clearing invasive plant species from the stream and shoreline area using small hand tools and hand pulling small weeds as we work to open and create areas to outplant native species. We will wrap up this service event with a short walk on to the private He’eia Fish Pond wall to hear about its historical significance and how efforts to restore the fish pond are directly linked to the HOK project and other projects in the ahupua’a (valley).
• Closed-toe shoes are required
• Please wear clothes and shoes you don't mind getting VERY wet & muddy
• Bring a water bottle and sun/rain/bug protection, change of clothes
• Restroom facilities are located at the main/upper park building
• Participants under age 16 must have adult supervision.
• Participants under the age of 18, attending without their parent or legal guardian must bring the signed waiver, all others will sign the waiver upon arrival.
The meeting location for the workday is He'eia State Park 46-465 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe. Please park in the parking lot and follow signs to the coastline along the southern portion of the park.
Please RSVP to receive directions to the meeting location. RSVP to TJ Calistro 277-5611, volunteer@huihawaii.org
He’eia Estuary workdays for 2017 will be held:
• Saturday July 15, 9 am - 12 pm
• Saturday August 19, 9 am - 12 pm
Our community workdays and volunteer events happen rain or shine! In the rare event that we would need to cancel a workday due to unsafe weather conditions, we will update our Facebook Page with the event status no later than one hour prior the scheduled start time.
Find Yourself On The Path To The Sea
Invaders have dug a stronghold on the shores of the Windward Coast, and threaten to hide traditional routes to the sea. Invasive plant species that found their ways to the streams, valleys and estuaries of the Hawaiian Islands are encroaching on the natural irrigation routes, leaving them nearly impassible. Join Hui o Ko'olaupoko to gain an understanding of Hawaii's unique ecosystems and what can be done to protect and restore them. At the breathtaking He'eia State Park, you can help to remove invasive species from the He'eia Estuary and replace them w...
Project Map
Publicly Accessible: Yes
County: Honolulu County, HI
Project Size:
Project Sites
Goals and Targets
Primary Motivations:
-
Conservation Mission
Protecting ocean health by restoring the aina: mauka to makai
Consistent With Plans:
Targeted Habitats:
- Aquatic
- Marine
- Rivers and Streams
Targeted Species:
No targeted species were identified for this project.
Conservation Actions
Action |
Status |
Start Year |
End Year |
Control invasive plants |
Completed |
2010 |
2014 |
Outcomes
Is the success of this project's actions being monitored? No/Unknown
Citation
Environmental Protection Agency, Hawai'i Department of Health, Papahana Kuaola, Hui Ku Maoli Ola, and Ke Kula o Samuel M. Kamakau.