Hui o Koʻolaupoko: Watershed Management and Community

On Friday, June 13th, we volunteered at Hui o Koʻolaupoko, a 501(c)3 non-profit watershed management group that strives to improve water quality statewide via ecosystem restoration and storm water managerial efforts. Led by Executive Director Kristen Nalani Kane, this morning volunteering session helped our group become closer to the ʻāina (land that which feeds) by learning about native plants and wildlife.

Facilitating non-profit organizations take a village, and this one was no exception. Speaking with Kristen, she identified how much of her Hui o Koʻolaupoko's support came from community members, who were eager to volunteer and help in any way possible. I was even able to see a bit of this community firsthand, watching Kristen speak with a connection and her son, as well as two neighbors of the restoration site who both spoke very highly of her group's work. One neighbor even set out a water pitcher for the group with cups to try and compensate for Hawaiʻi's intense heat. I even offered to Venmo a bit, but his kindness was so strong that he smiled and added, "it's on me," to the service.

One neighbor also helped out the organization by providing a trap. It may seem like a negative action, but this trap was well-intentioned and crucial to the bird's success. Known as ʻAlae ʻUla, this native duck species is known for its red beak and chicken-like feet, different from most ducks. However, one had a fishing hook stuck in its beak, and although the fishing line was thankfully removed, the bird was still in need of assistance, so Kristen took it upon herself to try and assist the bird in getting the care it needed at the vet. This story is yet another example of how supportive the Hawaiʻi non-profit community is: everyone is willing to chip in and help for a great cause.

I also had the privilege of learning about the Auku'u bird, specifically the Auku'u Kane (male) bird that is known for its extreme intelligence and fish hunting capabilities. Kristen even shared a story of how she watched one of the birds place bread in the water, wait for a fish to swim near it in hopes of a snack, and then eat the bird. Moreover, the bird then took the bread out of the water and went right back to its method in an alternative spot. Seeing this bird fly through the Kawainui Marsh, our volunteering site, was a particularly neat and memorable experience.

Thus, when we were tasked with removing the black plastic from a restoration site, a technique that removes invasive weed species, I knew the importance of supporting the native species and vegetation. Plus, we were also helping keep the ecosystem safe from unintentional human intervention, as the native habitat was spreading into a nearby parking lot where cars could hurt the environment. I even saw a Cane Toad, an invasive species brought to the island to control the sugar cane beetle population, underneath the plastic in the process.

This volunteering experience served as a reminder of the collaboration needed between human-intervening restoration and the natural environment. Between industrial, commercial, and private development, Hawaiʻi's native species, vegetation, and habitats have been adversely affected in highly concerning ways. Thus, the best action at this point is human intervention to stop the uncontrolled conquering of native land and attempts to restore the beautiful and deserving environments of their resources and opportunities for growth. As I continue my journey here on Oʻahu, I will continue to keep this perspective of restorative action at the front of my mind. Ensuring that I volunteer to help the ʻāina and prioritize its needs and intentions is vital, and so, I will ensure I fulfill that goal each volunteering session.