Livable Hawaii Kai Hui

Programs: Project 1: in 2016 livable hawaii kai hui took over operations at aloha aina o kamilo nui nursery (aaok) to help the nursery farmer and neighboring farmers. Aaok is situated on just under 3-acres within the 87-agricultural acres of kamilonui valley (hawaii kai). The nursery is 45 years old with aged infrastructure. This once thriving typical plant nursery, under lhk hui, is being converted to a nursery that focuses on sustainable practices with emphasis on growing maunalua raised plants for community restoration projects. The nursery is volunteer driven and led by 5 core members of which two are lhkh board members. The previous years mamaki project (native plant for tea) proved successful. Packaged mamaki tea leaves and crushed, is a seasonal product of the nursery as is honey, herbs, orchids, anthuriums, palms, neem and rental of trees and shrubs for events. Native plants grown are not sold to the public but grown exclusively for maunalua-based community restoration projects. In 2016, several workshops were held in the restored piko hale. Bananas, papaya and breadfruit are given away to residents, lunalilo home and volunteers.

project 2: restoration work continued on the land (5-acres) purchased in 2014 (hawea heiau complex and keawawa wetland off hawaii kai drive) for the protection of cultural sites registered with the state historic preservation division and the protection of federally protected /endangered alaeula (hawaiian moorhen). Keawawa wetland also provides habitat for indigenous aukuu (black-crowned night heron), endemic pinao (giant green darner dragonfly), various species of native damselflies, and endangered aeo (hawaiian stilt) thus the monthly water and land-based predator control program started in 2014, was continued with greyboar wildlife services. Except for planning and implementation of a specialty fence within the oahu club side of the wetland and upland trees, our natural resources conservation service conservation plan was completed and acknowledged via public nrcs signage. Out-plantings are marked, and temporary signs installed noting the plants by hawaiian name. During the summer months all vegetation is hand watered. During the rainy season we focus on planting. New native seedlings (125) were planted in 2016. Ecology advisor charles van rees, a ph. D. Candidate, tufts university (tufts institute of environment) guided us on a wetland enhancement pilot program plus banded additional alaeula at keawawa. He also led a successful grant opportunity with disney conservation fund between tufts university, livable hawaii kai hui and conservation council for hawaii. The coconut tree coco who lost her crown late 2015, was gifted back to livable hawaii kai hui as a drum (made from the trunk of the tree) named kanialaa at a ceremony led by cultural educator kaleo paik. Master wood carver brad cooper along with local hula halau and area kupuna and cultural practitioners arranged the cultural ceremony at the base of hawea heiau complex. The public attended.

project 3 and other projects: we continued contract work with a cultural educator for pahua heiau and hawea heiau as well as continued to contract a natural resource educator to facilitate eco-cultural education and activities utilizing keawawa wetland and hawea and pahua heiaus as outdoor learning laboratories including place-based volunteer programs for students and the community. Cultural educator kaleo paik successfully secured a small grant for lhkh, via hawaiian chamber of commerce, to commence with development of a maunalua docent program. During the year, monthly community volunteer days opened the land to the public, including tours of hawea heiau. Other guided tours were arranged as requested by the community. Cultural practitioners conducted equinox celebrations, drumming and hula. Businesses and youth and church groups conducted community service projects. Volunteers were instructed on restoration practices, and school groups were taught science-based curricula. Together with avalon development (7000 hawaii kai drive) we debuted a joint landscape plan for open park space on hawaii kai drive and keahole. The plan is targeted for installation by phase commencing late 2017 through 2019. The womans community correctional facility continue to volunteer once a month. We produced 12 episodes of a monthly program on olelo called maunalua: past. Present. Future. And worked to improve our social media program run by the huis youth advisors. We also launched www. Kaiwicost. Org website to share ka iwi news including updates on the corridor management plan for the maunalua makapuu scenic byway being developed by community with the assistance of townscape. The maunalua makapuu scenic byway is in partnership with the state division of transportation.