The Hamakua Wetlands Need Our Help – Many local Residents and Groups over the last few years have worked to restore the status of The Hamakua Wetlands. Thanks to those efforts the Wetlands, including Kawainui Stream, are now a Ramsar internationally recognized Wetland and are protected by the State of Hawaii as a Wildlife Sanctuary. The stage is set for concerned Kailuans to roll-up our sleeves. Scroll down to learn more.
A Kawainui Stream Maintenance Day has been scheduled with the Hawaii DLNR to occur:
– Saturday, August 10, 2019 –
- – 9:00 am to noon –
Kawainui Stream Maintenance Day – Help clean Kawainui Stream as it flows along the Hamakua Marsh. As the makai bank of Kawainui Stream is rapidly eroding we’ll only (see below*) be accessing Kawainui Stream from the water, remaining in kayaks and STAYING OFF the bank. We’ll launch from the DLNR kayak launch point on Hamakua Drive just beyond the Firestone bridge, see image below.
Use this location to move your kayak(s) from your vehicle into the staging area just inside the chainlink fence. Police will be on hand to moderate Hamakua Drive traffic.
Paddlers will need to bring their own kayaks to accommodate the number of people in their own crews. Local surf shops will also provide kayaks at this Stream location for those volunteers who don’t have them. These kayaks will be offered to volunteers at 9:00 am, first come, first served. Volunteers are also free to rent kayak(s) at any of Kailua’s kayak shops. Don’t wait ’til the 10th to try to rent. No kayaks will be offered for rent at the Stream site.
*You’re still welcome if you don’t have access to a kayak. We’ll need volunteers for the shore crew as well. Paddlers will be pitching trash bags to the top of the makai Stream bank for the roving shore crew to collect.
Bring tools to help you reach trash from your kayak. Plastic bags and drinking water will be provided. Plan to get wet and dirty. Hats, gloves and sun-screen are recommended.
Post Clean-Up – Leilani’s Island Tacos and Lanikai Brewing Company welcome you to discounted food and hydration at their 167 Hamakua Drive location. WALK or DRIVE to this Stream-side location, and clean up with CrossFit Kailua‘s outdoor shower on the Marsh end of the same building. Wash off the day’s mud before relaxing in Lanikai Brewing or in CrossFit’s “backyard”.
Sign-up at: iVolunteer.
Sponsored by The Hamakua Group.
