Healing A Stream From Ground Up
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A combination of expertise and sweat invested by volunteers is helping reduce pesticides and invasive plants in Heeia Stream as part of a three-year project supported by a $190,000 EPA grant that also covers long-term upkeep.
On the third Saturday of each month, a partnership of cultural experts and hard-working neighbors are helping restore the stream, which once was an important water source for Native Hawaiians and their downstream fishpond. Since last December, 600 people have given more than 2,000 hours of hard labor to save the upper stream and its riparian habitat.
“Programs like ours are dependent on critical funding and community support,“said Rick Barboza, co-owner with Matt Schirman of Hui Ku Maoli Ola, a nursery at the mauka end of Haiku Road that grows and sells 145 species of native plants. “We are fortunate that the stream project has funding from Kamehameha Schools and the state Department of Health. And volunteers from across the Island ... step up to provide the necessary labor.”
Hawaiian Electric Co., for example, sent 85 employees to the July 17 cleanup, where the goal was to restore native veg to the July 17 cleanup, where the goal was to restore native vegetation along 2,000 feet of habitat.According to Ka’iulani De Silva, HECO’s director of education and consumer affairs, the “sweat equity” was a labor of love.
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“It really helps educate our employees and connect them to what is around them,” she said. “We are literally breaking rocks, digging; we plant trees, we haul wheelbarrows - it’s really hard work. But you feel good afterward. You work hard and you can see a difference.”
Kristen Mailheau coordinates volunteers for Hui o Ko’olaupoko, a nonprofit conservation partner with the nursery. She noted that a study by HPU students found elevated levels of nitrates and other chemicals from fertilizer and pesticide in the stream. By reintroducing native plants, she explained, they can control erosion and reduce chemicals reaching the water.
“We are using plants that are adapted to grow near the stream bank - plants like ahu ava that have nice, deep root systems.We plant them close to the bank to help hold it together.Studies also show that some plants help remove chemicals from the soil.”
To offer help or To reach Hui o Ko’olaupoko about its Heeia stream restoration work-days, call 381-7202 or visit huihawaii.org.
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