Events

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

Remove invasive  non native plants in ponds by Seaside Restaurant and plant native ones.  Restoration of area to encourage habitation of native water fowl.  This is an ongoing project - we're looking for 10 people for Aug. 22 project.  

About ʻĀina Hoʻōla Initiativeʻs Wetland Restoration

Location:  “NA LOKO I'A. Na Loko o Lokoaka. Akahi ame Kionakapahu, e pili ana me ka aina pohopoho mawaena o Honohononui ame na Apana Pa Hale o Paka Lehia, Keaukaha, Hilo Hema, Hawaii” (THE FISH PONDS. The Ponds of Lokoaka. Akahi and Kionakapahu, adjoining the marsh land between Honohononui and Lehia Park Residential Lots, Keaukaha, South Hilo, Hawaii) as discribed in The Poakolu, Okatoba 22, 1941 (Wednesday, October 22, 1941) issue of Ka Hoku o Hawaii, Hawaiian language newspaper in Hilo. It is owned by DLNR and leased by The Seaside Restaurant.  Much of Akahi and Kionakapahuʻs habitat for native waterbirds is overgrown with non-native invasive vegetation mostly with California grass, also know as Para grass.   

When it started:  Efforts to restore habitat started on January 29, 2021.   

What we do:  We remove invasive non-native plants and plant native ones.  Wetlands like Na Loko o Lokoaka will require regular removal of non-native invasive plants to remain suitable habitat. We catch mongooses. Predation by non-native animals is one of the most serious threats to all endemic waterbirds in Hawaiʻi.  

Facts: 

• Hawai‘i Island has few wetlands that support ‘alae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coots), ‘Aimakapā Pond and ‘Ōpae’ula Pond on the Kona Coast, and Waiākea Pond and Lokowaka Pond in Hilo.  ‘Alae keʻokeʻo is an endangered species.
• Only the fishpond on private property at Ha'ena regularly has Ae'o (Hawaiian stilt) on the entire Hilo side of Hawaiʻi Island.  Kumiko and other birders have observed the bird foraging at Lokowaka in 2011, 2012, and 2013.  Aeʻo is an endangered species.

The main purpose of the restoration project is for Aeʻo but it also benefits other bird species such as ʻAlae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot), Koloa Maoli Hybrid (Hawaiian Duck Hybrid), Nēnē, Aukuʻu (Black-crowned night heron), migratory ducks, and shorebirds.  The native plant community include ʻAeʻae and ʻAkaakai.  Removal of non-native invasive plants greatly helps these native plants as well as birds.  This project also benefit the fish as well.  This project also preserves cultural and historical values of the place.  In fact, kuapā (rock wall) reimurged when we remove the overgrowth!  Restoring wetlands is caring for history and culture in Hawaiʻi.

Three months after we started to remove the overgrowth,  Nēnē (Hawaiian goose) started to come to the area.  A year after that a pair of Aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) came to visit.  (Nēnē frequent the area, so two “NENE CROSSING” signs were installed near the project site in January 2022.)    Very little ʻAeʻae that was growing entangled in the invasive plants are growing well where we planted them from cuttings.  They will need ongoing help so do the birds. The task is not easy but  “Aʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia” no task is too big when done together by all.  Please kōkua!

Please join Harvey's Hometown Walk and Talk.

This time learn about a dearly loved waterfront community, Shinmachi. Tragedy hit in 1960 when this business and residential community was swept away by a tsunami. Beyond Harvey's stories of loss, you'll hear about Hilo's resilience.

Here's your Walk and Talk invite for Tuesday, AUGUST 23rd.

We encourage you to sign up for Tuesday, August 23.

We will open registration for Thursday, August 25 if interest is high.

The walk starts at 9:00 am and lasts approximately 90 minutes. There is NO COST, however REGISTRATION is required and limited to 12 Rotarians and guests. 

Mini Mixers are a project of the Membership Committee. Our members are building better friendships and we are meeting friends and prospective members too. Mini Mixer Pickle Ball Basics is proof of that. Rotarians and guests have had three opportunities to learn the game and they keep getting better. 

Mahalo for your high interest and participation.  

Please join Harvey's Hometown Walk and Talk.

We are encouraging registration for TUESDAY, AUGUST 23rd before opening registration for THURSDAY, AUGUST 25th. We hope you can make it on Tuesday.

Please call Gail at 808 430-5898 with any questions.

This time learn about a dearly loved waterfront community, Shinmachi. Tragedy hit in 1060 when this business and residential community was swept away by a tsunami. Beyond Harvey's stories of loss, you'll hear about Hilo's resilience.

The walk starts at 9:00 am and lasts approximately 90 minutes. There is NO COST, however REGISTRATION is required and limited to 8 Rotarians and guests. 

Mini Mixers are a project of the Membership Committee. Our members are building better friendships and we are meeting friends and prospective members too. Mini Mixer Pickle Ball Basics is proof of that. Rotarians and guests have had three opportunities to learn the game and they keep getting better. 

Mahalo for your high interest and participation.  

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

Mental Restorations organizes, promotes, and provides no cost therapeutic activities for Veterans, First Responders, Active Duty and their families who suffer from mental anguish due to PTSD and other related trauma episodes.  

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

April is a founding member of the Eco Rotary Club of Kaka`ako.  Her club has become a model that D5000 uses to develop more cause based clubs.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.