Restoring Waihonu Pond @ Queen Lili'uokalani Park
Caring for Hilo's Coastal Waters

Community Service | Environmental Stewardship

Working together to remove invasive seaweed, restore native marine habitat, and care for one of Hilo's treasured natural and cultural places.

Project at a Glance

What We're Doing: Removing invasive gorilla ogo seaweed (Gracilaria salicornia) from Waihonu Pond to help native limu and aquatic life recover.

Where: Waihonu Pond, Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, 49 Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawaiʻi.

When: Recurring volunteer workdays throughout the year. Check our club calendar for upcoming dates.

Who We Serve: Our island community, native marine life, and future generations who will enjoy and care for this treasured place.

Our Partners: Rotary Club of Hilo, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, Rotary Club of South Hilo, Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens, UH Hilo students, Rotaract and Interact volunteers.

Project Contact: Beckie Marshall, Community Service Co-Chair, Rotary Club of Hilo — 808-747-2933.

How to Help: Volunteers are welcome to assist with seaweed removal, transporting collected material, and supporting activities on land.

About the Project

Protecting a Special Place in Hilo

In the heart of Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens lies Waihonu, a traditional Hawaiian fishpond and an important part of Hilo's natural and cultural landscape.

Over time, an invasive seaweed known as gorilla ogo has spread through the pond, forming dense mats that interfere with the growth of native marine plants and change the habitat for aquatic life.

To help restore the pond's health, East Hawaiʻi Rotary clubs have joined forces with community partners and volunteers to remove the invasive seaweed and create better conditions for native limu and other marine life to thrive.

It's hands-on environmental stewardship — neighbors working together to care for a place we all share.

Why Removing Gorilla Ogo Matters

Gorilla ogo (Gracilaria salicornia) is an invasive seaweed first reported in Hilo Harbor in 1971.

Unlike native limu, gorilla ogo can grow into thick, intertwined mats that cover the pond bottom. These mats can prevent native seaweeds and young corals from attaching and growing, while changing the habitat used by other marine organisms.

Removing these invasive mats helps:

• Create space for native limu to re-establish.
• Improve habitat conditions for marine organisms.
• Reduce the accumulation of invasive seaweed.
• Support ongoing efforts to restore the ecological health of Waihonu Pond.
• Protect a valued natural and cultural resource for our community.

Because the seaweed can return, restoration requires continued attention and cooperation. Each volunteer workday contributes to that ongoing effort.

What Volunteers Do

This is an active, hands-on service project, with opportunities for volunteers both in and out of the water.

In the Pond

Volunteers help remove gorilla ogo from affected areas, gathering the seaweed so it can be transported out of the pond.

On Land

Other volunteers help move collected seaweed using buckets, wheelbarrows, and other equipment to designated collection areas.

Working Together

Rotarians, students, and community volunteers work side by side, sharing the effort while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Liliʻuokalani Gardens.

What to Bring

Depending on your assigned tasks, useful items may include:

• Water shoes or tabis for pond work.
• Closed-toe shoes for work on land.
• Work gloves, sun protection, and rain gear.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Wheelbarrows, pitchforks, or five-gallon buckets, if available.

Volunteers working in the pond should follow the project leaders' safety instructions. Those with open wounds should avoid entering the water.

Check the specific event announcement for meeting times, equipment needs, and additional instructions.

Working Together for Our Island

The Waihonu restoration project reflects the strength of community partnerships.

Members of the Rotary Club of Hilo, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, and Rotary Club of South Hilo work alongside Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens, university students, and youth volunteers.

Together, we bring the people, energy, and resources needed to tackle a challenge that requires sustained effort.

The project is also an opportunity for younger volunteers to experience community service firsthand, build relationships, and develop a deeper appreciation for caring for our island environment.

Who Benefits?

Native Marine Life: Removing invasive seaweed helps create conditions that support native limu and healthier aquatic habitats.

Our Community: Waihonu is an important part of one of Hilo's most beloved public places. Its care benefits residents and visitors alike.

Future Generations: Protecting our natural and cultural resources today helps ensure they remain valued and cared for tomorrow.

Our Volunteers: Working together strengthens friendships, builds community connections, and offers the satisfaction of making a visible difference.

Come Help Care for Waihonu!

You don't have to be a marine scientist or experienced conservation volunteer to make a difference.

Whether you're a Rotarian, student, or community member who wants to lend a hand, there are ways to participate.

Join us for an upcoming workday and experience what Service Above Self looks like when a community comes together to care for its island home.

Project Contact: Beckie Marshall — 808-747-2933

[View Club Calendar]

Rotary Club of Hilo — Community Service: Caring for Our Island, Together.