Mālama Hulēʻia Kōkua Day at Alakoko Fishpond on Kauaʻi

Mālama Hulēʻia was joined by over 100 volunteers during this Community Kōkua Day, and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi had a chance to kōkua (help).

Mālama Hulēʻia hosted several events at the Alakoko Fishpond it stewards on Kauaʻi throughout the day. With an estimated 100 volunteers, many hands made for light work at Alakoko Fishpond, June 17.

The space was opened up with an oli (chant) and volunteers had the opportunity to share who they are, where they are from, and who they wanted to bring into the space with them. As each person shared, it reminded participants of the inherent value the community has in the work it does.

After introductions, volunteers were split up into three groups by activity: manaʻo (idea) sharing session, pili grass seed gathering, and pōhaku gathering and sorting.

The day ended with closing remarks from Sara Bowen, Joy Stedman, and Rafael Bergstrom, as well as ʻono loa mea ʻai from Timbers Resort at Hōkūala, Kauaʻi.

Other partners included Waipā, Hawai‘i Land Trust, Kaua’i Community College, Holoholo Charters, Bank of Hawai’i, former County Councilman Mason Chock, and Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Vice Chairman Jan Tenbruggencate.

Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi: Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi is a nonprofit based on Oʻahu with a mission to inspire local communities to care for their coastlines.