Hoaloha 'Aina (Friends of the Land) /South Maui Volunteers
Making A Difference Through Community Involvement
Volunteer Monday Mornings 7:30-9:30
March 15, 2010 -- This next Monday we will we working at the south end of Kamaole III. We have shearwater birds arriving soon and we would like to prepare the trail and area around their nesting site for their arrival. We will be removing some kiawe bushes and small shoots so be prepared.
Please remember to wear closed shoes! Gloves, tools, and drinking water provided. Join our email list and receive weekly notices of photos from the past week and instructions on where to meet and what we'll be doing next.
Please click on CONTACT button above and use the online contact form!
Volunteers On Vacation
The Pacific Whale Foundation has included Hoaloha 'Aina in their listing of volunteer opportunities for tourists. When the visitor has contributed three hours, PWF offers a free gift, often a T shirt or tote that commemorates their willingness to give up a bit of their vacation to give back to the community. For more information, please click this text box to or visit www.pacificwhale.org and then click on "Volunteering on Vacation"
Recent Photos
Upcoming week
Recent Worday Photos
South Maui Coastal Heritage Corridor Trail
Heritage Trail
The Coastal Heritage Corridor was begun when Helen Felsing of the (KCA) Kihei Community Association Corridor Action Committee arranged for the installation of a series of 13 interpretive signs along the south coast of Maui in the 1980's. The hope for years to come was to join the areas with a trail extending from the boardwalk near the Kealia Pond to Makena.
At a KCA meeting in 2002, two advocates spoke about the Heritage Corridor and the possibility for a trail. Bob and Lis Richardson realized that a portion of that corridor was in an area where they were working already at the west end of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) lands. (KIRC has been a very active and supportive partner in this project). Their small trail effort would come to be recognized as the first completed section and give new hope that the South Maui Heritage Corridor Trail was actually possible.
With the help of many volunteers, groups, and organizations the trail has expanded each year since 2002. Cooperation among government agencies, Parks, and neighbors who own abutting lands make the continuation of the Heritage Corridor Trail possible.
A major partner all along the trail has been the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Maui Office of Economic Development. They have provided funding through grants for various sections and projects along the way. The key to any of this progress is having a funding agent or 501(c)3 agency to handle the administration of the grants and donations. Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. has provided this service and mentorship at every step. However, even with all of the funding in place, and all of the permits signed, we would still be at 'step one' without the volunteers that work every week to help build and maintain these trails.
What a blessing and wonderful omen; the sea has not taken away nor given up any more coral since that fateful winter when the storm uncovered a bounty of dried coral that the Richardson's used to mark the trail that will eventually connect with the entire South Maui Coastal Heritage Corridor Trail.
Dune Restoration
SAND FENCING
Sand Fencing is installed in areas of blow-outs, for path designations, or wherever sand needs to collect. The fencing is usually temporary until native plants can take over and do the same job of trapping the sand and buidling a healthy dune.
From the Kihei Boat Ramp, all the way to north past the Maui Lu, sand fencing has been installed and is protecting and building the vital coastal dune areas.
LITTER
Please click on the PDF button to view slides that show some of the early challenges of the trail development and rubbish situation.
When Hoaloha 'Aina first began, the focus was more on rubbish pick up and trail building. The current trail area has been transformed from what was a 'drive through' dumping ground for construction material, cars and car parts, old furniture, appliances, and rubbish. It was a place of drug dealing and other illicit activities.... a scary place and a huge security problem. In addition, the coral reefs were threatened by the ruts and runoff the trucks and cars created as they raced through the area. Today, a walking trail has taken the place of the car ruts, and it is a safe, clean passage effectively connecting Kihei and Wailea.
My Text
Challenges
PARTNERS: GROUP PARTICIPATION
There have been many groups who have volunteered their time and efforts. To name a few: Community Work Day Program, Rotary Club of Kihei Wailea, Lokelani Middle School, Kihei Charter School, Kihei Youth Center, Fairmont Kea Lani's management team, Pacific Whale Foundation (including their Volunteers on Vacation Program), friends, neighbors, and several of the neighboring condo complexes who have helped with donations from their AOAO...Mahalo to all!
RESPONSE TO EVENTS
Hoaloha 'Aina has been able to help in several instances of natural and man-made events and disasters which have affected the south Maui coastal dunes. Storms have ravaged dunes and beach areas, water leaks have washed out trails, sea birds have been killed by dogs, vandalism has damaged dune areas, and on several occasions there have been huge mounds of dumped rubbish. Hoaloha 'Aina has been able to step in and repair most of the areas with the help of grants from Hawaii Tourism Authority, donations from supporters, and hours of service from a host of wonderful volunteers.
Hawaiian Seabirds-- Wedgetailed Shearwater ('Ua 'u kani)
Seabirds are made for life on the ocean, gliding on the wind with their 38" wingspan, drinking sea water and eating fish and squid. Some birds remain at sea for years at a time, spending most of their time on the wing. Hawaii’s seabirds are scarce around human-inhabited islands because most are ground-nesters and are therefore prey for cats, rats, dogs, mongoose, and people.
The majority of seabirds mate for life and return to the same area each year to raise their young. Males and females of most species look similar. Both share parenting duties. Seabirds have lost most of their nesting grounds in the main islands and were once hunted for their feathers and eggs. Today, all species are protected by federal and state laws.
Nesting “wedgies” are common on main island coasts, offshore islets and in the Northwest Chain. These birds’ mating calls sound like agonized moaning.
Hoaloha 'Aina helps with signage and barriers around nesting sites, educational resentations, and by helping to band adult birds in April and chicks in October.
Concerns: These birds are often hit by cars, or killed by cats and loose dogs. Sea birds are not agile on land and cannot readily fly when threatened by a dog or cat. Though not endangered, the loss of these otherwise gentle, native birds can be minimized by education, signage, and respect from the public to keep dogs on leash, use a humane trap for feral cats, and to not walk where the tunnels are apparent.
Please help 'Grounded Birds'! Hawaiian Petrels, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, and several other seabirds nest on Maui each year from March through November. When the young birds leave the nest burrows they often mistake the lighting of our homes, streets, hotels, playing fields, etc. for the starlight and either hit an object or become exhausted flying in the wrong direction and fall to the ground. If you see a 'grounded' sea bird that is not near a nesting site—retrieve it! They cannot fly from the ground once so grounded. Place it in a box; be careful they may bite! Put the box in a place safe from sun, wind, and dogs or cats. Do NOT give food or water. Do NOT release the bird yourself. Immediately call DLNR (984-8100), the Division of Forestry & Wildlife (873-3983), or the National Park Service (572-4491). From October to December, there are staff to respond daily to such calls. You may also call us at 264-1798.
Please use your cursor over the photos to control panning speed.
Lis & Bob Richardson Kihei, Hawaii, USA 808-264-1798 (Hawaii time)
Tax-Deductible Donations Keep Us Going!
To support South Maui Volunteers with your contribution of time or funds, please contact Bob or Lis Richardson at 808-874-9374.
Tax-deductible donations (check payable to Tri Isle RC&D*) can be sent to:
Tri Isle RC&D
77 Hookele Street, Suite 202
Kahului, HI 96732
Reference 'Hoaloha 'Aina' or 'South Maui Volunteers'
*Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development
Council, Inc is a 501 (c) (3) corporation;
Federal Tax ID #99-0278397.
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2010 List of Donors!
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'Hoaloha Aina-South Maui Heritage Corridor'
