Aloha,
June 21st marked the Summer Solstice, Ke Ala Polohiwa a Kane. Summer has officially arrived! Hopefully, for you and your 'ohana, that means some fun in the sun and plenty of beach time. We always hear warnings about protecting our bodies from sun exposure through the use of UPF clothing, hats, umbrellas, and of course, SPF sunscreen. But have you heard about how you can protect ocean health during your beach outings?
University of Hawai'i led research, supported by the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has shown that oxybenzone is a major cause for coral damage including coral larvae deformity, bleaching, and DNA damage that weakens corals' adaptability to climate change. Unfortunately, oxybenzone has been major ingredient in sunscreens for many years. Although the Hawai'i state legislature voted to ban oxybenzone sunscreens, the ban is not yet in effect meaning that reef safe sunscreens are still on shelves and available for purchase.
Coral bleaching is particularly acute in Hawai'i and increasing at a rate never before noted in recorded history. It is within our grasp to help reduce damage to our corals and save our reefs by switching to oxybenzone free sunscreen today.
A simple web search for "oxybenzone free sunscreens" or "reef safe sunscreens" draws up plenty of options including many non-nano zinc oxide based sunscreens that won't leave you looking like a surfer straight out of the 80's. So next time you are at the store stocking up for summer, be sure to read those ingredient labels, as you would with food items. If you can't find a reef safe alternative, ask a manager to start stocking some options.
You can also check out the
Environmental Working Group
for your sunscreen choice guide, along with many other consumer health and safety guides.
We hope you can find the time to join us at one of our many weekday and weekend events this summer to learn more ways you can help to protect the environment. Check out our
calendar
for weekly volunteer events or send us an
email
.
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Are you building a garden, hale, or fence this summer? Email us to learn how you can put the invasive mangrove trees removed earlier this year to good use.
Please contact nalani@huihawaii.org for more details.
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Upcoming Service Days
Check our
calendar
for additional week-day volunteer opportunities and other community events.
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Saturday, July 13th
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Join us to help maintain the native plants and remove invasive species from within this public garden in urban Kailua. This event is ideal for volunteers of all ages or those with limited time to participate. Volunteers can come & go as their schedule allows. Volunteers are asked to wear shoes and work clothes that they don't mind getting dirty, to bring a water bottle, and sun/rain protection. Gloves, tools and ice water to refill your bottle will be provided.
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Friday, July 19th
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Volunteer to help maintain this project in urban Kailua while learning about native Hawaiian plants and local watershed issues. We will spend some time pruning the existing vegetation and out-planting more plants. This site is easily accessible and suitable for volunteers of elementary school age and older. Please arrive by 9 a.m. and stay as long as you wish. Volunteers are asked to wear shoes and work clothes that they don't mind getting dirty, bring a water bottle, and sun protection. Work gloves, tools, and ice water to refill your bottle will be provided.
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He'eia Estuary Restoration
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Saturday, July 20th
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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He'eia Estuary Restoration
is HOK's largest ecosystem restoration project, aimed at improving water quality and increasing habitat for native species by removing invasive mangrove and replanting native Hawaiian plants along five acres of the He'eia Stream Estuary. Volunteers will be working along the edge of beautiful Kaneohe Bay with views of a traditional Hawaiian fishpond while helping with a variety of tasks from mulching and weeding established planter beds, tromping through the mud to remove invasive mangrove seeds and out-planting native plants.
Please wear clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting very wet & muddy. Rain boots, long sleeve shirts, and long pants are preferred! Bring sun/rain protection and a water bottle. Tools, work gloves, and ice water to refill your bottle will be provided.
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Windward Community College
Rain Garden
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Friday, July 26th
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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HOK’s largest rain garden sits near the science building at Windward Community College. This 3,000 square foot rain garden is designed to capture storm water run-off from over 18,000 square feet of impervious surface from the roof, road and parking lot. The rain garden traps and infiltrates the storm water run-off before it has a chance to carry pollutants into nearby Kea'ahala Stream and Kāne'ohe Bay.
Volunteers will learn about rain garden installation and maintenance, the importance of native plants in watershed restoration, and assist with invasive species removal, native planting and propagation. Please wear close toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting muddy. Don’t forget your water bottle, sun/rain protection. We will provide gloves, tools, and ice water to refill your bottles.
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We need your feedback!
Please take a few minutes to fill out our
volunteer satisfaction survey
. Collecting this information helps HOK to ensure that we provide an enjoyable and educational volunteer experience.
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2019 Hawai`i Conservation Conference
July 9th to 11th, 2019
Hawaiʻi Convention Center
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Wednesday afternoon is free and open to the public!
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Kawainui Levee Cleanup
July 12, 8am-1pm
The DLNR has recently removed over 1 mile of large invasive mangrove trees from the Kawainui Canal. Now we need your help to sustain that effort by removing mangrove seedlings and trash which was exposed after the initial removal.
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HOK's mission is to protect ocean health by restoring the 'āina:
mauka to makai.
Hui o Ko`olaupoko (HOK) is a 501(c)3 non-profit watershed management group established in 2007 to work with communities to improve water quality through ecosystem restoration and storm water management, focusing specifically in the Ko`olaupoko region - from Makapu`u to Kualoa. HOK implements innovative, on-the-ground projects that effectively manage and protect water quality and natural resources in Hawai`i.
We are always grateful to have monetary donations to help us continue our interaction with the community and protect the ocean we all enjoy. Because we are small, you can be assured that your donations are going to our environmental programs and not overhead and administration costs. Your donation is tax deductible and very easy through our secure PayPal. If you'd rather send a check, that can be done via mail at 1051 Keolu Dr. #208 Kailua, Hawaii 96734. Please help us shape a healthier future for Ko'olaupoko.
Sincerely,
Kristen Nalani Kane
Executive Director
Safia Lehua Slater
Grants Manager
Jamie Miller
Volunteer Coordinator
Hannah Azouz M. Sci.
KUPU CLDP Americorps Intern
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