Aloha,
Are you surviving the summer heat, stocking up for potential storms, finding a renewed passion for civic & cultural engagement, or just plain enjoying the outdoors before school starts back up? All of the summer action and variable weather has been keeping our staff on their toes, especially with the introduction of a new member to our team!
After a long search by the HOK Board of Directors, we are pleased to introduce Jeanelle Miller as the new Hui o Ko'olaupoko Executive Director while Kristen assumes the role of Project Manager, over field operations.
Kristen Nalani Kane has served HOK as the Executive Director with a passionate community mindset since 2016. She has been essential in growing and stabilizing our organization from its humble beginnings. She is now taking more time to step back and do what she truly enjoys; getting out in the field with volunteers and community members!
Miller comes to us with a well-rounded background. She has degrees in aquatic and fisheries sciences and natural resource management, as well as a Juris Doctor with certified specialty in Environmental Law from Lewis & Clark Law School. Miller has served on non-profit boards of directors and managed non-profit and for-profit programs across business and conservation fields.
Miller is a proud mother of two. She is often found on the beach, hikes, or fishing with her children on her time off.
We are looking forward to the new opportunities that will arise from this welcome new addition! Please join us in welcoming our new Executive Director.
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A Note From Our New Executive Director
Aloha,
I am very happy to be joining the HOK team! This organization was founded on community values and the team members’ devotion to the community and the
'
ā
ina clearly shows.
As we continue to maintain our existing projects, we are looking forward to new opportunities and relationships across the moku. From ahupua'a big or small, protecting water from mauka to makai takes everyone. Moving forward, HOK will strive to deliver quality projects to improve water quality and share data to show how our actions in the community are impacting one of our most precious resources, water.
As always, feel free to reach out to any or our staff at anytime & I can be reached directly at
info@huihawaii.org
I look forward to serving the Ko'olaupoko communities and meeting you very soon.
Mahalo, Jeanelle Miller
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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 August 10th
& Friday August 23rd
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sign in at 8:45 a.m.
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Join us at our most interesting stormwater management project at Windward Community College. Three rain garden basins were installed in front of Hale 'Imiloa in 2014 to divert excess rain water from the roof of the science building into native planter beds and back into the aquifer rather than it becoming polluted surface water runoff. The native gardens have flourished, and are maintained to this day by HOK and volunteers.
This site is easily accessible and suitable for volunteers of all ages.
Please wear shoes and work clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, bring a reusable water bottle, and sun/rain protection. Gloves, tools and ice water to refill your bottle will be provided.
We hope to see you out!
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Friday, August 16th
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sign in at 8:45 a.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. 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, August 17th
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sign in at 8:45 a.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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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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HOK cherishes all of our volunteers, and this month we wanted to give a special shout out to Lina & Hamza, of Kaneohe. Six year old Hamza is fascinated by the Earth and all of its creatures, while Lina's kuleana to malama 'āina and keiki through her work at windward area schools is a positive influence to the younger generations.
In 2019, over 850 volunteers have already joined us! HOK wants to send a big mahalo to all of the volunteers who have joined us over the years.
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Saturday, August 24th, 2019
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Pūpūkea Paumalū Volunteer Work Day
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Saturday, August 10th, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
KMWP Waihe'e Valley Workday
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The kuahu centered between Mauna a Wakea and Pu'uhonua o Pu'uhuluhulu, taken by HOK staff on July 27, 2019.
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Aloha 'Āina Hope Loa
This past weekend one of our HOK team members had the opportunity and honor of visiting Pu'uhonua o Pu'uhuluhulu to learn from the kia'i and witness the daily protocol.
If you do not have the opportunity to be physically visit the mauna, please consider showing your support to the peaceful protectors through a donation of any kind. Food, airline miles, supplies and dollars will all go to supporting the community of kia'i at Mauna Kea.
https://www.puuhuluhulu.com/donate
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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,
Jeanelle Miller
Executive Director
Kristen Nalani Kane
Project Manager
Safia Lehua Slater
Grants Manager
Jamie Miller
Volunteer Coordinator
Hannah Azouz
KUPU CLDP Americorps Intern
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