GIVING BACK

Title: Ka Honua Momona

Words :: Kirsten Whatley

Pull quote:  “You’ll work side by side with some very passionate and knowledgeable stewards of Hawai‘i’s environment.”

In Hawai‘i, there are volunteer opportunities on every major island, each organization focused on preserving its particular patch of the ‘aina (land), ocean, or wildlife. Some projects take you to the beach, where you watch over sea turtle nests and educate others about how to protect these endangered creatures; or you might find yourself diving among Hawai‘i’s reefs, recording fish populations or damage to the ocean’s coral. There are projects concerned mainly with replacing invasive trees and shrubs with Hawai‘i’s native plants, to bring back essential wildlife habitats, and others focused on nursery propagation, providing young keiki plants for forest restoration efforts.

Ka Honua Momona on Moloka‘i is all about fishponds. East of Kaunakakai, dedicated volunteers can be found rebuilding the ponds’ rock walls and clearing out invasive plants and fish to return this resource to its healthy origins, ensuring a sustainable future. The group also hosts workshops at the ponds that integrate culture and nature, and teaches of their interdependence. And it shows local youth groups how to steward this ancient resource in our modern age.

You don’t need to be skilled to join worthy volunteer efforts like these—just show up. You’ll work side by side with some very passionate and knowledgeable stewards of Hawai‘i’s environment. By the end of the day, you’ll feel like part of the ‘ohana, or family.

To find more than sixty volunteer projects in Hawai‘i, check out a new online resource: www.preservehawaii.org. And visit often—for frequent updates from the field, and to inspire others by sharing your own volunteer stories. We’d love to hear from you.

Give-Back Location: Ali‘i and Kaloko‘eli Fishponds (Moloka‘i)

The tiny island of Moloka‘i harbors more ancient coastal loko i‘a (fishponds) than anywhere in Hawai‘i. But the forces of nature and years of neglect have turned many into ruins, reducing once intricately laid rock walls to rubble.

In 2004, a group of Moloka‘i residents formed Ka Honua Momona to address this troubling reality. They recognized that the many types of interrelated loko i‘a were an ingenious way to sustainably manage an islands’ natural resources. Impressive feats of aquatic engineering, these fishponds worked with the landscape and gravity to transport water mauka to makai (from the mountains to the sea), while providing fish for all to eat. Ka Honua Momona still believes in this kind of sustainability.

Led by kupuna lawai‘a (elder fisherman) Mervin Dudoit, the group manages two fishponds just east of Kaunakakai—Kaloko‘eli Fishpond and Ali‘i Fishpond. Uncle Mervin says he’s out there most mornings if a willing volunteer wants to come lend a hand. Children are invited too. "Kids playing in the pond move the silt around," he points out. "That’s good!"

Every third Saturday morning, they also host Community Day at the ponds, working with volunteers to remove invasive mangroves, rebuild rock walls, and restore the ponds to a viable aquacultural resource. At the end of the workday, they often net the nonnative fish that have found their way into the ponds, and cook up a fresh fish feast—a tasty way to reinforce the idea that nature nourishes those who care for it.

Visit www.kahonuamomona.org for more information.

Adapted from Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawai‘i’s Environment (Island Heritage, 2008). Courtesy of Island Heritage. www.preservehawaii.org