Loko Iʻa Community Restoration Day

We’re back at the restoration of a special loko i‘a on Kaua‘i this Sunday! Spots go quick for these so RSVP as soon as possible. The plan for this workday is going to be invasive coastal plant removal  around the fishpond. As a group, we believe we can clear at least one  full side of the 20-acre Nōmilu (Nomilo) loko i‘a (fishpond). Invasive  coastal plant removal around the perimeter of the pond helps so much  with overall water quality and productivity of the surrounding  ecosystems. We're super grateful for and looking forward to having Aaron  Swink from Kauaʻi Division of Aquatic Resources on-site for this  workday to help educate our volunteers on all of the benefits this sort  of restoration work has on our shared natural resources.

Two years ago, the pond was cleared of all of its invasive mangrove  thanks to Uncle Mark Hubbard and his hui. Now, the task has been keeping  up with all of the other new invasive plants that have popped up since  then around the pond, and to work our way around replacing them with  native Hawaiian coastal plants. Mahalo Nui Loa to Hayley Walcher for  being an amazing plant expert resource for the community and helping us  so much with the plant side of everything in this restoration project!

It is such an honor and privilege to be able to work in and around the  incredibly special place that Nōmilu is. We kindly ask all who decide to  RSVP and volunteer for these workdays to show their due respect for it.

The meet up spot will be at Kauaʻi Coffee Visitor Center (grass parking lot) at 8:30am for volunteer  pick up/transfer to the pond, and to finish with the day convoying  everybody back around 1:00-1:30pm. Snacks and refreshments will be  provided to all volunteers throughout the day. After the work is done  for the day, everyone is encouraged to stick around for a pau hana lunch / walaʻau.

We are asking for an RSVP from any interested participants as there  will be a limit of 20 volunteers for the day due to facility and access  logistics. All participants under 18 years old must have an  parent/guardian present. We will send an email and text to those who  RSVP on this form with the plan for meeting location, logistics for  getting down to the pond as a convoy, and a volunteer liability waiver.

DISCLAIMER BEFORE SIGNUP:

The road does require 4x4, but we will have room for around 8-10  participants among the coordinators' vehicles for the day. We are asking  that only one or two other vehicles join the convoy due to limited  parking space at the pond. Although snacks and refreshments will be  provided, there is not running drinking water on site, so we do  recommend bringing plenty of drinking water in reusable containers. We  also recommend wearing clothes you don't mind getting dirty, bringing  waterproof closed toed shoes or tabis, and using plenty of reef-safe  sunscreen before and during the day. We will have gloves and tools  provided. There is one compostable toilet on-site, but if at all  possible, we do recommend taking care of business beforehand. There are  restroom facilities at the meeting spot for the morning.

Mahalo Nui for your interest in volunteering! We look forward to working with you soon!

For any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to email hoomalukekai@gmail.com, or call/text Tim at (808) 495-6836.

For more information on Kauaʻi Sea Farm, please visit www.kauaiseafarm.com.

For more information on Hoʻomalu Ke Kai, please visit www.hoomalukekai.com.

For more information on Kupaʻa Kauaʻi, please visit www.kauaiforward.com.

For more information on the Division of Aquatic Resources, please visit www.dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/education/.

* The form will be available until maximum capacity is reached *

Form Link: https://forms.gle/PNsVUrfc7V4Ahfpd8