Author: Malama Huleia

Kauai High School student Isabella Parsons won first place at the Kauai
regional Science and Engineering Fair for her project “Investigating the Effects of the Removal of Red Mangrove Trees on the Ecosystem of Kauai” She worked on this project at Alakoko fishpond with the support of Malama Huleia staff Paleke Flores and Sara Bowen, and the scientific mentoring of Dr. Carl Berg, Malama Huleia BOD.

Her own water quality sampling was done at three sites in Alakoko fishpond and one at Puali wetland over a two month period, which coincided with the beginning of mangrove removal from around the edges of Alakoko. She compared her data with the monthly water quality data Malama Huleia has collected for the past 20 months. She then correlated it with Malama Huleia’s data on acres of mangrove removed during her sampling period.

As first place winner in the Senior Division, Isabella will go on to the State fair on Oahu and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona this spring. In addition to winning top Senior Division project, Isabella also won in Plant Sciences, Senior Division, and awards from Surfrider Foundation, NTGB and NOAA.

According to Dr. Carl Berg, Isabella collected lots of data, did lots of analysis and lots of parsing to get to her general conclusions. He will continue to work with Isabella to try to improve her conclusions for the state-wide competition and the fair in Phoenix.

Photos by Bryce Johnson 

These aerial photos show the recent progress made in clearing red mangrove from around the Alakoko Fishpond.

Text and photos by Malia Chun

For the next 5 months, ʻōpio from the moku of Puna will be taking part in a once a month, residential program where they will be engaged in Hawaiian cultural enrichment and STEAM hands-on, educational activities. Some of these activities include; learning the historical and archaeological significance of Alakoko, Hūleʻia and surrounding ahupuaʻa, water quality testing, mapping the geography and topography of Alakoko, learning fishpond dynamics and maintenance, mālama ʻāina: eradicating invasive and planting natives and learning about the importance maintaining a healthy and productive mauka to makai aquifer. If you have a teenager that is interested in registering for this amazing learning opportunity, contact NPN at 808-245-8287.

Pictures from the first Kupulau Camp, Jan 19-20:

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Our machine crew, led by Bryan Vallet, is doing quick work in taking down the mangrove around Alakoko Fishpond. Today the excavator operated by Georges Parks broke through to the pond. This is a milestone accomplishment.

Other members of our machine crew are Skylar Smith, Brock Struthers, Howard Fox, and Chuck Hayes.

Meanwhile, the Menehune are nearing the first break in the wall of the fishpond, where there is also a break in the mangrove. They expect to reach the water there in one or two more workdays.

We have a community work day this Saturday, January 26, 2019. Come and help us clear the invasive red mangrove from the historical Alakoko Fishpond. Come prepared for sun and mud, and lots of aloha.

On January 15, 2019, the Malama Huleia Board of Directors was joined by Ruby Papp and Chris Kauwe. These new Directors replaced Pepe Trask and Steve Yee, two founding members of the organization when it was part of the Kaiola Canoe Club. Congratulations to the new Directors Ruby and Chrys, and Mahalo to outgoing Pepe and Steve.

In the January Board of Directors meeting the following officers were also reelected:

• Mason Chock, President
• Lee Evslin, Vice President
• Luke Evslin, Treasurer
• Sabra Kauka, Secretary

Serious progress is being made at Alakoko. The mangrove removal continues on two fronts.

A volunteer group of workers (Menehune) is manually cutting away the mangrove from the archaeologically sensitive area along the fishpond wall. By diligently working every Tuesday and Thursday mornings, they have covered approximately 20,000 square feet and are rapidly approaching the first break in the wall.

The second effort, which involves the use of heavy equipment, began with preparatory improvements to the entry road to Alakoko and the clearing of a staging area to be used for stock piling logs and chipping the mangrove. This effort has now progressed to clearing a path around the backside of the fishpond.

After years of planning, permitting and securing funding we are excited about the progress being made at Alakoko. In September we had an ahu ceremony to set our intentions and path forward. We are now moving ahead with the mangrove removal project at Alakoko, which will be a big step forward in clearing the invasive species from the Huleia watershed.

In October we had a ground breaking community workday and celebration.

Since then we have cut nearly 17,000 square feet of mangrove.

Today (December 19, 2018), we have mechanized help to clear the stockpile area where the cut mangrove will be piled. Once that stockpile area is filled the Kauai Green Energy Company will haul it and turn it into renewable energy.

We are happy to be moving forward and are grateful for the community support in the work we are doing. We have set the community workdays for the 4th Saturday’s of each month in 2019. Watch for details on how to sign up to participate in the New Year.

Happy holidays and best wishes for the New Year ahead!