(Scroll down for more fun volunteer projects)
ALTERNATE MAY HIKE:
May 16, Kipuka Akihi
Hello, this is Ranger John, I guided your stewardship hike in Kahuku in April. Thanks for participating in the hike, it was a perfect day out there. I hope this email reaches you and all is well. I've checked with my supervisor, and there's no hang-up for bringing folks from your Kona Hiking Club on the next tour of Kipuka Akihi, as the tour is first-come/first-serve and your club is not a commercial entity. So, the next tour will be May 16, same time (10am-3pm), I will be guiding this hike again so consider this your personal invitation. There are currently 12 open spots on the sign-up list. Call Elizabeth Bell at (808)985-6166 to sign up.
Interested hikers please call Elizabeth and say you are with The Kona Hiking Club. No Kona Hiking Club leader will be at this hike. This is a very special hike that you won't want to miss. I would love to have feedback from anyone attending this.
For more info call Kathleen at 557-9246.
NEW: Come Join Us at Mauna Kea outplanting at Pu`u Mali
Interested Kona Hiking Club participants please call Kathleen at 557-9246.
Due to the remoteness of the site, we (Mauna Kea Forest Restoration) typically do overnight/multi-day trips to out-plant seedlings. Puu Mali is a 2.5 hour drive from Hilo which is where we are based. From Waimea, it is a 50 minute drive 17 miles up Mana Road from Waimea just to get to the entrance of Puu Mali. That being the case, we could make a day trip work depending on the the number of people that were able to volunteer. Puu Mali is a very special area and has so much potential. I'm excited to get as many people up there as we can manage. Let me know what fits best into your clubs' schedule and we'll do our best to make it happen. I look forward to talking with you sometime soon too.
We've (Mauna Kea Forest Restoration) planted ~ 6,000 aalii, mamane, and koa seedlings over 20 acres since February but we've got lots more to go so your interest in planting with us is greatly appreciated. The entrance to Puu Mali is a 17 mile, 50 minute drive up Mana Road from Waimea. A 4wd vehicle is necessary to make it up the three mile 2-track road from Mana Road to camp (6,700' elevation).
> > We are looking for volunteers during the weeks of:
> > April 6 (Tues.) - April 9th (Fri.)
> > April 13th (Tues.) - April 16th (Fri)
> > If these dates do not fit your groups schedule, let us know and we will try to accommodate times that will.
> > The Camp: There is a 16' x 20' cabin with a propane stove/oven, cookware, dishes and utensils, water catchment, hot water heater and shower, and a small propane refrigerator. This cabin is where we congregate to cook, eat, talk, and stay out of the weather. Fourteen A-frame sleeping structures are also available for sleeping in. Three composting toilets are present. About 12 volunteers would be the maximum number we can comfortably facilitate based the size of our main cabin and number of A-frames.
> > Below is additional information to help volunteers for their stay at Puu Mali. Also, attached are three forms that all volunteers need to read and sign prior to arriving at Puu Mali - (1) MKFR Volunteer Position, (2) PCSU 1-Time Volunteer Form, (3) PCSU Volunteer Waiver. The attached Volunteer Position Description gives you a description of what we provide and what they need to provide.
> > Additional things to be prepared for are:
> > 1) All volunteers MUST have hiking boots that come above the ankle. The terrain at the site is rocky and rugged, so good ankle support is essential.
> >
> > 2) Does anyone in your group have medical conditions that we should be aware of? Examples are allergies, asthma, diabetes, using blood thinners, etc.
> > 3) Bring a warm sleeping bag, hat, gloves, rain jacket, rain pants, and a head lamp. Last week the night time temperature was below freezing and some of the days have been misty/drizzling rain with temperatures never rising about the mid-50's. Also, it's pretty dark up there at night so a headlamp is also essential.
> > 4) Our water source is from a catchment system and it rains up there infrequently. Showers are available but hopefully everyone can go a night without showering so that we have that much more water available for the seedlings.
> > 5) Toilets...We have 2 composting toilets. I'll describe this to you because some people are surprised when then learn how these toilets work, their limitations, and the maintenance necessary. They can handle #2 but not #1.
> Rob Stephens
> Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Coordinator
> 19 East Kawili St.
> Hilo, HI 96720
> 808-933-2756
NEW: Come Join Us at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery
_________________________________________________________
May 2006 Photo
The Event: A "Mega Planting - Mega Lunch Event" is planned for Arbor Day at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Nov. 7, 2009. With 500 trees available, this will be the largest tree-planting ever scheduled for the Cemetery, and the West Hawaii Cemetery Veterans' Assn. is inviting anyone ready and willing to put in a few hours work to come and do so and afterwards enjoy a superb lunch provided by the Four Seasons Resort. Planting will begin at 9 am with lunch being served at 11 am. Participants should come prepared with hats, gloves, sturdy shoes, water, and sun protection. Although some tools will be provided, participants should bring their own if possible.
Their Website is http://www.arlingtonofthepacific.org/
and it gives a lot more info about what is being done there and has a number of pictures from past projects showing the progress. When it first was started it was a raw lava field, pretty depressing. This group has really done a lot for their cause.
For details and schedule, contact Richard Stevens, 323-3860
Ka'u Shoreline Cleanup
_____________________________________________________________
 Volunteers come together to collect and remove heaps of marine debris littering the Ka Lae - Wai'ohinu coastline in the Ka'u District. This area has one of the highest marine debris accumulation rates in the main Hawaiian Islands. If left along the beaches, this debris can refloat and entangle marine life; instead, nets collected in this effort are shipped to Honolulu for conversion to electrical power.
The non-profit Hawai'i Wildlife Fund (www.wildhawaii.org) coordinates these events, which are held every other month. Please come help us malama 'aina. For more information about upcoming beach cleanups and how you can help, please contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629, or . Mahalo nui!
The Nature Conservancy's Kona Hema Preserve
_________________________________________________________
 Volunteer work days are held at The Nature Conservancy's 8,000-acre Kona Hema Preserve every second Saturday of the month (occasionally alternating with the Ka'u Preserve). Activities include tree planting, weed surveys and trail work. Our goal is to protect the koa forest and restore native biodiversity to areas impacted by historic logging and grazing. Please contact Dore Centeio for more information: 443-5403 or
The Nature Conservancy also has programs to help Hawai’i communities understand and monitor marine resources. Volunteers are needed to participate in fish surveys and human use studies – often in areas just offshore from the Ala Kahakai trail, such as Puako. Please contact Chad Wiggins at 756-2080 to find out more.
Kaulana Manu ("safe haven for birds")
_________________________________________________________
 Kaulana Manu is a beautiful pocket of pristine ancient forest hidden amongst the massive a’a flows of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Containing some of Hawai’i’s most rare and spectacular native plants and animals, it is an ideal spot for the educational trail being built by DLNR’s Na Ala Hele Trails & Access Systems.
Volunteers are needed to assist with trail work, removal of invasive plants, and bird observation. Work days are scheduled several times weekly, with lunch, gloves, and safety gear provided. For schedule and additional information, please contact Virginia Aragon, Na Ala Hele Trails & Access Systems, 808-933-3440 or email
Come Join Us at Pu’u Wa’awa’a Ahupua’a | 
