Kihei volunteer Marie Thomas was awarded second place in the senior division (over 60) for her extensive work on behalf of Hale Kau Kau.

KCA Board member Andrew Beerer received second place in the adult division (26-59) for his work on behalf of the KCA Education and Services Committees, which includes volunteering in the County Parks.

HONOLULU – Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful, state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., presented its Laulima awards for 2009, including three for contributions on Maui.

The Laulima Award recognizes outstanding environmental achievements by individuals, businesses and government representatives who are named by the mayors of each county.Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares presented these awards:

Community – Bob and Lis Richardson. Since moving to Maui in 2001, they have been active in a variety of cleanup efforts in South Maui starting with the Kihei boat ramp and Kamaole Beach Park III. Since then, they joined the efforts of Community Work Day, the county Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments, and other organizations. Recently, they became involved with Volunteers on Vacation,a program funded by the county Office of Economic Development and the Hawai’i Tourism Authority.

Business – Brian Yoshikawa of Maui Sporting Goods. For the last 13 years, he has hosted a Father’s Day tournament that encourages youths to enjoy the sport of spearfishing in a responsible way that respects resource laws and safety rules.He was a key participant in the county’s International Year of the Reef celebration and, partnering with the Mayor’s Office, created a spearfishing tournament called The Roi Roundup, an attempt to control the invasive roi, taape and toau fish.

Government – Jordan Jokiel, coordinator of the East Maui Watershed Partnership. Established in 1991, it is the first such endeavor formed to pool the knowledge, expertise and resources of East Maui’s largest landowners, government agencies and ranches to protect the watershed. Jokiel and his crew of volunteers combat invasive species, install protective fencing to protect sensitive areas and monitor the health of the watershed.He also works to communicate the importance of a healthy watershed to the public.

The awards were presented Aug. 24 during the annual meeting of Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful at the State Capitol in Honolulu.

The ceremony honored the memory of Katy Kok, founder and executive director of Nani ‘O Wai’anae, who died in August 2008 at age 60. Her Oahu group was the first certified Keep America Beautiful affiliate in Hawaii.

During the meeting, three new affiliates were certified: Keep Kalaupapa Settlement Beautiful, Keep Kauai Beautiful and Keep Honolulu Beautiful. They joined Keep Hawaii Beautiful (Big Island), Nani ‘O Wai’anae and Community Work Day (Maui County).

The planting of native vegetation on the sand dune restoration North of Maui Lu has been postponed to a yet to be determined future date. Stay tuned for more info.

• On Saturday, July 18th Community Work Day Program will be having another
  clean-up event called Litter Bugs Me. This events focus is our highways
  and major roadways. We could really use volunteer help along Piilani
  Hwy. We’ve divided Piilani in sections, so if you are interested,
  please call Dana Lynn Smith, 877-2524 for details.
  The KCA works in conjunction with Community Work Day Program at various locations in South Maui. Look for more info on community clean up sites on Sept. 19th, Oct. 17th and Nov. 21st.
• Every Monday workday with Hoaloha ‘Aina or South Maui Volunteers. Volunteers work from 7:30- 9:30 at either the Kihei Boat Ramp or one of the Kamaole Beach Parks on a variety of restoration and native planting projects. Contact Bob or Lis Richardson at lisbob@hawaii.rr.com.
• Help restore a historic Hawaiian Fishpond. At Ko’ie’ie fishpond in North Kihei, located next to Kalepolepo Park near intersection of South Kihei Rd and Kaonoulu. Volunteers are needed on the second and fourth Saturday of every month, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. For additional info, contact Hoylynn Pamamn at (808) 359-1172 or www.mauifishpond.com
• Support the KCA and the Maui Food Bank. Attend a KCA community meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of every month and bring a donation for the Maui Food Bank.
• If your group, school, or organization would like to participate in dune restoration projects in South Maui please contact the KCA for dates and times.
• The KCA works periodically on clean-up efforts at the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and Sugar Beach area. Watch for times on the KCA website.
• If you would like to volunteer with the Parks Dept in South Maui please contact the South District Support Services at 879-4364.

On May 15th, Lis and Bob Richardson representing the KCA, worked with members of the Maui Canoe Club at the beach just north of the Whale Sanctuary on a dune fencing project. After obtaining State and County approval and meeting with the coastal geologist and Parks Dept Supervisor the work was authorized. The Maui Canoe Club offered to help with the install and the KCA donated the expertise supplies and equipment.

The project went well and was completed on Wednesday May 20.
Big mahalo to the Maui Canoe Club for their effort and willingness to give back to their community.

If your group, school, or canoe club would also like to share in these great volunteer opportunities please contact the KCA for further information, please email: kca@gokihei.org or phone: (808) 879-5390.

Please view the sand dune restoration story at the 10:00 minute mark on this Maui TV News video:http://www.mauitvnews.com/Show/MauiTVNews5-21-09.htm

For all that might be available – Community Work Day Program has scheduled a workday this Saturday, April 25, for Kihei. Please meet at the parking lot of St. Theresa’s Church at 9:00 am and work until about 11:00 am. Please join us if you can. For additional information please contact Dana at Community Work Day at (808) 877-2524.

Kihei Fishpond Restoration

Second and fourth Saturday of every month, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.
For additional info, contact Hoylynn Pamamn at (808) 359-1172 or http://www.mauifishpond.com