Volunteers are the heart and soul of any community. Kauai has plenty, but can always use more. If you want to roll up your sleeves and pitch in, you have opportunities during Kauai Volunteer Week, set for April 23-29. Here’s
Volunteers are the heart and soul of any community. Kauai has plenty, but can always use more. If you want to roll up your sleeves and pitch in, you have opportunities during Kauai Volunteer Week, set for April 23-29.
Here’s an outline of where and when you can make a difference. Please consider coming out and contributing your time and talents. You are needed.
w Kona — Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Polihale State Park — The state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources will be painting the pavilions and picnic tables. Come early or stay late to enjoy the sandy beach and a stunning sunset. Bring clothes you don’t mind getting paint on, sun protection, water and a snack. RSVP or Info: RSVP at malamakauai.org or contact Shalini at 828-0685 ext. 11 or volunteer@malamakauai.org
w Niihau — Monday, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Ke Kula Ni`ihau O Kekaha Public Charter School Garden 8135 Kekaha Rd, Kekaha, HI 96752 -Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha perpetuates and strengthens the Niihau dialect of the Hawaiian language among the children and youth of the Niihau community living on Kauai, as well as meets the special needs of this community by providing an education which results in a positive attitude toward a lifelong search for knowledge, preparing students for success in today’s world of rapid change and technology. Volunteers will be helping to expand the school gardens as a part of their farm-to-school program. Bring closed toe-shoes, reusable water bottle and sunblock/hat. RSVP online at malamakauai.org or contact Dani at 828-0685 ext. 13 or kekula@malamakauai.org
w Napali — Tuesday, 1 to 4 p.m., Kokee State Park. Join Kokee Resource Conservation Program to conserve the native ecosystem along the Pihea trail overlooking Napali coast and Kalalau Valley. We’ll be removing invasive ginger to allow native plants to be reestablished, while taking in gorgeous views. RSVP online at malamakauai.org or contact Shalini at 828-0685 ext. 11 or volunteer@malamakauai.org
w Kona — Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., National Tropical Botanical Garden. NTBG’s south shore botanical and conservation sites of Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden are adjacent gardens tucked into the Lawa’i Valley. Volunteers will be working in McBryde Garden, helping to prepare a site for a major conservation planting of a rare Kauai endemic tree, polyscias bisattenuata. Bring closed-toe shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirt, reusable water bottle, sunblock/hat and lunch. Volunteers must be 14 or older; Anyone under 18 must have a parent present and participating. Contact Jessica at 332-7324 ext. 232 or volunteer@ntbg.org
w Koolau — Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m., Moloaa Beach Cleanup and Net Patrol. Meeting point is by the stream mouth, going into ocean; look for a blue sign on tree that reads Moloaa Beach. Join Surfrider, who celebrated its 10-year anniversary of net patrol in March, for a net patrol and beach cleanup at Moloaa Bay. Volunteers will protect our sea life from entanglement, injury and death from derelict fishing nets and plastics. Surfrider recycles and reuses its derelict nets and hard plastics. Gloves, buckets, bags and other essential beach cleanup items are provided. Bring a reusable water bottle, hat and durable shoes; clothing that can get wet/dirty. No RSVP required, but if you need more info, contact Scott at (816) 781-5883.
w Halelea — Friday, April 28, 2 to 6 p.m., Malama Kauai Community Farm, Kahiliholo Road, Kalihiwai Ridge. Malama Kauai’s 8-acre Community Farm hosts a variety of community-based food and agriculture projects including a 42-plot Community Garden, 2-acre agroforestry project, orchards, youth garden, educational farm plots and more. Volunteers will be working on spring clearing and planting of the youth garden and educational farm plots to prepare the area for their summer youth Ag Internship Program, and share in a potluck barbeque at 5:30 p.m. Bring closed-toe shoes, reusable water bottle, sunblock/hat and a dish for the potluck if you wish. RSVP online at malamakauai.org or contact Shalini at 828-0685 ext. 11 or volunteer@malamakauai.org
w Puna — Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m. to noon. Kawaikini Public Charter School. Volunteers will be helping to expand Kawaikini’s school gardens and build a greenhouse as a part of its farm-to-school program. Bring closed-toe shoes, reusable water bottle and sunblock/hat. RSVP online at malamakauai.org or contact Akasha at (808) 828-0685 ext. 21 or kawaikini@malamakauai.org
w Puna — Saturday, April 29, 2 to 5 p.m., Malama Hule’ia meeting by Kaiola Canoe Club, Niumalu Road, Lihue. Malama Hule‘ia is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving key parts of the Nawiliwili Bay Watershed by eliminating an alien and highly invasive plant species. Volunteers will be removing invasive mangrove and celebrate afterwards with a potluck celebration. Bring closed-toe shoes/water shoes, reusable water bottle and sunblock/hat.
RSVP online at malamakauai.org or contact Shalini at 828-0685 ext. 11 or volunteer@malamakauai.org
