 Cpl. Terance Lockwood, a heavy equipment operator with Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment trims the taller brush with shears in the high knee position April 25, 2015 at Kailua Beach Park. Lockwood was one of 28 Marines who volunteered to help clean the beach and shoreline. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Khalil Ross) CAC assists in Kailua Beach clean up
Story by Cpl Khalil Ross KAILUA, Hawaii — During an Earth Day cleaning project, Hui o Koolaupoko, and 28 Marines from Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, went to clean the environment at Kailua Beach Park, April 25, 2015. Marie Sode, a volunteer of Hui o Koolaupoko for two years, said they were working in concert with a larger environmental cleanup organization, Sustainable Coastlines. Sode said the Marines and civilians who were picking up trash were reusing orange bags and feed bags to reduce the waste of materials. The volunteers would empty the bags and head back out. “The project was to pick up trash, trim (wild limbs and branches) and replant local (flora in the community),” Sode said. “The plants hold the soil together and prevent runoff into the waterways.” 1st Lt. Ken Pierson, platoon commander of CAC, said he had heard about the volunteer event and shared the opportunity with his Marines. The Marines and civilians were picking up various cigarette butts, plastic wrappers and other miscellaneous trash that accumulates. Marines are typically at a duty station for three years and some never even leave the installation to explore the community, Pierson said. “I think it’s important for Marines to embrace the community whenever (they) can,” he said. “There is no better way to embrace the community than to literally come out and clean it up.” Sode said she has been living in Kailua since 1975 and has seen a lot of interactions between the locals and military interactions the last few decades. “There has been a line between the two for many years,” she said. “The military (personnel) have been completely sustainable on their bases and that has caused some problems. Now that the military is getting out and interacting with the community, there is a huge improvement (in relations).” Pierson said there are many different organizations to help the environment. Any service member can join up. “(The Marine Corps) really promotes people coming out and helping with the community,” Sode said. “There are all sorts of organizations that anyone can join on the weekends. We have children come out with their parents to show them how to pull weeds or we have intermediate and high school students help out.” Pierson said it’s important to show surrounding communities that military personnel are residents too and they want to do anything they can to help the community. “Every Marine should take an opportunity to (help out) at least once,” he said. “(Come out) and really see the people they live with.”
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Hui o Ko'olaupoko (HOK) and project partner Kama 'āina Kids are proud to announce a new estuary restoration project aimed at improving water quality and increasing habitat for native aquatic animal species by removing invasive plants and replanting native Hawaiian species along a portion of the He'eia Stream estuary.
We would like to invite you to attend a blessing for the project site on Tuesday March 31, 2015 at 3:30pm. The blessing will take place at He'eia State Park. Guests may park in the public parking area and proceed to the coastline on the southern side of the park via the asphalt path near the park's main entrance gate. After the blessing, attendees may join HOK staff for a short tour of the project area. The more adventurous attendees should wear attire appropriate to wade through water and mud. Read more about this project here and please feel free to contact HOK with any questions. |
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Our MissionThe mission of Hui o Ko`olaupoko is to protect ocean health by restoring the `aina: mauka to makai. This is done in partnership with stakeholders including interested citizens, non-governmental organizations, government, educational institutions and businesses while using and focusing on sound ecological principles, community input, and cultural heritage. Categories
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335 Hahani St. #1892
Kailua, HI 96734 Protecting ocean health by restoring the 'āina: mauka to makai
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Last Updated: July 8, 2024. |