Mortar Board members assist with Mokauea Island Restoration

On November 13, 2010 five Mortar Board members received a crash course in paddling.

Members of the Hui Po’okela Chapter of Mortar Board joined volunteers from the community in a short canoe ride to the Mokauea Island, which is located off the Southern coast of O‘ahu. The Island is home to three families, as well as to Kai Makana (“gift from the sea”), a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education and restoration.

Together with other volunteers, Mortar Board members assisted in uprooting pickleweeds and other nonnative plants. This would allow the re-colonization of native plant species on the Island. Upon the removal of non-native plants, Kai Makana coordinators would reintroduce native plants to promote the abundance of native flora on Mokauea Island. In addition to restoring native plant species, Kai Makana is also working on restoring a large saltwater fishpond on the Island.

By acting to preserve native biodiversity and promoting traditional Native Hawaiian fish harvesting techniques, Kai Makana volunteers and their coordinators hope to inspire other island residents to practice sustainable living and Mālama ‘Āina, to care for the land.

For more information about Mokauea Island and Kai Makana visit http://www.kaimakana.org/. To view photos, please click here.

- Hui Po’okela Chapter