Group News: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi
Hawaiʻi Island Group
America in Crisis - Red Hill and the Ryukus, Environmental Consequences of Militarism
Join Global HOPE at UH Hilo on Thursday, May 4 from 6-7:30pm, as they present “America in Crisis - Red Hill and the Ryukus Environmental Consequences of Militarism” featuring Sharde Freitas, Community Organizer, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi and Tatsuki Kohatsu, Doctoral Student, Department of Geography and Environment at UH Mānoa.
Earth Day Clean Up Success
by Diane Ware | Reading time: 0.5 minutes
Photo courtesy of Megan Lamson.
A quick 4/22 Earth Day service cleanup outings report with Hawai’i Wildlife Fund. At the Earth Day service clean up with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund we were able to remove 373 pounds of marine debris, mostly miscellaneous hard plastics (little derelict fishing nets), in 26 bags from along the Kamāʻoa coastline in Kaʻū. We scoured the coast from Kaulana to Papakōlea, and spent time cleaning on the north and south end of Hanalua Bay and also at 3 coves south of Papakōlea, including Give ʻEm Cove (named by local beachcomber artist uncle Don Elwing). Joining us was past Hawaiʻi Island Group board member Nadine Robertson and her son Keoni. It was a pleasure to work together on this project. And it was a beautiful day.
Upcoming Outings
Saturday, May 13
Ke Ala Kahawai Waikaloa Stream Trail (E/F/C) +/- 150’
Kamuela/Waimea, easy 2.5 miles
Join us for an easy walk along Waikaloa Stream starting at Waimea Nature Park (Ulu Laʻau) which we will tour after our walk. The park has native forest cared for by the Outdoor Circle and we will see and identify many native plants like yellow ʻōhiʻa lehua, maʻo hau hele, and loulu. Bring a lunch to eat in the park or go out to lunch afterwards in Kamuela. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and sun protection. Sign up with leaders Diane Ware at 808-967-8642 or assistant leader Keith Neal who lives nearby and volunteers in the park, 808-657-7607.
Sunday June 4th
Kealakomo Coastal National Trails Day Hike (E/C/F)
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, moderate 3.5 miles
This hike will begin at the Puʻu Loa petroglyph parking off Chain of Craters Rd. We will hike a loop starting on the Apua trail, then cross county to the coastline heading to a Hawaiian site with a pocket beach and palm trees. We will return along the ala loa picturesque coast passing some salt pans used by Hawaiians. Please wear boots as we are mostly on lava and bring water snacks and sun protection. Sign up with leader, Diane Ware, at 808-967-8642.
Maui Group
Join us for Sierra Club Outings Leader Training on May 27
Will you be on Maui May 27? Would you like to help get more people out to enjoy and appreciate Maui's unique and beautiful natural and cultural legacy?
Join our free training session to become a hike leader with Sierra Club! We will meet at 9am on Saturday, May 27 to go over how to select, scout, plan, publicize and lead outings in Maui County, with a focus on safety and sharing our love for our natural and cultural environment.
To lead outings with Sierra Club, you must be a member. If you are not already, you can join during the training.
Sign up for the training here: https://wp.me/P3xfuT-Xu
Upcoming Outings
Friday May 5, 2023
Pilale Bay Hike
East Maui, 3 miles
Hike to Pilale Bay down a steep slope to explore Halehaku stream, Halehaku heiau and remains of a Hawaiian settlement. Bring water and snacks. Limit 10. Meet at 8am Haʻikū Community center.
Leader: Miranda Camp mauimiranda@hotmail.com
Sign up
Sunday May 7, 2023
Līpoa Trail (C/E)
South Maui, 3 miles
An easy stroll along Kīhei’s newest trail – around the Maui Research and Technology Park area, now called Līpoa, Maui. The trail crosses former pasture land and runs along the South ridge of the Waipuilani Gulch, then finishes in passing by the Kīhei Charter School and Maui Brewing Company. There are major development plans for this area; this is an opportunity to enjoy the views and consider what type of development may be in the best interest of the community. Almost no shade, so bring sun protection and water. There are a few short steep sections on gravel. Meet across North Holopono Street from the MEDB – goo.gl/maps/y1htCAb2ZkU3Hzqu5.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Sunday May 14, 2023
Waihe‘e Ridge Trail Hike (C/E)
Waihe‘e, 5 milesThis is a moderate to strenuous hike, as it is uphill all the way to the top, a 1600-foot, 2.5-mile elevation gain. This trail can be very slippery if there has been recent rainfall, so a hiking stick is important on this one. There is a beautiful forest, and spectacular ocean and valley views. Meet at 8am at the upper parking lot: turn mauka (inland) at Mendes Ranch (mile marker 6.9 on Kahekili Highway) and drive .9 miles to upper parking lot.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628
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Saturday May 20, 2023
Kuiaha Bay (C/E)
North Shore, 4 miles
Moderate, some uphill. Historically rich, dazzling hidden gem along Haʻikū coastline. Valley has had restoration work to traditional ag by Waikikena Foundation. Limit 18. Meet 8am Haʻikū Community Center.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Saturday May 27, 2023
Hāmākua Mālama Service Outing (C/E/S)
Ha‘ikū (Kaupakulua Ahupuaʻa), 2 miles
Help clear away abandoned rubbish from gulches in Ha‘ikū’s Hāmākua Coastal Preserve and re-plant native species. Tools, snacks, trash bags etc will be provided. Co-sponsored by Mālama Hāmākua
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Sunday May 28, 2023
Makawao Forest Reserve – Kahakapao Loop (E)
Upper Olinda, 7 miles
Moderate hike in big tree forest on undulating trail, estimated time 3-4 hours. Meet in parking lot across from St. Joseph’s Church on Makawao Avenue at 8am. We will caravan to the trailhead. Limit 15.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628
Sign up
Saturday June 3, 2023
King’s Highway (Hoapili Trail) to Kanaio Beach (C/E)
La Perouse, 6 miles
Kings Highway from La Perouse Bay to shady beach south of major lava flow with interesting archeological artifacts. Bring lunch, water, hat, sunscreen and hiking boots. Also bring a bathing suit (water shoes for the rocky entry) if you want to get into the water at Kanaio Beach. Most of the hike is on lava and fully exposed to the sun. Meet at La Perouse parking lot at 8 am.
Leader: Kit Carlan, kit.carlan@gmail.com
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Oʻahu Group
Third Sundays At Wāwāmalu Beach are BOOMING!!
by Reese Liggett, Oʻahu Group Outings Leader | Reading time: 1 minute
Just some of the 37 volunteers. April 16 on a beautiful and productive day!
37 volunteers gave it a healthy shot April 16.
We all know about the off-roader rampage that terrorized the monk seals, other native wildlife and vegetation, hikers, and sunbathers for decades at the city’s Wāwāmalu Beach, a natural section of Sandy Beach Park. Well…thanks to Sierra Club grassroots activism and council member Tommy Waters (district 4, and now council chair) a boulder barrier by the city’s Parks and Recreation went in two years ago. The moral to that activist story is:
Be prepared and know what you want to ask for when a candidate comes to your door during election season. Really, it was/is that simple!
Come on out the third Sunday most months—the next one is June 18—and help us help the natural recovery of the natural features at Wāwāmalu Beach which include: native vegetation and wildlife, dunes, and a white sand beach. There is both light and heavy work led by Oʻahu Group outings leaders Suzan Harada and I. Suzan is a native plant hobbyist volunteering at Bishop Museum, Lyon Arboretum and Gill ‘Ewa Lands. She led an outing to view her 15-feet tall sandalwood tree (ʻiliahi) plantation at Gill ʻEwa Lands in February. And I specialize in removal of the very invasive koa haole stumps using pickaxe and the amazing Pullerbear tree and invasive tree remover (go ahead and Google it 😊).
AGAIN, the next third Sunday conservation service project at Wāwāmalu Beach is June 18 (none in May), 8 to 11:00 AM—real conservation service with great folks in a beautiful, undeveloped and deserving place on Oʻahu’s Kaiwi Coast.
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, May 7, 8am
Mālama Tree Crew: Ala Mahamoe Tree Maintenance
1,000+ trees were planted in this area by volunteers led by Professor Mora, in partnership with The Outdoor Circle, Mālama Learning Center, Ko‘olau Mountain Watershed Partnership, and the Garden Club of Honolulu in 2018. Most of them are still alive but need your help! We will be watering, weeding, and clearing debris from around these recently planted trees. Meet at 8am at the gate between 1800 and 1812 Ala Mahamoe St. Tools and refreshments provided. Bring long pants, long-sleeve shirt, water, hat, sunscreen, gloves. Reservations required at least 1 day prior to makikirandy@yahoo.com.
Saturday, May 13, 9am
Native Plant Restoration and Wildlife Watching Hike with North Shore Community Land Trust
Kalaeokaunaʻoa (Kahuku Point), North Shore
The Sierra Club is meeting up with the North Shore Community Land Trust to mālama this culturally and ecologically significant place on Saturday, May 13th. The Sierra Club Oʻahu Group used a grant from the Monson Fund to purchase native plants from Hui Kū Maoli Ola for use in four restoration projects Pālehua, Mānoa Cliff, Wāwāmalu, and Kahuku Point. We are excited to plant them!
Meet by 9 a.m. on the Kahuku side of the Turtle Bay Resort parking lot, near the Paradise Helicopters helipad. Restoration activities include invasive species removal, native out-planting, and other dune restoration activities for a variety of ages and skill levels. Wildlife includes Laysan albatross and monk seals.
This is an event hosted by the North Shore Community Land Trust. Visit here for more details and to sign waivers. You can also RSVP to Oʻahu Group’s Angela Huntemer via text 808-224-3101.
Sunday, May 28, 8am
Mālama Tree Crew: Ala Mahamoe Tree Maintenance
1,000+ trees were planted in this area by volunteers led by Professor Mora, in partnership with The Outdoor Circle, Mālama Learning Center, Ko‘olau Mountain Watershed Partnership, and the Garden Club of Honolulu in 2018. Most of them are still alive but need your help! We will be watering, weeding, and clearing debris from around these recently planted trees. Meet at 8am at the gate between 1800 and 1812 Ala Mahamoe St. Tools and refreshments provided. Bring long pants, long-sleeve shirt, water, hat, sunscreen, gloves. Reservations required at least 1 day prior to makikirandy@yahoo.com.
Kauaʻi Group
Wailuanuiahoʻāno
by Kip Goodwin, Kauaʻi Group Executive Committee Member | Reading time: 1.5 minutes
The ongoing debate about what to do with the former Coco Palms hotel has recently centered on three small state owned parcels that adjoin the 10-acre privately owned hotel property. The hotel developer wants to be granted one-year revocable permits to control these parcels.
The hotel has been a Hurricane Iniki damaged wreck since 1992, in full view of Kauaʻi's main east side corridor, Kuhio Highway. A succession of ever-changing LLC wannabe developers have owned and then forfeited the property, throughout the process, wooing then jilting the county government. Think Charlie Brown, Lucy, and the football.
The current owner, Utah-based Reef Capital LLC, has announced the imminent demolition and reconstruction of the resort and has hired a Utah-based contractor to manage the work. Their first act has been to clear state lands (crown lands, actually), cutting down 100 coconut trees without the required supervision or permits, mauka of the hotel property. The Board of Natural Resources (BLNR) board member Kaʻiwi Yoon said at the last board meeting that in pre-contact times cutting a food source coconut tree was an act of war. It's one example of the wide gulf of knowledge existing between a Utah developer and Hawaiʻi cultural practitioners. Reef Capital has been cited for this infraction.
It is remarkable that so many historic sites of Wailuanuiahoʻāno still exist: heiau, fishponds, the birthing stones, taro irrigation channels, and the coconut grove. The BLNR's duty is to protect these and environmental resources. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court held in Carmichael v Board of Land and Natural Resources that the authority of the BLNR to issue revocable permits is subject to environmental requirements of the Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act. The Sierra Club Kauaʻi Group believes that the renewal of the revocable permits requires the preparation of an environmental assessment pursuant to the Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act.