Week #4- Kualoa Ranch

This week, TEAM D had the pleasure of working with Makana, Kawena, John, Susan, and Murphy at the beautiful Kualoa Ranch.

Tuesday 7/5-

The team worked to removed the Honohono grass from the lo’i. After lunch, we worked a little further down the mountain where we removed all but native species along the hillside. This was done as a part our week’s plan to do native out-planting. We removed the honohono grass because the grass invades the lo’i and represses growth and reproduction of the kalo. The mission of the Kualoa Ranch educational program is to restore the ‘aina, or the land. Ideally, we would like to return the lo’i and the land back to what it looked like when the ancient Hawaiians roamed the valley. The honohono grass however, is detrimental to the growth of kalo and the restoration of the land. Following lunch we cleared the hillside of weeds, and other invasive species like the Clidemia as a part of our plan to do native out-planting. As we talked to Makana, she explained to us that volunteers before us have done the same thing; removed weeds. So why were we there weeding the same exact area...? Because, no one bothered to prevent the weeds from coming back. This is why we are going to do native out-planting. If we weed, and then plant native plants in their place, this will encourage the perpetuation of native plants on our ‘aina, and discourage the invasion and growth of weeds and invasive species.

Wednesday 7/6-

The team weeded around the native species that were planted in the enclosure. I worked around a keiki koa tree. We then lined rocks along the border of weeded area and put mulch in the enclosed area. After we finished that, we then weeded the mountain side and planted native species, like the Hawaiian hibiscus along the mountain. As a team, we weeded around about 20 different native species in the enclosed area. This was done to create a larger more spacious area for the native species to root its roots, and not be choked out by invasive species. We then lined rocks around the border and put mulch in the enclosure to discourage weeds from growing near the native species. The mulch also helps the soil and ground retain water, better than the soil by itself. In general, we were just trying to create a better living habitat/environment for the native species. We then did something similar along the mountain side. We cleared the area of weeds so that we could create a better living space for the native species that we planted. The area had to be clear of weeds, and the ground soft enough so that we could dig a hole in the ground for the plant to be planted. The planting of native species, is part of the larger vocation to restore the ‘aina to it’s original state. We want to promote the growth and planting of native Hawaiian species.

Thursday 7/7-

As a part of the restoration project, the team planted native species where we had weeded on Tuesday. Following lunch, we cleared the stream, and got it to not only flow, but flow in a desirable direction or area. We planted native species in the area we had weeded two days ago primarily to help keep weeds out of the area. Otherwise, weeding the area would be pointless. Why weed the area if the weeds are just going to come back? Planting the native species should encourage native plant growth and discourage the growth of weeds and other invasive species. Following lunch, we cleared the stream to get the water flowing into water sparse areas. For instance, once we cleared one area of a stream it began the flow into a lo’i that was water scarce. Increasing the flow of water may also better water quality by decreasing turbidity. The cleared stream will encourage the flow of the water, and therefore the growth of native species along the streamline. Hopefully it will promote an adequate habitat for fish to swim and live in the stream

Friday 7/8-

We used the nets and bamboo to remove the gorilla ogo (Gracilaria salicornia), and other algae in the Moli’i Fishpond. We then left the gorilla ogo on the dock to dry, and to be composted in the near future. We were then treated to a beautiful day at Secret Island, where the team got to kayak, paddleboard, swim, and just relax in some hammocks. What a great way to end the week!

TEAM D truly appreciates not only the hospitality by the team at Kualoa but their generosity and willingness to share their mana'o of the 'aina and Hawaiian culture.

Again, mahalo to Makana, Kawena, John, Susan, and Murphy!

Kiana (: