Week 2

Ok i hope I'm doing this correctly but imma do it anyway :)

So this past week at peacock flats was really fun and i learned a lot. we did do a lot of work but we exceeded the expectations that were set for us. our team also worked hard through the intense sun and the cold bitter rain. our team works really well together and we "git'er done". i think that we have one of the best and most hard working team in HYCC. we are a little slow at the start but once we're warmed up and we start working, we really get into it and get the work done really fast. but when its time to kick back and have fun we do that right too. our "jam shesh" was really fun and i really enjoyed that. we also got to relax and enjoy the view at many times. the best views were at mount ka‘ala on Wednesday. all day the clouds were covering the mountain top which kept the area cool but blocked the view. but this was wehen we were working. then we went to eat lunch and right when most of us were finished eating, there was a blue patch in the sky. when we went out to the look out point you could see all of the NW side of O‘ahu and most of the north shore. that was one of my favorite moments of the whole week.

-Noah/Ikaika (idc which name u guys use lol)

Camp Pauhole Kanack Attack!

Alrighty guys, I'm finally on the blogging board!

Wow, can you believe that we survived a whole week of extensive, strenuous, toil?!
From setting up a camp sight and tents, to cutting down evil invasive species and Javelin throwing trees off the Makua Rim :D We truely did git'er done!

For all of us in Oahu Team D, we're truly fortunate to have such a wonderful, patient and knowledgeable staff at Peacock Flats to take care of us and guide us to help preserve and malama the land.

For those of you who don't know where we got to be, or haven't gotten the opportunity, we did go up to Mount Ka'ala-Highest Peak on Oahu baby! What a blessing lemme tell you. A great big Mahalo to Kupu for this unreal experience. I mean, have you guys ever been on the set of Jurassic Park? Neither have I, but this was 50 bagillion times more awesome, I'm so sure of it. We surfed the newly installed boardwalk we worked on (my first time holding a drill and drive, and I break the drill-bit...twice. Sorry, Merigold, you da bes!), and through the bog we had an awesome view. Have you ever been able to be at two places at once? Look at one side, it's Wainae Range, then look to the other, it's Ko'olau Range! Beast!

But down worry, Miss Intense Hiker, Mandy Hardman, worked us real good up in Makua Rim! I believe I can speak on behalf of my team when I say, we're all hurting: arms, shoulders, neck, knees, thighs, calves, muscles and bones anywhere. If not all these parts, at least one of 'um, even our hands cramped form hand-sawing guava hours on end! Yes, everybody, Strawberry-guava is bad for the natives (try think about that when you eat your PB and J sandwich, or slurp up a Srawberry Guava Hawaiian Sun ;]P) But non the less, Ohana D exceeded Mandy's expectations with the amount we cut down and it made me so proud. No fuss too, yah Chase? Ha-ha.

Camping and open-mic bond time was great guys. Pretty mean meals too, so I'm ready for one Kanack Attack now...

Again, much mahalos and aloha to Camp Pauhole Staff in the upper Mokule'ia region:
Chris Miller (without you we coulda had cold meals, the bes' stove outdoors!)
Mandy Hardman (miss marathon hiker, your an idol)
Merigold Toll (for your patience with meon drills and expertise on the boardwalk)
and I think Tyler (pig trap installer, hope we caught some.)
Kupu, my bomb-diggity leaders and of course my Ohana D!

Love, Robynne G. (igarot ;P) Team D

REDNECK ROLLERCOASTER!

So, the past week was pretty fun. i got to experience alot of things that alot of people wouldnt experince in their life time, and i am very thankful to be in HYCC and to have a wonderful team. One of my most favorite memories was going up to mt. Kaala, working on the board walks in the bog. Up there is so amazing, and it feels like i am in a whole new world. just the feeling of being on the highest mountains on oahu is breath taking. They work that we did was pretty nutz, from trail maintance, building pig traps, building boardwalks to cutting down strawberry guava trees. I want to thank my team for all the hard work and effort. Camping at peacock flats was fun too, it was a good time to bond with my team. also i want to thank my team leaders, and MAHALO's for eveything.

SHOOTS!!!
-Pono

No Trouble, No fuss

The past couple of days have been such great days! From laughs, rain, hiking, to mud and jamming music. It all came together, giving us the chance to camp up at Peacock Flats and to even go all the way to Mt. Ka'ala. Which by far was the best place we got to work at yet. (Even it being the first site we worked at) I never knew about that many native plants before, none the less knowing the names for them all. It was such a wonderful experience to be all the way in Pahole and up on Kaala, getting to see the views. Beside the just, getting the chance to take care of the native things up there. Such as, taking the the loads and loads of strawberry guava. Which I honestly can say, I didnt know it was an actually fruit. How silly of me right? Well, also strengthening the boardwalk in the bog to a strike on me. Only because it was so beautiful, felt like I was walking in a giant's garden fixing its path way so he can create new life and beauty. Im not too sure if that made sense, but in my head it did. So , I just loved the entire experience this week. Everything! The time we spent together with our team and site managers, and not to forget the beauty of our lovely island Oahu. There just wasn't enough time to sit back relax and take in what we were doing for our island or that we were in such pretty places in such little time. Though we made do, with our walk through the entire bog, or walks back down the trail at pahole. Or it might even be the times we were at work but stared out into the distance. I especially loved when we got to the end of the bog, and could see down towards the westside of Oahu. As I told my team member Shyla, that we were so so lucky to be down here because people down there would be bickering, stuck inside playing video games, corrupted by drugs and violence. When they don't really know, or think what is really out there for them to reach and touch. That is why I thank the HYCC program for accepting me and giving me that opportunity and more to come. But its getting a bit to late for me to get enough rest for our last day with our site manager Mandy, so I will call it a night. LOVE YOU ALL OAHU TEAM D! GETR DONE AH!

*Blessings. -KhaelynParinas

I definitely think that Mt. Ka'ala was a really special experience for all of us. For one, being at the highest point on Oahu was really spiritually empowering. It was a breathtaking feeling being at a spot where we could overlook both the Waianae Valley and the North Shore. It was symbolic and motivational and I think this experience definitely reinvigorated us after a pretty exhauting week thus far. Seeing some of the most beautiful, rare, and endangered plants on Oahu was also spiritually and intellectually invigorating for a lot of us. The place is so surreal! Walking around in a boggy environment surrounded by really cool, unique, and endemic plants was such a rewarding experience. For me, it definitely placed the importance of conservation into perspective. Although the environment was really beautiful, a place that seemed to be pulled out of "Jurassic Park" or "Avatar", I think the experience was especially rewarding for me because it made me realize just how delicate our ecosystems really are. I was struck by how little remains of these plants, many of which hold special cultural meaning and medicinal properties. I was dumbfounded when I saw how pervasive the crocosnia is, how fast it spread, and how difficult it was to eradicate this invasive speciesl; to see so much of it so close to the reserve definately motivated a lot of us to continue to advocate for environmental conservation. I think what Elise said during our nightly discussion perfectly summed up my experience: the fact that knowledge truly is powerful. The new knowledge, experience, and renewed appreciation for nature we gained through this experience will be something that I think a lot of us will remember, something that will continue to be a source of inspiration.

-Robert, Git Er Done!!!

Camping WEEK 2 Peacock Flats

So this week we were camping at Peacock Flats and we were doing trail work, weed control, hiking, learning about botany, etc... :) And everyday was so much fun! I think the most significant event that happened this week though was hiking through the bog on Mt. Ka'ala. When we went everything was covered in clouds and they told us we'd be lucky if the clouds cleared up so we could see of the cliffs and above the mountains. Then during lunch, perfect timing!, the clouds lifted and the view was spectacular. We went on a walk through the bog after lunch and got to a point on the mountain where you could see the ocean, mountains, fields, everything. I had no idea where we were (xP) but it was still a spectacular view. I love my team and I'm so glad we get along so well. OAHU D! :)
-Elise

HYCC Oʻahu Team D!!!....heading to Mt. Kaʻala (June 22, 2011)

Presenting the dynamite, determined, dazzling, dare-devils - Oahu Team D...Git ʻer done!!!

CAMP PAUHOLE, got 'er done!

This week TEAM D, had the privilege of camping at Peacock Flats, or Camp Pauhole in the upper Mokule'ia region.

We began on MONDAY with Chris Miller, where we cleared the trail at the Mokule'ia hiking trail. Though it was hard work, and we can all say we broke sweat, the trail was absolutely beautiful when we finished. We used tools such as the palaski, hoe, tiller, etc. to clear the trail so that it would allow easier access for workers, hikers, and volunteers like ourselves to build a stronger connection to and appreciation for the 'aina. We then had lunch, and were lucky enough to go to the beach, right below Ka'ena point.

TUESDAY, we hiked up to the top of Makua Rim with Mandy Hardman, where we cut down the strawberry-guava tree. Though this sounds like a delicious Hawaiian Sun flavored juice, this tree's wide-spread presence along the mountains made us lose our appetites for the fruit. We were instructed to cut the tree using hand saws as close to the root as possible, not only as a safety precaution, but also because the herbicide we applied to the stump would be most effective at that point. Once we were through, we then began to move the fallen trees to other side of the posts. It began to rain extremely hard, as we worked endlessly to move the trees. However, Mother Nature did not let up until we were through moving the tree trunks. TEAM D was UNSTOPPABLE!

WEDNESDAY, were privileged enough to be able to drive up to Mt. Ka'ala with Marigold Zoll, Mandy Hardman, and Chris Miller. Mt. Ka'ala as we all learned is the highest point on the island of O'ahu. Not very many people have the opportunity to go to Mt. Ka'ala, so TEAM D seized the opportunity with hard work and appreciation for the area. The team split in two groups. The majority of the team worked to replace and install board walks in the bog to allow easy access for workers and volunteers. The other part of the team worked to remove the corms of the Crocrosmia plant, an invasive species in the area. The corms seemed to be endless, as the team worked until the other majority of team finished installing the board walks. We then had lunch, and had the pleasure of walking to the end of the bog, to a spectacular view. This view encompassed 2 different areas of the island of O'ahu; a view of Wai'anae and the North Shore. As we stood there, we all thought to ourselves, "no where on the island can anyone have a view like this; we're so lucky." I can say on my part, that this was my favorite part of the week! We finished the night off with our own open mic around the campfire, where team members jammed on the ukulele, keyboard, and an African drum. TEAM D is so talented!

On THURSDAY, we continued work on the Mokule'ia trail with Chris Miller. We installed large wooden cylinders to divert water and avoid flooding on the trail. It again rained hard, while we worked, but TEAM D persevered through the rough weather.

FRIDAY, we plan on continuing working on the top of Makua Rim with Mandy Hardman to remove as many strawberry-guava trees as possible. Hopefully, the weather clears up tomorrow, and doesn't rain!

Hopefully, everyone is having a productive week!

ALOHA (: KIANA!

Sorry from last week, I finally figured out how to post a new post to the blog

Hey guys,

I posted last week's entry under a comment for Khaelyn's entry so here it is by it's self:

TEAM D, aka GITTER DONE! aka Da Best!

I had so much fun with you guys this past weekend, it feels like I've known you guys for years though weve known each other for like 4 days! These past 4 days have been a blast; icebreakers, low ropes course, CPR/first aid certification, high ropes course, and of course open mic! In general I will remember all of the meaningful conversations we had during our meals. Getting to know each of you has been a pleasure. Everyone has their own unique and individual personality, and that's why our team is so dynamic. (Notice I used a "D" word haha.) I loved the zipline that was so much fun, and really was not as bad as I thought. I don't think I quite conquered my fear of heights, but definitely put myself out of my comfort zone. In the words of Chase, I tried to be "Bear Grillz." I'm looking forward to the coming weeks with you guys! Malama Pono!

Good evening Team D,

Super sorry this is right before the deadline. Plus it took me awhile to understand how to post something! Due to me not really being a blogger type. But I can manage to learn. So, this past week was training for us HYCC members. I had a lot of fun, no joke! It was way more better then I had expected it to be. Im glad that I got to meet so many new people at once, besides through doing a high school sport or going to a concert. Back to the subject.. My most memorable moment from training week, was pretty much EVERYTHING! But I cant chose that, so I will have to say the time I went. Right now I honestly cant think of the what its called. If i talk about it you guys will know. So the time I went from the very top and glided all the way down upside down! The moment of just floating there gliding through the forest felt like I was in another world where nothing else was there except me and the feeling of the moment. That very moment took my worries away and just allowed me to enjoy and have fun. Well, right now its getting pretty late so I am going to cut it short here. I will see you guys in a couple of hours, bright and early! Love you guys all, get ready Oahu Team D! We are all gonna have a pretty mean fun filled nature knowledge filled summer! haha. honi-honis..goodnight!

*Blessings

KhaelynParinas.

Gii'ter done!! OAHU D!

So hmm what to say.. (Week 1)Well im not a blogger but here we go! The most memorable moment during training week was climbing to the top of the giant ladder with Pono at kualoa, and it took forever but we made it! That moment felt good climbing to the top cause it felt like hours up there and it was so high!!! I literally felt like just falling off cause it was so high up and i was tired of climbing each ladder but my team was there to push me and it felt like a great accomplishment to make it to the top and represent our colors!! But couldnt have done it without my team at the bottom supporting and cheering us on, and OAHU D i love you guys!! you guys are the best! Cant wait to go camping and for the work days to come!
- Austin ( Giiter #1)

Training Week ;p

Heeey guys, I think this is what we're supposed to do right? ;p Haha okay so MEMBER TRAINING WEEK (WEEK 1).. My most memorable moment was getting to the top of the Giant Ladder with Robynne haha, cheee! *HIGH FIVE girlie that's pretty impressive! This whole week was pretty memorable actually but I think another event that by far sticks out the most in my memory is playing "pterodactyl" with you guys before the Environment Fair! xD Haha it was so much fun! 'Cept I lost everytime but that's okay! I couldn't stop cracking up! :) I would have added a picture from this week but I didn't bring my camera and Robynne didn't email me the pictures yet :p Anyway, this summer's gonna be a blast and I'm glad I get to share it with you all! We have an awesome team. Yaay Oahu Team D! :) Love you guys, see you tomorrow!