Forest Restoration Project Outside of the Park – Beach Clean-up at Kamilo Point     

As you know, most of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remains closed due to the summit eruption/subsidence. With that in mind, we will try something different for our July project—Let’s go to the beach! Forest Restoration Project Outside of the Park.
The Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is hosting our next volunteer FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT on Friday, July 20th, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This month we’ll be working with the Hawaii Wildlife Fund doing a beach cleanup at Kamilo Point in Ka’u. There is a mega-gyre of floating plastic estimated to be larger than the state of Texas that is pouring a steady stream of marine debris on certain beaches of Hawai’i. At South Point (Ka Lae) of Hawai’i Island, HWF has cleaned more than 240.6 tons of marine debris from these beaches since 2003. This coastline is visited by endangered Hawaiian monk seals, humpback whales, and nested on by the endangered hawksbill turtle. Volunteers play an important role in removing this debris to protect ocean wildlife and preserve this remote shoreline.

Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to walk at least one-half mile over rocky/sandy shoreline. Sturdy footwear is required, along with sun/wind protecting clothes, hat and sunscreen plus drinking water, snacks and lunch. This is a remote location, so everyone will need to stay for the full project. Please note that part of the drive will be on 4WD roads that are very dusty and bumpy.

Clothing, packs, and gloves, etc. should be clean before entering the park vehicles to protect against seeds, Rapid Ohia Death fungus and other invasives.

Our goal is a crew of 18 people, and pre-registration is required. All participants will need to sign a Friends release form,  and a Hawaii Wildlife Fund form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign.

Be aware that there can be VOG or high levels of SO2 in the area. If conditions are bad, we’ll cancel the project and try to notify everyone in advance.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mark Johnson at forest@fhvnp.org or (808) 961-5012 by Monday evening July 16, 2018. Please include your first & last name(s), email address(s) and a phone number where we can reach you at the last minute in case of cancellation.

If you registered earlier for our July 20th project could you please re-confirm your participation.
Come join us for a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and protect a remote section of the Kau coastline!

Mark Johnson, Patty Kupchak, & Paul Field
Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park’s Forest Restoration Committee

P.S. Please save the dates for our upcoming Forest Restoration Projects in 2018:

August 17, Friday
September 21, Friday
October 19, Friday
November 16, Friday