The Hawaii Service Trip Program
of the Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter

FALL 1998 NEWSLETTER

Greetings HSTP person!

This is the first issue of what we hope will become a regular visitor to your mailbox.

We (the HSTP steering committee) are worried that the only contact many of you ever have with HSTP and the Sierra Club is during actual service trips. This is bad because it doesn’t promote much camaraderie nor does it do much to encourage you to become involved in trip planning, long-range plans of HSTP, or other stuff li’ dat. So...we’ve started a newsletter.

Each issue will contain some official things such as information on upcoming trips, upcoming hikes and workshops sponsored by HSTP, and brief reports from recently-completed trips. In addition to these, however, there will be contributions that present the “human” side of service trips. These include photos, drawings, stories, and thoughts about being on trips, dreaming of being on trips, dreaming while on trips--oops, I’m getting carried away...you get the picture. We want all HSTP veterans to feel as if they are part of an extended family who have each shared the wonder of the outdoors as they’ve sweated to protect it. Contributors to the first few issues will be HSTP steering committee members (because I can twist their arms), but I very much want you folks out there to participate as well. As soon as we get this newsletter thing organized and rolling, we will be calling for contributions of anything that you’d like to pass along, to fellow trip participants that you’ve lost track of, trip participants you’ve never met, whoever. As long as it can be printed on paper, has something to do with HSTP, isn’t more than 1 page long, and is in good taste, we want it. So... for now I invite you to sit back and read a bit of unsolicited, but definitely non-junk mail.

Aloha, Scott Rowland, HSTP chairperson.

 

Why We Do the Work We Do by John M. CummingsIII

Let’s face it, hauling fencing materials on a rainy cold day in the middle of some mud bog on the side of a mountain (for free!) has got to be the stupidest endeavor you can think of. If this is true, then all of us in the Hawaii`i Service Trip Program are stupid. We are stupid because we care about Hawaii`i. We are stupid because we know that for every foot of fencing that goes up equals another feral pig that will starve for lack of a diet of native plants. We are stupid for spending countless hours clearing vegetation from treasured and ancient Hawaiian sites. If smart means ignoring or being oblivious to our islands’ rich ethno-botanical heritage and the dangers that threaten their existence daily, then rubber stamp my forehead with a big capitol “S” for stupid.

The Hawaii`i Service Trip Program has survived and flourished for more than two decades. We have survived because of the sheer determination and dedication of a handful of individuals who believe that picking up a shovel, pounding a pole and swinging a machete can and do create immense miracles. Sweat equity I believe it is called, sweat and love in rivers for our island home. Personally, I for years have had an aversion to polities and the hassle of same. Don’t get me wrong, there are those chosen few who are excellent at lobbying and working toward the goals of a richer and more environmentally protected Hawaii`i. God bless them all! My politics are simple: I find them at the end of a Pulaski. My lobbying is the pleasure derived from whacking away at a trail and looking back and seeing instantaneous and identifiable results. Results that are tangible during the walk back to camp with blisters, sore all over, and hungry as all get out. Going home knowing you made a difference. This article is for those of you who may be new to HSTP and who will someday be asked by friends or family why you were gone for two weeks and did what you did. Tell them, “I hang out with the best-- stupid, but the best!” Imua HSTP! Lorin, you did well.

 

KANEKAUILA (KIPAHULU) HSTP SERVICE TRIP (or the “Cool Pools of ‘Ohe’o” Kipahulu, Maui) 15-19 August 1994 by Gerald Toyomura, Trip Leader

The Hawaii`i Service Trip Program (HSTP) of the Hawaii`i Chapter, Sierra Club has a long and distinguished history of conducting service trips to various environmental conservation organizations (National Parks, State parks, forests reserves, NARS, TNC preserves, etc.) for the protection of these special areas and the legacy continues. During the summer of 1994, on short notice, HSTP put together a week long (5 days) service trip with the Haleakala National Park in Kipahulu Valley, Maui. Gerald Toyomura, a long-time HSTP member and then a member of the HSTP ExComm, put together a service trip in less than one month from PR to financial report. You might have seen articles in the Downtown Planet, Ka Leo, Malama or even on ‘Olel’o, announcing HSTP’s new service project. Originally, the project was to clear brush from Kanekauila Heiau, which was in the process of being turned over to the National Parks, but permission was not received yet, so an alternate project of clearing brush along the fence line from the National Park baseyard, down by the coast line at ‘Ohe’o pools, towards the top of Haleakala Crater. Due to the short duration of the trip, there were no days off, however, the best was made with the time we had.

The first day was spent driving in from Kahului Airport along the Hana Highway and stopping along the spectacular views. First a little coffee and donuts in Makawao, then picking up lunch at “Picnics” in Paia. Half way to Hana, we stopped and toured Keanae, where we had lunch on the tip of the Keanae Peninsula. Continuing on the beautiful coast, to ‘Ohe’o, we crossed many bridges, waterfalls and pools along the way. Caution had to be taken because the highway was often a single lane for opposite traveling traffic with blind curves, one-lane bridges, cliffs, and drop-offs on each side. In Hana we stopped at the Museum, the beach and the famous Hasegawa’s General Store for some supplies. We reached the camp site in the mid-afternoon which was partially set up for us. There was fantastic support from the National Park, providing us with a commissary tarp, picnic tables, coolers, stoves, lanterns, potable water, some pots and pans, etc. No drinking water was available at the campsite and all drinking water had to be brought in. Originally, we thought we would get to our base camp by mid-afternoon and have some time to enjoy the “cool pools of ‘Ohe’o” before the end of the day, but we took so much time along the way that the pools would have to wait for another day.

The next three days were work days. On the first and second work days we all did brush clearing along the fence line. Most of the brush was Christmas berry! If you want to see a sea of Christmas berry, this is the place to come. On the third day, a couple of the crew went to carry rocks to fix the National Park Kaupo access road. After work was our time, and there was no lack of things to do, including preparing great meals.

Lisa Hamilton, the then Chapter’s conservation Chair, invited us over to her place in Kipahulu, a couple miles down the wilderness coast. It was an amazing place away from everything, off the power grid, using windmill power, solar power, solar heating, water catchment system, her own garden, etc. Her place was on the slopes of Haleakala, with Kaupo Gap in the the back and a tremendous front view of the ocean from which you could see Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa on a clear day. Also not to forget to mention that one could see whales pass by her front door during whaling season. One night, we made dinner in her rustic kitchen with some herbs and vegetables from her garden, peppers and fruits from our gatherings in the fields where we were working, plus our main menu items which we brought with us. We had a fabulous meal and everyone had a good time.

Wednesday we went into Hana to pick up supplies and swam at Black Sand at Wainapanapa. Then on to Hamoa beach for some swimming at a white sand beach. At Hamoa, we took showers and did our much-needed laundry. That night was ka bobs on the barby, and everyone had a good time.

Thursday was our last night and after a hot summer’s day of work n the brush, we finally got to swim in the “cool pools of ‘Ohe’o,” the famous ‘Ohe’o pools (not to be called the “Seven Sacred Pools”)which was refreshing and marvelous. Dinner for that night was Ogo soup, tofu steak, and somen asparagus which, of course, was marvelous too.

On our last day, we went hiking and scouting at Waimoku Falls. We met back at camp for lunch, packed up and headed for our return trip along the south side of Haleakala to Kahului. We stopped off at Charles Lindbergh’s grave, Kanekauila Heiau (which was our original project), Loa Loa Heiau and Kaupo Store. Then along the Pililani Highway through some drastically changing geography, from the +400 inches rainfall in Kipahulu, past Kaupo Gap, then dry scrub land of orange and yellow green Wiliwili blossoms, to the dry lava fields which received only a few inches of rain a year. Just before Ulupalakua Ranch and Tedeschi Winery, we could see Molokini Island and Kahoolawe. Around Pu’u Mahoe the climate changed again as we entered the wet cool Kula side of East Maui. We followed the Kula and Haleakala highways down to the Airport, where we snacked and tried to recall where we have been and where we would go for futureproject sites, while we waited for our flight back to Honolulu.

All in all, it was a great Sierra Club experience, protecting and enjoying the environment. Another successful service trip for HSTP. Aloha and Mahalo to the trip members: Randy, Daniel, Phyllis, Mike, Rosanna, Huilin, and Franz; and the National Park personnel, especially Ted and Eric.

 

HAWAI’I SERVICE TRIP PROGRAM TRIP DESCRIPTIONS

HONOULIULI PRESERVE, O’AHU Located on Campbell Estate Land in the south Waianae Mountains, this preserve has been managed by the Nature Conservancy of Hawai’i for the past several years. To help maintain this pristine forest, HSTP is planning a 3-day, 2 night trail maintenance service project in a few months. Will involve backpacking and tenting on trail.

KALAUPAPA NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK, MOLOKA’I “Totally AWEsome!” is the constant phrase given by folks who have experienced the beauty, charm and aloha of this isolated place. Located on a windswept peninsula on the north shore of Moloka’i, this land is a natural prison with 2,000 ft. cliffs on one side and the crashing sea on the other. A prison for the history of Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) patients who have walked its’ soil. The Kalaupapa National Historic Park was established in 1980 and today is maintained by the National Park Service. Trail maintenance, noxous weed control , cleaning the beaches of debris and fence work are some of the projects HSTP has done here. Days off are spent exploring the peninsula, hiking, swimming, fishing, watching monk seals or having a beer or two at the only bar in town. Facilities are a quonsehut dormitory with beds, hot showers and kitchen.

WEST MAUI MOUNTAINS, MAUI State Forestry has requested some help with trail maintenance in the West Maui Mountains. This would involve some noxous weed control and work on the trail(s) themselves. HSTP has reserved this spring break trip for High School students. Contact leader for details.

PU’U WA’A WA’A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY is forested land on the slopes of Hualalai, North Kona, Big Island. Participants will either be eradicating noxous weeds or helping with the fence line. Hike and experience the rare endemic or native plant and bird life which fill the forests here. There is a cabin, an area for tenting, hot water and electricity.

 

HSTP UPCOMING SERVICE TRIPS 1999

[TBA : To Be Announced]

HONOULIULI , O’AHU Scott Rowland - Trail Maintenance Winter Break

KALAUPAPA , MOLOKA’I John Cummings - Noxous weed control and or fencework Sherine Boomla Spring Break (tent.) New Year week

WEST MAUI MOUNTAINS Jim Yuen 1999 for High School students. March school break.

PU’U WA’AWA’A, BIG ISLAND, leader TBA, Summer 1999

KALAUPAPA Summer oir Fall, 1999

HAWAII SERVICE TRIP PROGRAM (HSTP) undertakes week-long back-country trips to accomplish necessary conservation related projects. These projects impart on all participants an experience which will foster a life-long commitment to caring for the environment. More importantly, the program is designed to develop the leadership potential of its young people. Participants must be in good health, become a Sierra Club member, and obtain approval of the trip leader. The trips allow for equal amount of time for work and play. The participant can use their free time to hike, explore or relax. Contact Sherine Boomla our PR/Recruitment chair for more information. Hawaii Service Trip Program c/o Sierra Club, Hawai’i Chapter P.O. Box 2577 Honolulu, Hawai’i 96803

 

HSTP Executive Committee and staff

Chair: Scott Rowland Chair 942-1084

Vice-Chair: (vacant)

Leadership Development: John Cummings 569-6485 pgr.

Finance Chair: Pauline Sato 537-4508

Project Evaluation: Bill Aoki bill@gte.net

Secretary: Jim Yuen jimyuen@hawaii.rr.com

Bublic Relations and Recruitment : Sherine Boomla 239-6696

Newsletter: Adaline Kam ada_pawaa@yahoo.com

 

Hawai’i Service Trip Program Newsletter is a quarterly publication produced by the Hawai’i Service Trip Program, an activity section of the Sierra Club, Hawai’i Chapter. All articles may be submitted on disk using Clarisworks, Microsoft Word or Word Perfect or via e-mail at: ada_pawaa@yahoo.com or mail articles, photos, drawings, etc. to: HSTP c/o Sierra Club, Hawai’i Chapter P.O. Box 2577 Honolulu, Hawai’i 96803


Aloha, you are Hiker number

For applications and information, please contact:

Hawaii Service Trip Program
P.O. Box 2577
Honolulu, HI 96803
Phone: (808)538-6616

Home Page : For Info or Comments, email HSTP@Geocities.com

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