What's happening in HSTPHSTP is continuing to work hard to protect the Hawai’ian environment. In January of this year a crew of 13 spent 9 days at Kalaupapa clearing exotic plants and planting native plants. In the just-passed spring break, a crew of 10 high school students improved the hiking trail at Waikamoi State Park over on Maui. We have two trips scheduled for this summer, to Kalaupapa (July), and West Maui (August), and a possible third to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in June. We may also start an on-O'ahu fence-building project in The Nature Conservancy's Honouliuli Preserve up at the Wai'anae Mountains.
Who figures all this out? Who decides where to do what project? Who recruits the leaders, cooks, and crews? Who makes sure the budget for the trip is reasonable? This is all the work of the HSTP Executive Committee, which consists of 7 elected members plus some invaluable kokua people. Without the work of this committee, none of the trips you have come to know and enjoy would happen. Please give some thought to some day being on this committee or perhaps lending your kokua. The steering committee members are elected from the long list of HSTP trip veterans, and each year we need to fill some of the positions on the committee. This year we are filling 3 of the committee positions, and we ask you to take the time to vote (for not more than 3) from the following attached list. Please don't forget to send the ballot back!
MAHALO, Scott Rowland (HSTP Chairperson)
The Hawaii Service Trip Program (HSTP) 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.
Enjoy the trip reports below...written by some of our volunteer crew...and see what fun and satisfaction the derive from thei experience
Kalaupapa is HAWAI’I by Nina Yuen - senior, Hilo High School
When I go to the mainland for college, I’m going to tell everyone I’m from Hawaii. My trip to Kalaupapa gave that statement great meaning. At Kalaupapa, I learned, actually felt local culture from the inside. I felt a different friendliness and gutted a fish by myself. Now, when I say I am from Hawaii, I am from a place that has Kalaupapa, where deer run along the beaches, where red wiliwili shine through the crater floor.
When I walked its thin, rural streets in the late afternoon, I could best understand what Hawaii is, and what Hawaii was. The land there is thick with history, thousands of people are buried under the stretches of grass, along the beaches where the waves pound on the giant rocks and the heiau groan with age in the mountains. The license plates from old Hawaii are still there, on cars that seemed even older, crawling slowly on the streets, like the tired last survivors of an endangered species. The trip was not only a trip back in time to old Hawaii, but a trip back in time to hunter-gatherer cave-man days. When I sat on the beach for an hour, sifting through the sand, finding tiny shells and collecting them in the palm of my hand, I saw a black silhouette emerging from the rocks, clutching speared fish, as if it originated in the ocean. It was a trip where men’s eyes sparked red with primal violence at running deer, as some sprung from the reefs, and chased pigs through the woods with spears.
Our service group was Hawaii. It was pure variety, the full range of everything. We had the ultimate diversity of races. We have the anciently wise and the innocently young. The perfectly conventional and those that totter on the brink of strangeness. But we all smiled. We smiled and burst out with different laughs as we squeezed on our gloves and helped heal Hawaii. Together we pulled out the disease of the plants that destroy the millions of years of evolution of species on this precious peninsula.
So when I go to college, in the freezing snow, and someone asks me "Where are you from?" I will say, smiling, "Hawaii." And in my mind, Kalaupapa will flash, like a shining red wiliwili seed on the forest floor.
Kalaupapa January 1999 By Jamie Tanino and David White
On a Sunday morning, David White (of Leilehua) headed out to pick up Natalie Borrello. At the Aloha Island Air Terminal, we met Jamie Tanino (Castle grad.) and Waimea Williams, members of our Hawai’i Service Trip Program (H.S.T.P.) Kalaupapa crew. This Kalaupapa Service Trip was held January 3rd to the 10th, 1999. Later arrived Kanani Reid, Debbie Naclerio, Sherine Boomla, Nicole Both, Lori Taketa, and our trip leader, John Cummings III. Joining us from Hilo High School was Nina Yuen.
We arrived at "top side" Ho’olehua Airport, Moloka’i then huddled into a van. We drove to the famous Kalaupapa mule trail where we met Jeff Trainer, Kalaupapa National Park Plant Specialist. After hiking down 26 switch backs, we arrived at the Kalaupapa Settlement. At the quonset hut dormitory, we met Jeremy Taguchi, a National Park volunteer from Vancouver, British Columbia. After taking inventory of our supplies, we stopped by the airport to pick up Michael Ahulau and Ian Robertson who took the easy way down.
Day 2, we woke up at 6 a.m. and helped prepare our breakfast of spam and eggs. By 8 a.m. we headed to Kauhako Crater where we separated into two work groups. With chain saws in hand, Jeremy and Jeff led the way into Kauhako Crater cutting large branches. While everyone else followed their leader with loppers, machetes and Swedish brush axes, we cleared back the overgrowth. By lunch time, we completed our work projects ahead of schedule. After lunch, we cleared around the crater rim and then we all headed “home” to the quonset hut. Before dinner we went swimming, picture taking, and playing cards. Our dinner guests were Uncle Naia, and Zorro, his dog and constant companion whose company we enjoyed very much. Uncle Naia shared with us many stories of his life at Kalaupapa and living with Hansen’s Disease. He also enjoyed challenging Natalie to many games of checkers and winning many of them. Poor girl!
On Day 3, we rock hopped the coastline to Waikolu Valley. There, we picked cockle burr seeds and seedlings by collecting them in a plastic bag and dumping them into the ocean to eradicate them. We spotted goats gallivanting high up on the steep slopes of the valley wall. John went off to spear prawns in the nearby stream and somewhere along the way, he lost the car keys. Everyone gathered to search the stream for them, only to find a Powerbar wrapper, which had also escaped John’s pocket. After awhile of searching, John came to realize that he might have left them in the van! We continued to pick seedlings at the tail end of the amphitheater valley, Waikolu. When we were done, we headed back skipping rocks along the coastline. And there, sitting in the ignition of the van, was the keys! After a fit of giggles, we went on our merry way back home to do what ever 'till dinner.
Our "day-off" was spent with Dean Alexander, Kalaupapa National Park Superintendent. Dean drove us to a heiau at Kalawao and showed us the “Rock Doctor” petroglyph, one of two known petroglyphs on the peninsula. The other is the “Stone Nurse.” We explored a lava tube called Old Woman's Cave and the climax of the tour was a visit to the largest lighthouse in the Pacific. We climbed 198 steps to reach a breathtaking view of the entire peninsula.
Day 5, we returned to Kauhako Crater. The first group cleared 1/3 of the crater rim fence line. While the other group went down into the crater to clear morning glory vines and cut down non-native trees. A herbicide was used in l spray pumps to kill the rapidly growing sisal plants. We then gathered wiliwili seeds from the mother tree and planted over 400 of them through out the forest floor.
Day 6, we headed to the beach to tackle a large bush/tree called a Beach Heliotrope. In between truck loads, we frolicked in the water, picked seashells and observed a monk seal sunbathing near the shore. After work, a majority of the group headed back to the quonset hut while Kalawaia (a National Parks carpenter), John, David and Jamie stayed back to spend time on the beach. Some of us watched Kalawaia's Fish Cleaning 101 class, with his star student, Nina.
Day 7 was wet and rainy. We crammed into the van and drove to an open field in search of the elusive Bull Thistle, a very prickly weed. We located about two dozen on 4 acres of land which was a good sign. We headed out to another field near the slaughterhouse to continue our search and destroy mission. After completing our task in about two hours, we had the rest of the day to relax. Jamie, David, Natalie, and Nina went site seeing, took pictures and went to the beach in search of more shells. After awhile, John drove up in the van with Kalawaia, Kanani, Adaline (another HSH/HSTPer), Michael, and Ian to search for Kamani seeds in the Kalawao Forest.
That night, after dinner and more card games, Jamie, David, Natalie, Nina, Michael and Ian went to play pool at the pool hall. After a few games, John drove up with some of the others and we joined them to go deer "hunting". Actually, spotting deer with the headlights and scaring them half-to-death. We also went star gazing near the lighthouse and on the middle of the old runway by lying down next to each other, side by side, in a line. The final morning was spent cleaning the quonset hut after attending a church service. When all the luggage was packed, we headed to the airport and said our sad good-bye's to the new friends we made. After arriving back in the cement jungle of Honolulu, we knew we'd miss the pristine and serene beauty of Kalaupapa. And most importantly, the friends and the residents we met there.
Fun Times had by All on Maui Service Trip from Bob Keane and crew
Thirteen students and three advisors participated in a Maui Service Trip from March 21-27, 1999. This Hawaii Service Trip Program (H.S.T.P.) sponsored trip has become an annual event for high school students since Spring Break 1996. Our participants this year were Abbie Llanes from Campbell; a graduate of Castle, Jamie Tanino; Robert Kauila of Farrington; Susan Wong, David White, Melanie Kim, Craig Koyanagi, Jaret Shishido, Davie Gabayan, Kenneth Henson, April Bookout, Jenni Bull from Leilehua and Brandy Nagamine of Roosevelt. Leading were advisors Bob Keane, Gayla Nishimura and Natalie Borello.
Spreading gravel and working on the Waikamoi Ridge Trail for the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) was the primary purpose of this trip. And if that wasn’t enough work, the group fixed up and cleaned yard at their temporary homes, the beautiful Keanae Congregational Church and Kula’s St. John’s Church.
On days off, everyone headed to “heavenly Hana” and a little dip at ‘Ohe’o Falls (7 Sacred Pools). They also paid a visit to Maui’s Hawaii Nature Center and looked over the work done during last years service trip. Friday was “the adventure” into Haleakala Crater which lasted in to sunset. All in all, everyone had a fun and memorable trip. Maui DLNR and both churches greatly appreciated the hard work, and enthusiastically encourage future service projects. Congratulations to Bob Keane and the crew for a “job well done!” Mahalo to Hawai’ian Trail and Mountain Club who helped fund this trip. Until next year, a hui hou!
HSTP UPCOMING SERVICE TRIPS 1999
DATE DESTINATION CONTACT Aug. 15 - 22 WAIHE’E, WEST MAUI Jim Yuen limit: 12 Boardwalk work Summer Weekends HONOULIULI PRESERVE Scott Rowland Trail Maintenance/Fencing - Need leaders (TBA) VOLCANO, HAWAII Scott Rowland Winter (TBA) KALAUPAPA, MOLOKA'I (TBA)
HAWAI’I SERVICE TRIP PROGRAM TRIP DESCRIPTIONS HONOULIULI PRESERVE, OAHU
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 several trail maintenance and fencing service projects in a couple months. Most of them scheduled for weekends.
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, noxious 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 dormitory style with beds, hot showers and kitchen.
WEST MAUI MOUNTAINS, MAUI
State Forestry has requested help with the boardwalk at Waihe’e in the West Maui Mountains. This would involve working with tools and carrying supplies. A nearby Boy’s Scout camp will be our home away from home. Please contact the trip leader for more information.
KILAUEA VOLCANO, HAWAI’I (BIG ISLAND)
The National Park Service has asked HSTP to do some trail work near Kipuka Pepeiao Cabin. Near the junction of the Ka’u Desert Trail and the Ka’aha Trail at the southwest portion of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The work will involve weed wacking in hot dusty conditions.
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
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