From Spring 2012:

Over the last few months we have been busy working at our Piliokahe Restoration and Beautification Project at Piliokahe (Tracks) Beach Park. Since the start of the project in August 2011, we have had 167 volunteers come out to clear invasive non-native plants, spread mulch that the city has so generously delivered for us, pick up litter and marine debris, and plant native species. Thank you to groups from Papahana Kuaola, Kapolei High Schoolʻs Go Green Club and National Honor Society and everyone who came out for your hard work! (Students from Leihoku Elementary are pictured below.)

From November to January we removed over 10,000 pieces of trash. Everyone was shocked at the staggering amount of trash collected. We found various items including broken toys, large amounts of plastic including plastic bags and food containers, glass and clothing. We even found a few tires and a copy machine.  Students were able to see first-hand the effects of marine debris.  One volunteer was visibly upset because a large amount of trash was collected very close to her home. She said, “Before today, I never really cared about trash.  I’ve never even noticed all of this trash on this beach before. From now on, if I see trash I will pick it up!”  

Students have been working hard to create a new healthy habitat for these plants and we have started planting! Six mau aki aki and four akia have found new homes on the windy beach… if you around Tracks and see these little plants struggling, give them a little love and a cup of water to help them adapt to their new surroundings.

This project has done more than improve the environment. It has brought people together to work cooperatively. One mother shared, as her two sons worked together planting, “Look, they are working together, and not fighting!” Another mother commented, "I enjoyed seeing how much the kids valued this experience. They really loved planting and cleaning up." Another parent said, "This program is an excellent experience for my children. They are learning about taking care of the environment along with being responsible citizens. Thank you for coordinating this restoration activity. Great Day!"

From Fall 2011:

Sun, beautiful vistas and a whole heap of sweat and weeds…

Mālama Learning Center has begun restoration work out at Piliokahe, also known as Tracks Beach Park. In late August and September, with dedicated volunteers, we started clearing invasive weeds, haole koa and lots of litter. So far we’ve cleared over 35 bags of debris and trash including bottle caps, old glass bottles, and even six pairs of underpants!

This month we continued to clear the area before starting to cover the area with mulch. The area is starting to transform!  Piliokahe project coordinator, Sayo Costantino says, "I love being a part of transforming an area from dry dying grasses to vibrant native plants. I am inspired by the volunteers; community members, teachers, and students who take time out of their day to come out and work so hard to make this restoration possible."

Soon we will finish mulching the area and begin planting. Many of our plants will come from the new native plant nursery at Nānākuli Intermediate and High School. We're excited to see everything come full circle for the students who have worked so hard out at at Piliokahe as well as in their nursery. The students will out have the opportunity to out-plant the plants from their nursery and watch them thrive.