Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service to help restore Kaimuki High School stream bank

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up by Nov. 17

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service (HCNCS), administered by the University of Hawaiʻi Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, is seeking volunteers for a community project in collaboration with Kaimuki High School and the Ala Wai Watershed Association on Nov. 30, 2006. This project is being held as part of HCNCS‘s bi-annual Statewide Cross-stream Training Conference.

HCNCS oversees the AmeriCorps programs in Hawaiʻi and helps communities with environmental, educational, and human and safety needs through collaboration with non-profit organizations.

The day-long community project will enlist AmeriCorps members in working with the Ala Wai Watershed Association to restore the stream bank that borders Kaimuki High School. The restoration efforts, which will be monitored by City and County engineers, will include the removal of overgrown mangroves at the water‘s edge, and the replacement of dislodged stones along the stream bank. The project team will also do some landscaping to beautify the pathway along the stream bank‘s edge.

"The work that will be done will help the conservation efforts in this area which has become a habitat for ducks, herons and white terns," said Isaac Watson, HCNCS project coordinator. "In addition, the planting will make it an attractive pass-through and gathering place for students and neighbors who border the school."

The Commission encourages volunteers who wish to participate in the community cleanup to call 956-8145 by Nov. 17, 2006.