Monthly Archives: September 2016

Waihonu, the pond at the heart of Lili`uokalani Gardens, will start getting a much needed cleaning Saturday, October 1, from 8 a.m. to noon.

debris from demolished homes and businesses ended up in Waihonu during the 1960 tsunami along with tons of mud

Lihiwai Street was reduced to rubble in the 1960 tsunami

Tsunami damage, bagasse from former sugar cane operations up the coast, invasive seaweed and normal silt have covered the floor of Waihonu.

Volunteers will gather at the Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens tent near the tea house for instructions and to obtain tools. There also are land-based tasks for those not able to go in one of two shallow spring-fed ponds to the side of the larger pond.

To the Banyan Drive side of the pond are two small spring-fed ponds choked with invasive seaweed, silt and weeds. The nearby lava outcroppings are covered with bamboo leaves.

A previous cleaning effort uncovered a pahoehoe lava landing near the stone bridge

Harvey Tajiri piles seaweed up.

edging the sidewalk

many thanks to UH-Hilo softball coaches and team

Rotarian Wally Wong scoops seaweed out of the pond

Volunteers willing to go in the pond should come with protective foot gear. Some additional pairs of tabis and gloves will be available to borrow.

Additional chores on land include edging sidewalks, removing leaves from lava rock outcroppings, removing weeds from the stone bridge, and removing lichen from a rock bench.

task: clean lichen off rock bench and remove surrounding weeds

task: edge sidewalk and around large single stone

For additional information or to volunteer for a future work day, contact Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens board members Alton Okinaka at UH-Hilo 932-7117 or K.T. Cannon-Eger 895-8130.