Waihonu, the traditional fish pond at the heart of Lili`uokalani Gardens, continues to have mud removed by hand thanks to the dedication of UH-Hilo students. They will be on hand again Saturday, September 22, from 8 a.m. until noon.
Some protective gear is available for those going into the pond. Footwear and gloves are a must. Muck is removed from the walls edging the pond and three feet out into the pond to help protect the walls from damage should pumping or dredging be done in the future.
September 22 volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. in the old sumo ring near the small parking lot off Banyan Drive marked in this photo (aerial photo courtesy of 2017 calendar contest grand prize winner Kenneth W. Jackson and Paradise Helicopters)
An invasive seaweed known as gorilla ogo also is removed. The seaweed is available to gardeners who wish to add it to their compost. The muck is de-watered on site then carried in buckets to a farm.
There are land based chores also for those who do not wish to go into the water.
Here is a link to a flyer on the pond cleaning effort. Mahalo!
Volunteers from UH-Hilo will be joined by officers and crew of the visiting US Coast Guard Cutter Walnut, a 225-foot sea going buoy tender home ported in Honolulu. Among recent tasks accomplished by USCGC Walnut was a joint mission with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USCGC KUKUI in the recovery of more than 22,000 lbs of high seas drift net from the northwest Hawaiian Islands.
U.S. Japanese Gardens 