Hui o Ko'olaupoko

10/07/2026

This past Sunday, October 4, HOK joined Manu ʻIwa O Ka Malanai at their Invasive Species Fishing Tournament to talk story about red mangrove and how we can all help stop its spread throughout Hawaiʻi’s waterways and coastlines!

During the event, we challenged keiki to see how many mangrove seeds they could find and collect. By the end of the day, they had collected around 1,600 seeds! And that was just a few kids over a couple of hours!

Now imagine how many more mangroves we could prevent from taking root if we all collected or snapped the seeds whenever we saw them at the beach or along our waterways. Small actions can make a big difference when we all pitch in. Next time you see a red mangrove seed when you’re at the beach or on the water, collect it or snap it!

Want to make an even bigger impact? Join HOK at one of our upcoming red mangrove removal workdays at Kawainui! Find more information and sign up for an upcoming volunteer workday at huihawaii.org.

Mahalo nui to Manu Iwa for having us, and to all of the keiki who helped us collect mangrove seeds.

See it, snap it, stop it! 🌱

10/05/2026

08/30/2026

Hui o Ko'olaupoko is looking for a part time Kupu member or project assistant for our upcoming mangrove removal projects! Want to help battle invasive species like mangrove? Interested in helping spread awareness and educate the windward community about conservation? Then this is for you! Applications are open at https://www.kupuhawaii.org/participate or apply directly with us at [email protected].

08/27/2026

Wow! News of our new project dropped 24 hours ago and the first workday is already full, you guys are amazing! If you didnt make it in time for the first event, don't worry, dates through the end of the year are now live on our web calendar.

08/27/2026

KAILUA, OʻAHU, HAWAIʻI – Volunteers are being sought for a large-scale restoration effort that is underway to remove invasive red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) from Kailua’s waterways. The goal is to restore natural water flow, improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and protect critical habitat for Hawaiʻi’s endangered native waterbirds.

Introduced more than a century ago, invasive red mangrove now clogs waterways and degrades wetland habitat that endangered Hawaiian waterbirds depend on for nesting and feeding.

HOK will coordinate volunteers, schools, community groups and public and private landowners to remove mangrove seedlings and propagules by hand. Native wetland plants will be restored in cleared areas to prevent reinvasion and strengthen habitat for native wildlife.

“We’re honored to partner with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife to bring the wetland and bird habitat restoration techniques we’ve developed at Heʻeia State Park back to our hometown,” said HOK Executive Director Kristen Nālani Kāne. “This is the first of many phases needed to achieve functional eradication of mangrove from Kailua’s waterways, and community participation will be essential to its long-term success.”

“Removing invasive mangrove is essential to restoring the health and function of these wetlands. This project reflects what’s possible when agencies and community work together to create better habitat for Hawaiʻi’s native waterbirds and a more resilient ecosystem for future generations,” said Lailan Uy, a wetland biologist working with the University of Hawaiʻi Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit in cooperation with DLNR DOFAW.

Monthly volunteer workdays begin Saturday, September 26, 2026, and are open to participants ages 18 and older. Initial efforts will focus on removing small mangrove trees and seed pods along Kawainui Stream between Kawainui Neighborhood Park (Kaha Garden) and the Hāmākua Street Bridge.

Community members interested in volunteering or learning more about the project can visit the Hui o Koʻolaupoko website.

08/27/2026

Ready to make a difference?
Join our native xeriscape project and feel the joy of volunteering.

07/04/2026

Test your property and plants for LFA every 6 months! When there's fireworks, time to test for fire ants.

Before bringing home new plants 🌿, soil, or mulch, quarantine and test them!
LFA often hitchhike on potted plants, garden supplies, and outdoor equipment.

🪴 Keep new plants isolated for a few weeks and do a simple peanut butter stick test before placing them in your garden.
A quick check today can prevent a neighborhood infestation tomorrow.

Together, we can stop Little Fire Ants from spreading across Oʻahu!

05/28/2026

May 22nd, 2026 is International Day for Biological Diversity! Here in Hawaii we deeply understand the importance of protecting biodiversity as most species native to the islands have no other home around the globe. Protecting biodiversity prevents extinction of these species as well as supports balanced ecosystems, healthy watersheds, and carbon storage. Join us at Kaha Garden to learn how to support biodiversity in your yard by removing invasive species and planting native species. Click the link in our bio to volunteer at Kaha Garden!

05/23/2026

Ready to make a difference? 🌿 Join our native xeriscape project and feel the joy of volunteering!

05/19/2026

Join us and partners on May 30th for the homeowners environmental expo! Get a free rain barrel, free plants, and more.