Here at Ke Alohi, we are at that dynamic place where the land meets the sea and where the stream flows into Kaneohe Bay. Ke Alohi (He’eia State Park) is our living outdoor classroom. It is here that we teach and learn about the delicate Hawaiian ecosystem.
Our location is an incredible natural wonder. He’eia Stream runs through the He’eia ahupua’a from the elevated mauka regions in Haiku and Ioleka’a into the lower slopes and then to the He’eia wetland. The final length of the stream flows under the long bridge and out to Kaneohe Bay between He’eia Fishpond and Ke Alohi Point.
For the past seventy years, the unchecked growth of mangrove has drastically altered the He’eia landscape, threatening to choke of He’eia stream. With the help of enthusiastic volunteers and students from all over the island we help keep He'eia stream clear.
Our ongoing stream restoration project is part of a much larger watershed restoration for the He'eia ahupua'a. The stream is the starting point because it connects the system. It represents the water cycle and the connection to all things that live. In order to have a clean and healthy natural resource we must have a clean flowing source of fresh water.
Restoration of He’eia stream is an ongoing project with the long-term goal of recreating the natural habitat. Alien vegetation such as mangrove is being removed and indigenous coastal plants and trees are planted on the stream banks. Care must be taken to preserve the integrity of the stream bank and stabilize sediments. Mature milo, hau and akulikulikai maintain the banks and large mangrove trunks and aerial roots are left to stabilize stream sediments.
Community workdays are held regularly, enabling members of our community to participate in this on-going project and to thereby gain a better understanding of the importance of our surrounding natural resources. Please call for exact dates and times.
CONSERVATION
