Niu Valley Stream and Canal Clean-up | Community Spirit

The following information is provided by Malama Maunalua:

Malama Maunalua’s Pulama Wai project, (Cherished Waters) in partnership with the Niu Valley community residents will host a stream canal clean up project, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18th at 9:00am. Kimo Franklin, project manager for Malama Maunalua and Evan Fujimoto, President of Graham builders and volunteer leader of the Niu Valley neighborhood clean up hui are leading the effort.  The 1 day activity will be held on the mauka side of the Niu Valley shopping center adjacent to Halemauamau Pl. All participants are asked to park on the adjacent streets and not in the parking center.

Graham Builders, RevoluSun, MW Group, Niu Valley Shopping Center/Kings Cathedral, the City & County of Honolulu, Malama Maunalua and the community have come together to initiate the project and deliver the manpower to remove dirt, sediment and pollution from this area that flows directly into Maunalua Bay.  East Honolulu residents and the general public are invited to participate.  The overall goal is to demonstrate to others in the community what they can do  in their neighborhoods and inspire other residents to become active with Malama Maunlua Pulama Wai projects.  All efforts contribute in helping to address water run-off issues affecting the health of Maunalua Bay.

The health and ecology of Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai has been severely impacted by the effects of urban development and population growth during the last 50 years.  Many urban waterways have been polluted for years by sewage, and runoff from city streets. Malama Maunalua  is implementing these neighborhood water run-off improvement projects under its new Pulama Wai initiative.  Malama Maunalua empowers community volunteers to coordinate, set up and manage new projects with the hopes that the volunteer leaders will take the lead and to keep the project going long term. Community and business leaders are invited to lead, schedule and perform these pilot projects with Malama Maunalua support to ensure the neighborhood volunteer groups are successful. 

Malama Maunalua’s vision is to create self-sufficient and sustainable neighborhood volunteer groups in the region conducting projects which address water runoff issues and erosion from our developed urban areas.  The negative impact on the health of Maunalua Bay from neighborhood water run-off issues has a substantial impact on the Bay. Malamna Maunalua recognizes this needs to be corrected quickly to prevent Maunalua Bay from reaching the tipping point to where the bay is so far damaged it will be impossible to restore to good health.

With dozens of these pilot projects having been launched this year in the Maunalua Bay region, this upcoming Niu Valley stream/canal clean-up is being looked upon with great anticipation. and gratitude towards the community members working to start this water run-off pilot project on August 18. Malama Maunalua is a Non-pofit 501 © 3, founded in 2006 by local residents to restore the health of the Bay.

For more information on becoming a Volunteer Leaders or participate and any of our events, please visit Malama Maunalua’s web-site at: www.malamamaunalua.org and click on Calendar of Events for more information. Or contact Rae DeCoito at 808 395-5050.