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Eia Mākou Mālama Maunalua
Eia mākou Mālama Maunalua! (We are Mālama Maunalua)
People of the ‘āina and ocean, those who dwell and care for beloved Maunalua
In the Kona district of O’ahu of Ali’i Kākuhihewa
Maunalua, where the ‘iwa flies above the clouds
‘Elepaio (native flycatcher) chatter and flutter among the koa
The twin feathers of the ‘auku’u (Black-crowned night heron) are tossed by the beach wind
And the schools of ‘ama’ama (mullet) swim below
From Kawaihoa (Portlock Point) where Kāne brought forth life-giving water
To the crashing waves of Kūpikipiki’ō (Black Point)
Kuamo’o-o-Kāne’apua (Koko Head) and Kohelepelepe (Koko Crater) are majestic
Maunalua extends to the cliffs of Pu’u-o-Kona (of Kuli’ou’ou) and Pu’u Lanipō (of Wai’ālae Nui)
To the reefs built by coral polyps, our kin, and the sandy flats where the sea grasses dance
Cherished is the fishpond, Ke’ahupua-o-Maunalua, its companion is Ka’elepulu (in Kailua)
Laukupu, a mo’o, is the guardian of Maunalua
The sea of Koko is for ‘Ouha, the akua manō (shark god) who stands guard
In honor of the akua (gods), our ‘aumakua (family gods), and kūpuna kahiko (ancestors)
We take on this kuleana to learn, share, laulima (work together), and persevere
Our spirits fly high like the ‘iwa above, our intentions, true and deep as Kanaloa’s seas
We will protect, honor, and mālama Maunalua to the last breath
Eia mākou ‘o Mālama Maunalua! (We are Mālama Maunalua)
Lance “Mahi” La Pierre, Maunalua, Kona, O’ahu, May 9, 2008
A remarkable effort led by just a few our friends and neighbors and a small core group of donors led to a partnership with The Nature Conservancy and to an award of Fed Stimulus Money (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) specifically for this Alien Algae Removal Project as reported KHON2 News. This grass roots local group put a grant proposal together for what really is a "shovel ready" project. We can personally attest to the fact that there is no wasteful or ambiguous allocation of funds going on here. See News video.
Be Green 2: Fed Stimulus Money Going to Algae Removal Project - KHON2.com. The stimulus money is specifically for a removal of invasive alien algae project that is under the direction of Mālama Maunalua. MM still is a under funded organization that operates on a shoe string. Here is a link to their site where donations can be made to this fantastically effective non-profit group. Mālama Maunalua, in association with The Nature Conservancy and NOAA MM is really making a difference in the restoration and preservation of this Beautiful Bay.
Alien algae have been recognized as one of the top threats to our oceans’ health and recovery, in Hawai‘i and elsewhere. This threat is exacerbated by sedimentation from land-based sources which helps invasive algae get established and grow on reef flats. Compounding the problem, fishing pressure has dramatically reduced populations of plant-eating species like parrotfishes (uhu) and sea urchins. Once established, invasive algae drastically alter the seabed by smothering and killing corals and seagrass meadows, and overwhelming and destroying habitat for other reef life.
View of Maunalua By from our Lanai at our Black Point Property.
Aerial Photo showing a "Patch" of removed alien algae and it is not coming back!
Algea is removed like this, pick it up and stick it in the bag after inspecting contents for sea life.
Bags are transferred to Canoes or Kayaks then brought ashore and weight and carted off for bio reuse, such as mulching.
Teaching the Keiki (children) is a very important aspect of the community outreach. Getting them to the beach to watch and participate leads to an understanding that they will inherit this responsibility. Understanding the relationship between the Makua and Makai (the mountains and the sea) is something that Keiki need to learn early. Here Congressman Neil Abercrombie Representative of Hawaii's 1st District, instructs Keiki for a photo op.
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