45 Youth Work on Kanaha Pond Restoration

By Wendy Osher

Forty-five Youth Conservation Corps members will participate in a day of service on Monday, February 15, 2010 to restore Maui’s Kanaha Pond in Kahului.  The group will work to remove invasive plants, plat native species, and remove a fence to improve accessibility for future restoration efforts.

Kanaha Pond is a 234-acre wetland adjacent to industrial buildings, commercial centers, and the Kahului Airport.  The pond is home to three endangered Hawaiian birds: the Hawaiian coot (‘alae ke‘oke‘o), Hawaiian stilt (ae‘o), and Hawaiian duck (koloa). More than 80 species of migratory shorebirds, waterbirds, and ducks also frequent the pond.  Native plants including makaloa and kaluha, species favored by Hawaiians for matmaking, are also found at Kanaha.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife was awarded funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to engage the youth in protecting and preserving Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources as members of the Recovery Youth Conservation Corps.  The Corporation for National and Community Service awarded the competitive funding to DLNR.