Community Outreach Event
EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 26, 2024
As the 2024 paddling season comes to a close, OHCRA invites its paddlers and their ʻohana to participate in the first-ever OHCRA Ridge-to-Reef Restoration Day on Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This volunteer workday will take place in the Maunalua Bay region, focusing on preserving and restoring the vital connections between land and sea. The event is a unique opportunity for the OHCRA community to give back and celebrate the end of the season by making a lasting impact on the environment.
Five simultaneous workday activities will be held across different locations in the Maunalua Bay area, each contributing to the health and sustainability of the bay and surrounding areas. Volunteers will engage in hands-on efforts such as invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and coastal cleanups, emphasizing the importance of caring for both the land (mauka) and the ocean (makai). These activities align with OHCRA’s mission of fostering stewardship and honoring the cultural significance of Hawaiʻi’s natural resources.
The following five events will be held simultaneously:
1. *AT FULL CAPACITY* Process and biopsy corals with Mālama Maunalua, Kuleana Coral Restoration, and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology at Maunalua Bay Beach Park (this will take place on land*) - VOLUNTEER CAPACITY: 12
2. Fishpond restoration with Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center at Kānewai - VOLUNTEER CAPACITY: 19
3. Coral monitoring and photogrammetry in Maunalua Bay with Ocean Alliance Project (MUST BE SCUBA CERTIFIED*) - VOLUNTEER CAPACITY: 10
4. Planting native plants and removing invasives with Aloha Tree Alliance in Kuliʻouʻou Ridge - VOLUNTEER CAPACITY: 40
5. Planting native plants and removing invasives with Protect and Preserve Hawaiʻi in Pia Valley - VOLUNTEER CAPACITY: 40
“This event is about more than paddling—it’s about giving back to the land and waters that support our sport and our way of life,” said an OHCRA representative. “We’re excited to unite our paddling community in this shared responsibility, from the ridges to the reefs, to ensure the health of Maunalua Bay for future generations.”
OHCRA encourages all members and their families to sign up and take part in this important day of service. To volunteer for one of the five Ridge-to-Reef workday events, please register at the following link: Sign-Up Here.
All volunteers will start the day gathering at the Maunalu Bay Halau where there will be a check-in table. Groups will disperse from there to their selected activity. Questions regarding this event can be emailed to outreach@ohcra.com.
