Volunteers Eradicate Weeds

August 23, 2016

Invasive Species Weed Pull Supports Malama Maunakea Campaign

The Office of Maunakea Management (OMKM) Malama Maunakea volunteer day was held on Saturday, August 20 as part of its Malama Maunakea campaign to protect the resources on the mountain.

OMKM organizes volunteer weed pulls monthly to control fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) and other invasive plant species around the Halepohaku area on Maunakea at the 9,000 foot elevation. The fireweed pull helps to keep this invasive species from being transported to the upper elevation areas of Maunakea. Every OMKM volunteer weed pull helps to prepare the area for future restoration projects.

More than 20 community volunteers participated in the weed pull including a school group from Keaau's Christian Liberty Academy, island businesses, and community members.

Saturday began with a project orientation and acclimation to the high elevation for the volunteers followed by a two-hour weed pull, lunch and an informative lecture on the Maunakea resources.

The invasive species weed pulls began in 2012 and have proved to be quite successful with over 1,000 participants volunteering 7,000 hours and pulling 1,523 garbage bags of weeds on 37 separate locations.

The Office of Maunakea Management is this year's recipient of the Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce Pualu Award for Environmental Awareness. This award recognizes the work of organizations that exhibit sensitivity and concern for the environment through innovative environmental practices.

Mahalo to all who came out to help malama Maunakea!

Big Island Video News Coverage of OMKM Volunteer Weed Pull

ABOUT

The Office of Maunakea Management is charged with day-to-day management of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve as prescribed in the Master Plan. The adoption of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve Master Plan by the University of Hawaii Board of Regents in June 2000 marked a critical milestone in the management of Maunakea.

Meetings and public hearings spanning a period of nearly two years went into the formulation of the Master Plan, which established management guidelines for the next 20 years. The Master Plan reflected the community's deeply rooted concerns over the use of Maunakea, including respect for Hawaiian cultural beliefs, protection of environmentally sensitive habitat, recreational use of the mountain, and astronomy research.

It places the focus of responsibility with the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH). The UH-Hilo Chancellor established the Office of Maunakea Management and the Board of Regents established the Maunakea Management Board in the fall of 2000. The Maunakea Management Board in turn formed Kahu Ku Mauna, a council comprised of Hawaiian cultural resource persons to serve as advisors.

OMKM Mission

To achieve harmony, balance and trust in the sustainable management and stewardship of Mauna Kea Science Reserve through community involvement and programs that protect, preserve and enhance the natural, cultural and recreational resources of Maunakea while providing a world-class center dedicated to education, research and astronomy.