As the kickoff to the West Maui Kumuwai campaign, a massive planting effort took place at Hanakaoo Beach Park, also known as Canoe Beach. More than 1,000 native plants now cover what was once bare soil to beautify the area and reduce the amount of runoff reaching the ocean via Wahikuli Gulch—which can have a negative affect on nearby coral reefs.
“For 25 years, I have driven by the Hanakaoo Cemetery and thought that it seemed sad: hot, dry, dusty, with nothing growing there,” said Patty Shelton, project engineer at Parsons Construction. A year ago, while working on a project nearby, Shelton had an idea to plant native species in the area.
So, she spearheaded an effort to do just that, and the idea snowballed. Multiple individuals, companies and organizations stepped forward, offering time and resources to the undertaking, including Parsons, Kaanapali Operators Association, Convergent Conservation, Native Nursery, Maui Cultural Lands, CJ’s Deli and Diner, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Irrigation Systems Inc., Maui Service Rentals, state Division of Aquatic Resources and Tri-Isle Inc.
For anyone who would like to help maintain the newly planted site, please call Tova Callender with West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative at .
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