In April 2019, Tenth graders from Maryknoll high school trekked through the dense jungle deep in Manoa Valley to help reforest the streambanks with native plants.
Students were taught how to identify and remove invasive plant species. Invasive species grow and propagate quickly, competing with native species for soil and sunlight. Heliconia flourish near the stream, but pose a threat during heavy rainfall because their shallow root systems prevent them from staying in place as rushing water erodes the stream bank. The plants are carried along in the stormwater, causing debris to pile up downstream.
Ancient Hawaiians meticulously maintained stream banks because they knew clean stream banks are essential to clean stream water.
AWWA Executive Director Karen Ah Mai teaches the students which plants are native and which are invasive.
Kupuna Helen Rauer, volunteer and AWWA Board Member, shares her knowledge of watershed management with the students, making workdays like this possible.
