In an effort to brace the Windward coast of Oʻahu against the persistent tide of shoreline erosion, volunteers have turned to nature for solutions, laying down the roots of defense with saplings at Punaluʻu Beach Park. According to a report by Hawaii News Now, the initiative, supported by the State of Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, rallied community members for a tree-planting event in March.
During this event, the volunteers, ranging in age from 6 to 80, were intended not only to plant but also to bond, performing collaborative environmental restoration. These efforts saw the plantation of native species known for their capacity to bolster the sand. According to Department of Land and Natural Resources news release, the volunteers came from various organizations and spheres, such as the Punaluʻu Community Association, the Hau‘ula Community Association, and Keiki O Ka ʻĀina Family Learning Centers and farms.
As the demands of an encroaching sea level rise to new heights, the community at Punaluʻu is facing the challenge with an approach advocated by experts and environmentalists alike: engaging with nature, not against it. The volunteers' work included clearing a blocked drainage culvert, preparing land for saplings, and constructing fences for protection of the nascent growth, an apt reflection of the adaptation strategies needed against such a formidable adversary as climate change.
Racine Hee, president of the Punalu‘u Community Association, underscored the community's vested interest in protecting their cherished land. "It was wonderful to see the turnout for the workday and people’s ongoing care for the plants," Hee told Hawaii News Now. Furthering the community's involvement, Department of Land and Natural Resources has invited public participation through a survey to garner feedback on long-term erosion solutions.
Leah Larame, State Climate Change Coordinator, emphasized the urgency of this and similar projects, noting projections that indicate impending coastal inundation. Laramee expressed to
