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Published on January 21, 2025
Kaiser Permanente Staff and Volunteers Unite to Restore Hawaiian Cultural Sites on MLK Day of ServiceSource: Google Street View

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a significant community effort took place across Hawaii as over 1,000 Kaiser Permanente staff and volunteers came together for the 2025 Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Annual Day of Service. KHON2 reported that the initiative, organized by Hawaii Permanente Medical Group (HPMG), focused on restoring a variety of cultural and environmental landmarks on multiple islands.

The day-long event encompassed work at several significant locations, including efforts on Oahu to restore ecosystems and enhance cultural ties to the land, as per KHON2. Kaiser Permanente staff devoted their energy to biocultural restoration at both Leeward and Windward sites. The experience was designed to propagate an intimate understanding of the land and its history—a restoration of both site and spirit—marking the 15th year of the annual tradition.

Some of the notable efforts on Oahu took place at two cultural institutions, Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi and the Cultural Learning Center at Ka‘ala Farm, where, according to KHON2, "overgrown grass, weeds, and brush was cleared from the lo‘i and ‘auwai". Celebrating its 65th year of service to Hawaii, HPMG's Dr. John Yang stated, "We are proud to continue our long-standing tradition of giving back to the community through this impactful day of service."

Additionally, volunteers contributed to restoration efforts across Maui and Kaua‘i, enhancing ecosystems and cultural sites such as the Paeloko Learning Center and the Waipā Foundation. "Today is not just a special day for Kaiser Permanente and our team—it’s a meaningful reminder of the values that drive us," Ed Chan, RD, FACHE, Hawai‘i Market president for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, told KITV. Their collective efforts on this Day of Service were rooted deeply in the spirit of MLK's vision, honoring social justice and health equity.

Events spanned the islands, with contributions at Kalaeloa Heritage Park on Oahu to eradicate invasive species, and the promotion of native plants. Over on the windward side, organizations like Papahana Kuaola engaged in mountain, wetland, and ocean ecosystem restoration, as Kaiser Permanente employees worked alongside non-profit partners to live the ethos of mālama ʻāina—caring for the land—binding cultural stewardship with health and community well-being.