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By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
LIHUE, Kauai The Kauai volunteer program known as Hoolookahi has brought cleanups and beautification into every part of the island during the past year.
In the countys annual report on the program, coordinator Eddie Sarita said one of the biggest projects to date is the Lihue gateway effort, which seeks to improve the first glimpse of the island that visitors get as they leave the airport.
Much of the work involves planting trees and shrubs at the intersection of Kapule and Kaumualii highways, and for some distance down each of the highways.
The project includes government-financed efforts and volunteer work. On March 3, 55 volunteers planted more than 20,000 plants.
The volunteer groups included the Rotary Clubs of Kauai, the Kauai Filipino Council, the Bahai Faith, the Republican Club, Island School, Hale Opio, Smiths Boats, Waimea Plantation Cottages, Kauai Nursery, the Stanley Alquiza family, and workers from the Kauai Fire Department and county attorneys and economic development offices.
Other volunteers working on the project include the Hawaii Credit Union League, Aloha Church, Princeville Hotel, Kauai Pangasinan Club and the Kusaka family.
In other projects, community volunteers have cleaned up the tree tunnel, Poipu Beach Park, Lydgate Beach, Wailua Beach, Salt Pond Park, Eleele Nani Park, the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, Kekaha Gardens Park and the Kapaa soccer field.
The program has awarded $17,500 in grants, generally to community groups who use the money to buy materials for repairs to community facilities.
The Hoolokahi program was started by County Councilman Bryan Baptiste, who was then the countys convention hall manager. Sarita, now the convention hall manager, took on the responsibility of for the program.
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