Posted on: Monday, May 23, 2005
Maintaining the marsh
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — Charles Burrows, 72, spent his childhood in Kailua, swimming at the beaches, playing in the marsh and walking the streams. Today he returns there each week as a member of several groups that volunteer to nurture, restore and preserve Kawai Nui Marsh and historical sites.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser "I'm just one of many," Burrows said. "The important thing is just being able to work together toward common goals."
His goals have been to restore sites in the marsh such as Na Pohaku o Hauwahine, Holomakani Heiau and Ulupo Heiau. He and others provide educational tours of Kailua for students and adults and lobby to protect Hawaiian cultural sites.
For the past eight years, the retired Kamehameha Schools teacher has carried out his mission and the results include the organization of hundreds of volunteers from schools, colleges and community groups and thousands of man-hours spent in constructing trails, removing alien vegetation and replanting 12 acres of dry land surrounding Na Pohaku with native plants.
Burrows belongs to several organizations that have connections with the marsh, including Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation, Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi and the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club. He's also a member of the Kailua Historical Society, Aloha Aina Health Center and Ho'olaulima, a group that is planning an education center for the marsh.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser Burrows said the roots that he set down as a youth have always brought him back to Kailua. As a teacher he would bring his students to Kailua to study the ecology and culture of the community.
"Those long-term roots go back and continue, especially with the concept of stewardship of the 'aina," he said. "That's a lifelong commitment. I've dedicated my life to this cause.''
Stanley Kanetake, vice president of the Windward Rotary, said he was especially impressed with Burrows' project to remove portions of the vegetative mat sitting on the marsh, uncovering the water below and making a habitat for water birds. Burrows' projects in the marsh are helping to build a future there, Kanetake said.
"It is an overlooked and neglected resource," he said. "I think it takes someone like (Burrows) ... to keep at it and keep it at the forefront of our attention."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
This month, Burrows was recognized for his efforts by the Rotary Club of Windward O'ahu and given the Service Above Self Award, which he said belongs to all the people who work alongside him.
Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi president Charles P.M.K. Burrows, whose own roots in Kailua stretch back to his childhood, helped open up wetland habitat for native birds by removing sections of the vegetation mat that covers much of Kawai Nui Marsh's surface water.
Recently the marsh was named a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention, an offshoot of the United Nations. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is seeking national park status for the marsh.
The anapanapa, indigenous to Hawai'i, grows in a restored area above Kawai Nui Marsh where invasive species are culled out.
