ASLA PAPAHANA KUALOA VOLUNTEER DAY - APRIL 26, 2025

ASLA and friends at the Papahana Kualoa Lo`i, He`eia, 2025 Dana Anne Yee, FASLA

Papahana Kualoa Volunteer Day! Thank you everyone from the American Society of Landscape Architects, Alex Tamai, Malu Stanich, and Dana Anne Yee, and our Architecture Partners, Jason Takeuchi and Jojo Briones and Friend Partner Alissa Tamai for the most enjoyable day at Papahana Kuaola on April 26, 2025.  In celebration of World Landscape Architecture Month and Native Hawaiian Plant Month we volunteered at Papahana Kualoa a 63 acre magical place where Hawaiian culture and natural history are being preserved and perpetuated. Papahana Kualoa is located in the Ahupua'a of Heʻeia, situated within the ʻili of Waipao. The Heʻeia ahupua'a is in the Koʻolaupoko district on Oʻahu. 

We had a fun time gathering Kukui Nut Leaves, placing them in the lo`i, for food for the Kalo.  We then got muddy and mashed in the Kukui Nut leaves and did some “grading and drainage” to level out the lo`i.  Following this we helped pull weeds and did more grading and drainage.  We even helped save a baby Cardinal bird, Chirpy.  The day continued to a beautiful spectacular view and short hike adventure to the waterfall to wash the mud off.  It was the perfect day capped off by the great planning of our President, Matt Higa who ordered Gullick plate lunches, special tasty sparkling drinks, and chips and granola bars.  Fresh pineapple slices added to our delicious lunch. 

There were 60 volunteers, including the Girl Scouts and families from around the world, that we had a chance to meet, work together, and become fast friends, on this special memorable day. 

Big Mahalo’s to Rick Barboza and his fine team of leaders, Kealaula and Ayla, to create and organize this special lo'i community event at Papahana Kuaola,