By Barry Villamil, President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge
The Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) began their volunteer work on the Kalawao Stream Project on Saturday in Aiea at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School (Cross Academy) to beautify a portion of the church/school Native Hawaiian Garden along Kalawao Stream. Cross Academy School Principal and RCOP Youth Services Chair Clarence De Lude is leading the Kalawao Stream Project that also includes community partner Mana Loa Nimitz Lions Club (MLNLC). Cross Academy students spent time during the week in the Native Hawaiian Garden that also includes a fresh water Lo’i.
We had a great start on Saturday as volunteers cleared out weeds, overgrown grass, and brush in the garden and along Kalawao Stream, trimmed back trees, planted red ginger (donated by MLNLC Community Service Chair Dexter Aoki), and planted a few shoots of Hawaiian Sugar Cane.
The RCOP has set a goal of expanding its environmental, sustainable, and green efforts in 2024-2025 with the Kalawao Stream Project with our partners that also brings together RCOP Interact club students with an educational component as they volunteer their time, enhance their leadership skills, and experience the beauty and importance of cultivating a sustainable Hawaiian environment and culture.
Our ultimate RCOP goal in 2024-2025 is to erect Rotary International Peace Poles at each of our projects. Upon approval, we are planning to place a Rotary Club of Pearlridge Peace Pole under Principal De Lude’s direction and guidance at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School (Cross Academy). It will be quite an honor to make that dream come true while representing the spirit of PEACE throughout mankind.
Mahalo to Principal and RCOP Youth Services Chair Clarence De Lude and fellow RCOP member and Past District Governor/Past President Dick Mosko who I had the honor of volunteering with and alongside Mana Loa Nimitz Lions Club community volunteers led by Dexter Aoki.
ROTARY – SERVICE ABOVE SELF
LIONS – WE SERVE
Photos by Barry Villamil
