By Barry Villamil | President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge
I would like to extend a very special mahalo to the Pearl City High School Interact Club led by President Tazekiel Gaoteote and Advisor Mr. Dane Souza who joined members of the Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) on Saturday to clean and beautify a portion of the Pearl Harbor Bike Trail and Pearl Harbor shoreline in Aiea and Pearl City.
The clean-up was part of the Rotary Club of Pearlridge monthly sustainable and environmental, “green commitment” to caring for the aina in both the Pearl City and Aiea communities. The RCOP has a strong bond and unique partnership in support of its environmental volunteer efforts and initiatives for 2024-2025 that includes our four RCOP Interact clubs, as well as community organizations who volunteer their time, and corporate partners who also volunteer their time in the community as well as provide annual financial support.
On Saturday, PCHS Interact club and RCOP community volunteers gathered at Puuloa Springs located between the Pearl Harbor Bike Trail and Pearl Harbor Shoreline near Blaisdell Park in Aiea/Pearl City at around 7:30am. We set out in teams of two to pick up rubbish along the bike path and shoreline that stretched as far as the Hawaiian Electric Waiau Power Plant to the Peace Bell located in Blaisdell Park and bike trail bridge near Cutter Ford.
Volunteers filled fourteen bags of rubbish and made an impactful, environmental difference while beautifying the area. Bike trail users and neighbors expressed their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation towards the volunteers which inspired us all to continue to make a difference in the lives we touch as community volunteers.
Saturday was our first community volunteer project with the PCHS Interact Club class of 2024-2025 which has doubled to over seventy members this year. Mahalo to the twenty-three PCHS Interact members, along with PCHS Interact Advisor Mr. Dane Souza who were available to volunteer on Saturday. Also, mahalo to RCOP community volunteers Dick Mosko, Rick Lau, and Tim and Terri Mehlhorn who I had the honor of volunteering alongside at the clean-up.
The early Saturday morning clean-up ended at 8:30am followed by refreshing treats of chilled bottles of water, popsicles, ice cream bars, and ono pastry and donuts provided by Dick Mosko and the RCOP.
Service Above Self
Photos by Barry Villamil
