Week Three: Na Ala Hele

Our second week of work was spent with Na Ala Hele, a trail maintenance group working under the DLNR. Compared to our first week of work in Waikamoi there were some major differences in our purpose for being there. Monday and Tuesday were spent on the Lahaina Pali trail where we cleared loose rocks from the path to lessen the chance of hikers getting injured. Safety is important after all! Thought the trail was long and the work was tedious, the beautiful view was definitely worth it.

The next two days were spent working in the Kula Forest Reserve, a complete different site all way on another mountain. We went through with our different tools to clear the Waiakoa trail, sloping the hills to prevent slides and brushing off built off dirt that might cause major run-offs. We went in thinking that it would be relatively the same thing as the past two days, just a different climate. Though it was much more than that; because of some erosion on a certain section of the trail we had a new mission-to build the path back up. Two of our site managers, Matt and Claude, got to work with their chainsaws and began cutting up eucalyptus trees while the rest of us began pounding them into the ground. After a long day of work we were able to stand back and admire our magnificent trail building skills. After pounding the cut wood into the ground we reinforced them and filled the large gaps with dirt. Thus, our trail was complete and more team bonding had ensued.

Friday, our last day, was spent clearing a trail at the Makawao Forest Reserve. Though it wasn't as exciting as building a trail, the 6 mile hike through the forest did have its rewards. The second week of work allowed our team to getting to know each other better, though we all weren't best friends with each other, we were slowly getting comfortable.

'Oluwalu Cultural Reserve: Our First Camping Trip

Our third week of working together was spent camping at the 'Oluwalu Cultural Reserve. After only knowing each other for three short weeks we were put together with the Maui Team A (aka Maui Souljahz). This week was spent in the lo'i, doing various things like weeding and clearing the patches. We also pulled the taro out, cleaned it and eventually made a batch of delicious poi. After preparing the patches we planted the huli as well.

Oh, and the girls had a mud fight.

There were definitely loads of laughs and a myriad of memorable moments made at this camp. But another aspect that really made this first camping trip amazing was that we all began to open up to each other. Before we were all a bit afraid or maybe a little shy to show the weird sides of ourselves. But this camping trip kind of forced it out occasionally and that mud fight is something the girls will not forget easily.

The First Week: Breaking The Ice

As I drove up to the airport I didn't know what to expect: Would we get along? Would I not fit in? How would I get to know them? - Jong Choi

First day jitters: we all had them. No one knew what to expect. We hadn't got the chance to talk to each other, and time was running short as we all arrived at the airport. We had all arrived at the airport, we glanced at each other every chance we could: hoping to find out what type of people we would have to spend our entire summer with. We all exchanged some smiles, and a few informal greetings. After a couple hours waiting in the airports, and riding in the plane, we have this to remember:

No we didn't want to stand that close to each other, we were forced! Most of us didn't even remember half of the our names! But that was alright, right? After a one hour bus ride of ingratiating on the way to camp, we "sorta" knew each other: first name, school, age. That sort of stuff. For the first few days of our stay at the camp, we played a few games to get us more acquainted with each other. Yeah that's right, those dumb, childish games! But hey, they had us feeling more connected:

Well with those silly, baby games out of the way, we face the REAL challenges: The high ropes course! We were all intimidated, but our great teamwork and our incredibly quick bonding was what really got us through!

And finally, the epitome of our teamwork structure: our flag! We worked together, throwing in all our ideas (no matter how silly they might have sounded!). And sure enough, because of all of our team member's great dynamics, we had THE BEST FLAG!!!1one1

Our first week together has definitely exceeded what anyone could think 11 random people could achieve. We not only feel an outward bond with each other, but we are beginning to feel as if we are internally connected. We all trust each other, and know each other in a unspeakably, profound sense.

I personally can't wait for what is in store for us together throughout the duration of this summer, and I am sure everyone else feels the same way. I am proud to be a part of Maui No Ka Oi - HYCC - Summer 2011!

- Kieran Bhattacharya

Waikamoi Preserve: Our First Step into our Journey :)

During our 1st week of work we went to the fantastic Waikamoi Preserve. I was anxious and scared because it was our 1st week of work and I really didn't know what to expect. After the camp we had on Oahu I felt a little closer to our team, but I still didn't feel a strong bond.

Since the Waikamoi Preserve is really far from where everyone lives, we decided to meet at Wal-Mart. Going to the Waikamoi Preserve in the huge white van was super fun. From the car rides we learned more about each other and listened to music that everyone liked to listen to. There was a DJ machine thing that actually let you put in some beats and cool sounds to the song that was playing. We were jammin out to the music. :)

Our first day of work involved hiking up a trail about 1.5 miles. We met Pat Biley who was in charge of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and he seemed really mellow and relaxed. I was happy that we got someone nice for our first week of working. We did an oli of entrance and we gave leis to the gods to help us protect the land and to accept us for what we are doing. Pat showed our group the evil nasty plant we had to pick. It was the evil Kahili Ginger that wasn't native and was only given a Hawaiian name just cause. It was an invasive species that was brought by immigrants from New Zealand. We worked with partners in picking out these evil monsters using our pickaxe and our clippers. After work we had a lunch break. My Tuna Sandwich tasted like Steak from Outback because of the work we had accomplished.

After we repeated this cycle for the next two days, we went to somewhere new which was a boardwalk to view the different birds as well as the native plants. We went during bad weather so it was pouring with drops of water from the sky. The trees were so clear in my eyes and it was so beautiful. We cleared the trail so that no one would fall while walking the trail. At first I thought we would never be able to finish work because there were so many thorny plants and weeds. However, when work was finished I could see the change we had done to the trail and how much work we had accomplished with teamwork.

On our last two days of work we had to plant some native Hawaiian mints that we had gotten from one of Pat's friends. We got to visit her garden of beautiful plants such as the hybrid Silversword. I felt so emotional when seeing all the native plants because I could still see hope in Hawaii. Our whole team felt so happy while planting because we felt like we were making a small change to our environment. Although it was a small change it would slowly build up and make a huge impact in our environment.

We thanked Pat for giving us an opportunity to make a change as well as showing us what true native plants and trees were. Personally at first I thought the week would go so slow and it would just be intense labor that I wouldn't enjoy at all. However I thought the week went by so quickly and I just enjoyed every second I had with the Waikamoi Preserve. I learned so much from this week such as telling the difference between a Lehua and a Koa tree and how to pick Kahili Ginger the proper way.

As I look at our week overall I felt that our team bonded way more than what we had in the beginning of the week. We're all family now and we all added each other on Facebook :). Yay we're facebook official. We all know each other well now and nobody is shy around anyone anymore. Haha. Maui No Ka Oi is the best team ever. Chee Whooo!

- Jong Choi :D