Stream Cleaning

On April 20, about two dozen residents of Waimanalo cleaned a half-mile section of Kahawai Stream. All types of debris were pulled out of the stream: bottles, cans, auto parts, construction debris. The stream cleaning was organized by the Waimanalo Watershed Council in conjunction with the City's Adopt a Stream program.

In the past month, members of the Watershed Council have been interviewing individuals and groups who live along the streams and were affected by flooding in the January rain storm. A meeting held March 2, brought many residents together with representatives from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Public Works and other agencies to discuss responsibilities of maintenance. People came away with a better understanding of how others were affected, and willing to work together cooperatively to find solutions.

Usha Prasad, Penny Levin and Gregory Field of the Watershed Council have been talking with residents, individually and in groups, to get a clear picture of the problems in different parts of Waimanalo. If you were affected by flooding in the January storm, please share your experience. On May 4, 9 am at the Waimanalo Library, a brief presentation will outline the problems, probable causes, and possible solutions for members of the community. With added input, this information will be passed on to the various government departments.

Representatives of the government will meet with the community on May 25, 9 am at the Waimanalo Library to work out what needs to be done, and how we will share responsibility to do it.

For more information call 259-9558.

N.O.P.E. to Dope Honored

On April 10, the City Council honored Waimanalo residents for their anti-drug initiative.

Councilmember John Henry Felix read the certificate to the City Council. "N.O.P.E. now serves as an important role model for successful neighborhood anti-drug programs. As Waimanalo residents pull together to fight crime, they also benefit by befriending others in their community as they all stand fast against criminals and troublemakers. Most important, the community sends an unmistakable message to drug dealers and users that their behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. At the same time N.O.P.E. gets the word out that there is help for those individuals."

On hand to receive the certificate were Nani Akeo, Kawahine Kamakea-Ohelo, Mabel Spencer and Gregory Field.

At its April 22 meeting, N.O.P.E. elected Willie Camacho as interim president. A meeting will be held May 1, 7 pm at Pope School, with members of the Honolulu Police Department Community Policing Team to go over guidelines for Neighborhood security watch. The next regular meeting of N.O.P.E. to Dope will be held May 20, 7 pm at Pope School.

Health Fair

The Waimanalo health Center is sponsoring a free Community health Fair, Ola Haloa (the Sustaining of Life) on Saturday May 25, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Waimanalo Health Center. There will also be an Open House to celebrate the Health Center's renovations which include new exam rooms and other remodeled areas.

Many health organizations from around the state will be present to share information on issues affecting many people in our community: the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Castle Hospital, Hawaii Childbirth Education Association, an Huu `O Hi'i of the Family Peace Center. Ho'omau Ke Ola will be sharing information about substance abuse treatment, Papa Ola Lokahi will deal with Hawaiian health issues. There will also be demonstrations of acupuncture and oriental medicine by the Oriental Medicine Institute of Hawaii, fitness experts will show the fun and safe way to exercise, and Pu'u O Waimanalo (Nation of Hawaii) will share their knowledge of kalo and Hawaiian healing herbs.

Entertainment will be provided by Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt and halau, Gabe Nicholas and Friends, Tracy Toguchi (Miss Hawaii 1995), and MC David Daniels, also known as Davy D. from KCCN. There will be school essay and poster contests with prizes, health screening, high blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol testing. There will be hourly drawings for merchandise and gift certificates donated by Waimanalo community businesses, including two round-trip airline tickets to any neighbor island. See the ad on page 13 for details.

Windward O'ahu Community Children's Council

If you have a child in special education and/or who has behavioral problems, or are interested in and working with these children, come to the next meeting to be held at the Waimanalo Health Center, Tuesday May 7, 5:30 pm.

Bellows History

The U.S. Air Force Environmental Restoration Program seeks information about past activities that may have affected the environment at Bellow Air Force Station. The Air Force will use this information to enhance current efforts to identify and cleanup areas contaminated by past activities. The areas of greatest interest are motor pools, maintenance groups, aircraft and vehicle fueling stations, rubbish dumps, and underground storage tanks. Former and current employees and members of the military with knowledge of activities fat Bellows from 1938 to the present are encourage to call William Grannis, Environmental Restoration Program at 449-9073 or send information to: 15 CES/CEVR, 75 H Street, Hickam AFB, Hawaii 96853-5233.