Wailua volunteers restore Kamokila site in mālama ʻāina work day

On Jan. 17, a community stewardship event at 5519 Kuamoʻo Road drew local volunteers to the former Kamokila Village site in Wailua for a day of mālama ʻāina. Hosted by Pihana Ka ʻIkena in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the Hihiakalāhau: Wailua Work Day ran from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and combined hands-on clearing and cleaning with cultural workshops and a shared lunch.

Organizers structured the day to blend environmental restoration and cultural practice. Volunteers worked on clearing overgrowth and removing debris from historically and culturally significant ʻāina, while workshop sessions provided context about place-based stewardship. Participants were asked to bring water, sunscreen, gloves, hand tools if available, and closed-toe shoes. Parking and shuttle instructions and a registration link were posted on the event page: kauainownews.com/community-calendar/event/k5a6y4u1m8g5p/

The joint nonprofit-government collaboration signals a practical approach to preserving community assets. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s involvement highlights a broader trend of public-private partnerships aimed at maintaining destinations that are economically tied to tourism while ensuring cultural values are upheld for residents. For Kauaʻi, such efforts help protect places that are both local gathering sites and points of interest for visitors, preserving cultural capital that supports the island’s identity and tourism appeal.

From a municipal and fiscal perspective, volunteer stewardship days can lower short-term maintenance costs and reduce the need for emergency remediation by preventing degradation. They also channel visitor engagement into direct support for site upkeep. For residents, the work day offered a concrete way to influence how local ʻāina is cared for, strengthening social ties and community knowledge about Wailua’s cultural landscape.

Practical takeaways from the day reinforce long-term resilience. Regular clearing and community monitoring reduce wildfire and invasive-species risks; cultural education embedded in restoration helps ensure work aligns with traditional practices and local priorities. Events like this can inform county land management decisions by demonstrating community capacity and priorities when public agencies allocate resources or craft stewardship policies.

If you missed the Jan. 17 work day, check the event page for registration details and future opportunities to participate. Continued volunteer involvement will be essential to sustaining Wailua’s cultural sites and keeping stewardship efforts community-led as Kauaʻi navigates the balance between preservation and visitor demand.