FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 October 19, 2006

CITY SUPPORTS COMMUNITY CLEANUP PROJECTS IN MAKIKI, KALIHI

            The City and County of Honolulu invites the public to participate in four Adopt-a-Stream projects in Makiki and Kalihi that the City is supporting this Saturday, October 21, 2006, as part of national Make A Difference Day.

            The projects are:

·   Kalihi Stream cleanup, 9 to 11 a.m. Meet at School and Amelia streets. Lead group: students from Kamehameha Middle School-Kapalama Campus. Cooperating agencies:  Honolulu Police Department, Weed and Seed, Kuhio Park Terrace, June Fabrics.

·   Makiki Stream cleanup and restoration, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Meet at Kalakaua Avenue and South King streets. Lead group: Makiki Stream Stewards. Cooperating agencies:  Washington Middle School, Jack-In-The-Box, Tesoro, Ala Wai Watershed Association, Kalakaua Homes, State Department of Transportation Highways Division Oahu District, UH Mânoa-DURP, Honolulu Police Department, Weed and Seed, YMCA.

·   Hawaii Nature Center cleanup, 8:30 am to 11 a.m. Meet at Hawaii Nature Center, 2131 Makiki Heights Road. Lead group: Hawaii Nature Center Volunteers.

·   Makiki storm drain stenciling, 8 to 11 a.m. Meet at Makiki District Park. Lead group:  Friends of Della Au Belatti. 

            More than 300 people have already volunteered, including students and their families. Participants will help clean up the environment and give back to the community and their schools.  Volunteers will clean stream beds and banks, remove graffiti, stencil storm drains with the message, “Mai Kiloi Opala, E Malama I Ka Wai Ola or Dump No Waste, Protect Our Waters For Life,” and distribute educational materials on pollution prevention and waste disposal tips.

            Established by USA Weekend magazine and the Points of Light Foundation, Make A Difference Day is the largest national day of volunteer work. This year, it will formally be observed on October 28.

            The City Storm Water Quality Branch will provide trash bags, gloves and “Protect Our Waters … For Life” t-shirts. The City Department of Transportation Services is providing the paints and brushes for graffiti removal at City bus stops, and the Department of Facilities Maintenance and Environmental Services Refuse Division are providing trucks to haul the opala  away.

            Participating volunteers are advised to wear a hat, use sunscreen, and dress to get dirty.  Footwear (covered shoes or rubber boots) and long pants are required for the stream cleanup.  A change of clothes, towel, and rubber slippers are recommended to change into after the day’s work.

-30-

For more information, contact:

· City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services, Iwalani Sato, 429-4112

· Makiki Stream Stewards, 956-7070 or 840-1919

· Kamehameha Middle School-Kapalama Campus, 843-3475 or 843-3476

· Hawaii Nature Center, 955-0100 x18