FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             September 25, 2006

LEEWARD STUDENTS CLEAN UP POUHALA MARSH

IN WAIPAHU

            More than 100 students from Waipahu and Campbell high schools will participate in the 2^nd annual Pouhala Marsh Wetland Field Day from 8:30 a.m. to noon on  Tuesday, September 26.

            The field day is intended to have students take ownership of the wetland and for them to realize how important it is for each individual person to do their part.  Lead agencies are the City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services and State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife.  Other cooperating agencies include the Oahu Resource Conservation and Development, Inc., Hawaii Conservation Alliance and the Hawaii Nature Center.

            Waipahu High School teachers Sherry Wakumoto (chemistry), Terry Oshiro (social studies), Deli Oania (English) and Campbell High School teacher Zaricke Jackson (health) are using a multi-disciplinary approach that will connect classroom lessons on the characteristics and benefits of wetlands to other subjects.  Groups of about eight students rotate through four hands-on work stations.  Environmental specialists from each participating agency will demonstrate field activities tailored for these 10^th graders and provide supplies and handouts on water sampling, plant identification, soil assessment and proposed plans for pollution prevention, conservation and restoration. 

            The marsh is located on Waipahu Depot Road, across the Honolulu Police Recruit Academy.

             Other groups, including the Hawaii Nature Center and the Navy are planning stream cleanups and restorations on Make A Difference Day, Saturday, October 28, 2006, 8:30 am to 11:30 am.  For more information, call the City’s Environmental Concern Line at 692-5656 or go to the website at www.cleanwaterhonolulu.com.

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Contact:

              Iwalani Sato, Storm Water Quality Branch community outreach coordinator, 429-4112