Keeping Hawai`i clean,
green, and beautiful since 1912
THE OUTDOOR CIRCLE
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • History of TOC
    • Board of Directors
    • Ways to Give
    • Donate Now
    • Give Beyond Your Years
    • Volunteer
    • Newsletters >
      • The Greenleaf
      • North Shore Outdoor Circle
      • Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle
      • Waimea Outdoor Circle
      • Greater Waikiki Outdoor Circle
    • TOC In The News
    • The Online Circle - Environmental Education Blog
    • Resources >
      • Plant Resources
      • Tree Information
      • Signage
      • Development Plans
      • Events
      • Current Issues >
        • Light Pollution
      • Environmental Headlines
    • Report a Problem
    • Contact
  • TOC Policy Positions
  • Membership
  • Branches
    • Branches
    • East Hawaii Island
    • East Honolulu
    • Kaneohe
    • Kauai
    • Kona
    • Lani-Kailua
    • Manoa
    • North Shore
    • Waikiki
    • Waikoloa
    • Waimea >
      • Waimea Nature Park Images
  • Trees
    • Tree Information
    • Exceptional Trees >
      • How to Nominate an Exceptional Tree
      • Exceptional Tree Map
      • Exceptional Tree Library >
        • Bibliography/Sources
      • Exceptional Tree Gallery
      • Tree Mapping - Get Involved!
    • Exceptional Tree Map
    • Kailua Citizen Forester Program
    • Trees of Greater Waikiki
    • Tree Reviews & Inquiries
    • Report a Problem
  • Signage
    • Signage
    • Report a Problem
  • Programs
    • Exceptional Tree Map >
      • Exceptional Tree Library >
        • Bibliography/Sources
      • Exceptional Tree Gallery
    • Carbon Neutrality Challenge
    • Google Trekker
    • Kailua Citizen Forester Program
    • Trees of Greater Waikiki
  • Christine Snyder
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • History of TOC
    • Board of Directors
    • Ways to Give
    • Donate Now
    • Give Beyond Your Years
    • Volunteer
    • Newsletters >
      • The Greenleaf
      • North Shore Outdoor Circle
      • Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle
      • Waimea Outdoor Circle
      • Greater Waikiki Outdoor Circle
    • TOC In The News
    • The Online Circle - Environmental Education Blog
    • Resources >
      • Plant Resources
      • Tree Information
      • Signage
      • Development Plans
      • Events
      • Current Issues >
        • Light Pollution
      • Environmental Headlines
    • Report a Problem
    • Contact
  • TOC Policy Positions
  • Membership
  • Branches
    • Branches
    • East Hawaii Island
    • East Honolulu
    • Kaneohe
    • Kauai
    • Kona
    • Lani-Kailua
    • Manoa
    • North Shore
    • Waikiki
    • Waikoloa
    • Waimea >
      • Waimea Nature Park Images
  • Trees
    • Tree Information
    • Exceptional Trees >
      • How to Nominate an Exceptional Tree
      • Exceptional Tree Map
      • Exceptional Tree Library >
        • Bibliography/Sources
      • Exceptional Tree Gallery
      • Tree Mapping - Get Involved!
    • Exceptional Tree Map
    • Kailua Citizen Forester Program
    • Trees of Greater Waikiki
    • Tree Reviews & Inquiries
    • Report a Problem
  • Signage
    • Signage
    • Report a Problem
  • Programs
    • Exceptional Tree Map >
      • Exceptional Tree Library >
        • Bibliography/Sources
      • Exceptional Tree Gallery
    • Carbon Neutrality Challenge
    • Google Trekker
    • Kailua Citizen Forester Program
    • Trees of Greater Waikiki
  • Christine Snyder

Manoa Branch

9/24/2021

 
Pandemic Pivot  ​
Picture
Rendering of UH Atherton Redevelopment Project
In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu gently guides, “Whatever is flexible and flowing will tend to grow; whatever is rigid and blocked will wither and die.” Seemingly inspired by the ancient Chinese wisdom, the Mānoa Branch of The Outdoor Circle had to make strategic changes as Honolulu went back into a lockdown and “safer at home” orders. Wishing they could revel in the success of the 1,000 Tree Giveaway in July 2020, and saddened that the invasive vegetation removal days at Kamānele Park had to be canceled, the Mānoa board members voted to focus attention on other meaningful projects that would benefit the community.

Over the course of many months, the Mānoa Branch collaborated with the consultants of the UH Atherton redevelopment project, Lori Lum of Watanabe Ing and Mike Lam of Hunt Companies, reviewing the landscaping plans. Via Zoom meetings, the board members, as well as the TOC Executive Director Winston Welch and Operations Director Jackie Wah, offered numerous suggestions for improvement. The consulting team genuinely listened and incorporated the necessary changes in the plan revisions. It was a positive experience to be involved with the planning process, and the Mānoa Branch is very excited to see the project completed in the next couple of years.

Another significant pandemic pivot for the Mānoa Branch has been partnering virtually with nine other local nonprofit community organizations to form a coalition called the “Mānoa Stakeholders.” The powerhouse group includes Be Ready Mānoa, Mānoa Chinese Cemetery, Mānoa Heritage Center, Mānoa Japanese Language School, Mānoa Lions Club, Mālama Mānoa, Mānoa Neighborhood Board, Mānoa Valley Church and Mānoa Valley Theater.

With the ambitious goal of community synergy, the first project was working together on a comprehensive community needs assessment survey. Faith Rex of SMS Consulting is facilitating the group to ensure the proper methodology of the confidential online survey, and the data was collected in aggregate for the various organizations to use the information in their strategic planning to better serve the community. The Mānoa board members are interested in the answers to their important environmental-minded questions since the results will shape their post-pandemic decision making.

​
Vanessa Distajo, Vice President, Manoa Branch

Kamānele Park Clean-Up
Picture
Picture
Thank you to our Secretary, Jackie Osumi, and her boyfriend, Jeren Nishimoto, for joining me to volunteer at Kamānele Park on July 24, 2021. We had fourteen volunteers, including an archaeologist from OASES, participate in the invasive vegetation removal at the heiau site. It was an ideal, collaborative service project because we had volunteers representing various organizations including Mānoa Outdoor Circle, Mālama Mānoa, Blue Zones Project 4M, and the Army National Guard. Council Member Calvin Say and the City officials in charge of the Adopt-a-Park Program even came out to join us for a while.

In two hours, we filled 25 bags of green waste, each weighing about 20 pounds. Also, we were able to stack up a large number of dead branches that we had found on the ground throughout the site. It was a very productive day! Imua!

​
Mahalo nui loa for your support!

Picture

Kānewai Community Park Clean-Up
Picture
Picture
Picture
Fourteen people of all ages volunteered at Kānewai Community Park on August 21, 2021, to pick up litter. Special thanks to everyone who helped, including our Mānoa Outdoor Circle board members Jackie Osumi and Gerry Ralston. I really appreciate them making time on a Saturday morning to join me at the park clean up.
​
Mālama pono,
Vanessa Distajo, Vice President, Manoa Branch

For more information about the Manoa Outdoor Circle, please check their website at: 
Manoa Outdoor Circle.

Comments are closed.

    Welina! 

    Greenleaf is the online newsletter and blog of The Outdoor Circle. Here you will find updates on the projects and accomplishments of our many branches throughout the state, as well as programs with statewide impact.  

    Like what you see?! Become a member and help keep this 100-year-old organization going strong. 

    Support this work now and for generations to come with a donation -- online by clicking here or in the mail to 1314 S. King St. #306 Honolulu 96814.  Your donation supports the work of all our branches, as well as our statewide office. 

    Archives

    November 2021
    September 2021
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2018
    October 2017
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    August 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories

    All
    Advocacy
    Announcements
    Billboard Ban
    Clean Ups
    Clean-ups
    Climate Change
    Coco Palm
    DLNR
    East Honolulu Branch
    Environmental Court
    Events
    Exceptional Tree Initiative
    Exceptional Tree Initiative
    Greenleaf Feb 2014
    Greenleaf Jan 2014
    Greenleaf May 2014
    Greenleaf Newsletter
    Greenleaf Spring 2014
    Greenleaf Spring 2014
    Hong Kong Orchid
    Invasive Species
    Kaneohe Branch
    Lani Kailua Branch
    Lani-kailua Branch
    Mahalo Donors
    Manoa Branch
    Members
    News Articles
    North Shore Branch
    President's Message
    Public Parks
    TOC Branches
    TOC History
    Trees
    Urban Planning
    Volunteers
    Waikoloa Village Branch
    Waimea Branch
    Waimea Branch

    RSS Feed


All information on this website is the property of The Outdoor Circle and may not be used without written consent.
Copyright © 2022 The Outdoor Circle. All Rights Reserved.
The Outdoor Circle
1314 South King Street, Suite 306
Honolulu, HI 96814
Tel: 808-593-0300
mail@outdoorcircle.org