Manoa Branch

Pandemic Pivot  ​

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

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!

---

Kānewai Community Park Clean-Up

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.