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The HPU Men’s Basketball team recently volunteered to have a work day at the He‘eia Fish Pond near Kane‘ohe. The student-athletes and coaches assisted in the ongoing restoration of the 800-year-old cultural relic. The squad planted kalo (taro) and fertilized it with seaweed from the pond. The team also helped remove invasive mangrove trees from an overgrown area and re-establish a previous ‘auwai that feeds fresh water into the pond.
The day began with an oli and a blessing, then concluded with a tour and an educational presentation to better understand ancient Hawai‘i and the importance of preserving cultural and natural resources. Associate Head Coach Jesse Nakanishi set up the event. When asked about the day, Head Coach Darren Vorderbruegge commented, “This is a valuable experience for the young men on our team, an opportunity they would not get anywhere else. As Hawai‘i residents, we place a high significance on teaching our student-athletes to respect our ‘aina. Coach Nak does a terrific job of coordinating ways for us to ‘give back’ and learn from our community.”
