LIHU‘E — Syngenta Hawai‘i employees teamed up with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to help restore the Mana bird sanctuary, and on another occasion assisted the Kamanawa Foundation to raise funds for a trip for members of
LIHU‘E — Syngenta Hawai‘i employees teamed up with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to help restore the Mana bird sanctuary, and on another occasion assisted the Kamanawa Foundation to raise funds for a trip for members of Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani.
The Mana Bird Sanctuary Wetland restoration project is ongoing, and Syngenta Kaua‘i employees helped out by planting native plants at the Kawaielei Sand Mine near Kekaha, states a Syngenta press release.
In an effort to restore the wetland to the natural breeding grounds it once was, Syngenta employees joined Jason Vercelli of DLNR to help transplant two different native species of plants along the banks of the wetland ponds.
The plants provide a suitable habitat for numerous species of birds and will also prevent future erosion, the release states.
Later also last month, Syngenta employees served over 400 meals at a plate-lunch fundraiser to benefit the Kamanawa Foundation, a cultural organization whose mission is to preserve, promote and perpetuate Hawaiian culture through language, customs, social values and performing arts.
Through the Kamanawa Foundation, these funds will cover expenses to send a group of dancers from halau Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani to participate in the 2010 Hula Oni E competition on O‘ahu, Sept. 16 to Sept. 19.
The Kamanawa Foundation also sponsored the annual Polynesian festival last weekend at the north Vidinha Stadium soccer fields.
“At Syngenta, we emphasize the importance of sustainability, and were honored to have the opportunity to participate in a project that will replenish the wetland’s natural aquaculture,” said Laurie Goodwin, Hawai‘i outreach manager for Syngenta.
“Perpetuating the land as well as the Native Hawaiian culture, we were also pleased to help raise funds for the Kamanawa Foundation, a cause that focuses on preserving Hawaiian traditions,” Goodwin said.
Syngenta has a long history in Hawai‘i, beginning more than 40 years ago with operations in Waimea. Along with a recent land purchase in Kunia on the island of O‘ahu, Syngenta has been expanding its employee base in Hawai‘i to support its growth, she said.
Hawai‘i’s fast-growing seed-crop industry is the state’s biggest farming sector, and generates more than $13.8 million in tax revenues for the state per year.
Syngenta is one of the world’s leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life, the release states.
Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to customers, the company helps increase crop productivity, protects the environment and improves health and quality of life, states the release.
See www.syngenta.com for more information.
