Volunteers clear Morgan’s Ponds of rain debris

WAILUA — More than two dozen volunteers attacked the pile of organic debris Saturday at Morgan’s Ponds in the popular Lydgate Park.

“These were a result of the Wednesday rains,” said Thomas Noyes, of the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park, coordinator of the cleanup. “We’ve got another project coming up on April 20 for Earth Day.”

The cleanup of the popular and lifeguarded Morgan’s Ponds takes place on a weekly basis on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m., coordinated by the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park, but the accumulation from the heavy rains of the past several days necessitated the need for more volunteers.

Noyes activated his email tree, resulting in the extra bodies needed for the rain-generated debris cleanup.

Noyes said once the debris on the shoreline and the floating debris on the water are removed, more volunteers will take to the water using shade cloth to “rake” the bottom in an effort at removing debris which is water-logged and on the bottom.

Volunteers are being sought for a big project at Lydgate Park on April 20 from 7:30 a.m. to noon. The project coincides with Earth Day and volunteers are asked to meet at the main pavilion to “share your aloha by caring for our park,” Noyes said.

Volunteers need to bring water bottle, work gloves, sun protection and sturdy shoes. The Earth Day committee will be providing lunch.

Earth Day, this year being celebrated on April 22, marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park also hosts a National Make a Difference Day project in October.

Call 639-1018 for more information, or to sign up early to be part of this year’s Earth Day observance. Visit www.earthday.org for more information on Earth Day 2013.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.