DEE LARSEN, Environmental Hero 2003 Ahupuaa Restoration Project in Kihei, Maui. Jason Schwartz follows Dee around her project in Kihei, restoring native plants and beach restoration
Summary & Transcript
The video centers around environmental restoration efforts in Maui, particularly focused on combating the invasive mangrove tree problem in Kihei and surrounding wetland areas. Jason Schwarz introduces Dee. Larson, a dedicated local environmentalist and community leader who has been actively working for over a decade to remove mangroves and other invasive species that threaten native ecosystems. The narrative highlights the ecological damage caused by unchecked mangrove growth, including the destruction of wetlands, harm to native plant species, and disruption of seabird nesting habitats. Larson and her team, supported by volunteers and some local organizations like Betsiil Brothers and the Mama Maui Arts and Music Association, have been clearing mangroves manually and with machinery, gradually restoring native vegetation such as akiaki grass and improving water flow in wetlands and fishponds.
The video also touches on the challenges of maintaining these restoration projects, emphasizing the need for continuous community participation and volunteer coordination. Larson discusses the importance of education and hands-on experience, as embodied by her nonprofit Akiki Oa Echo Village, which aims to foster environmental stewardship through a living learning laboratory concept. The video concludes by acknowledging the hard work and passion of local environmental warriors, stressing that sustained effort and collective action are essential to preserve Maui’s natural beauty and ecological balance.
Highlights
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[03:12] ? Introduction to Dee. Larson, a community environmental champion working on mangrove removal in Ke‘ī.
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[05:22] ? Explanation of how mangroves spread rapidly, choking out native plants and wetlands.
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[07:27] ⚠️ Description of the wetland area’s degradation due to unchecked mangrove growth, posing risks to infrastructure.
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[12:00] ? Community volunteer efforts, including youth groups like the Huimālama Learning Center and Boy Scouts, helping with mangrove removal.
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[15:19] ? Restoration progress with native grasses replacing invasive species and large-scale removal of mangroves.
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[21:21] ? Introduction of ECO- Village nonprofit focused on environmental education and hands-on learning.
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[26:16] ? Emphasis on the importance of local “environmental warriors” and ongoing community involvement.
Key Insights
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[04:29] ? Mangrove Invasion and Ecological Impact: Mangroves, although a single species, form dense groves that outcompete native plants by blocking sunlight and altering wetlands. Their rapid spread can quickly transform entire ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity and disruption of native wildlife habitats, particularly affecting ground-nesting seabirds. This invasive species issue is a clear example of how non-native plants can destabilize delicate island ecosystems.
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[07:27] ? Wetland Degradation and Infrastructure Risks: The unchecked growth of mangroves in wetlands not only harms the environment but also threatens human infrastructure. The video highlights concerns such as the mangroves raising sand and sediment levels, which can undermine roads and bridges, and potentially increase flooding risks. This underscores the intersection of ecological health and community safety, illustrating why environmental restoration is critical beyond just preserving nature.
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[10:19] ?ﾸﾏ Resource-Intensive Restoration Efforts: Removing mangroves is labor-intensive and requires both manual labor and heavy machinery. While volunteers play a vital role, large-scale removal demands equipment and funding, pointing to the need for organized community efforts combined with governmental support. This suggests that environmental work is not just a grassroots activity but also requires institutional backing and resource allocation.
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[12:00] ?￢ﾀﾍ?￢ﾀﾍ? Community and Youth Engagement: The involvement of local youth groups such as the Huimālama Learning Center and Boy Scouts demonstrates how educational institutions and community organizations foster stewardship and provide valuable manpower for restoration projects. This engagement also helps cultivate a new generation of environmental caretakers, ensuring the sustainability of these efforts over time.
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[16:02] ⏳ Long-Term Maintenance is Essential: Clearing invasive species is only the first step; ongoing maintenance including weed control and monitoring is necessary to prevent re-infestation and allow native ecosystems to thrive. This highlights the slow, patient nature of ecological restoration, which requires sustained commitment rather than quick fixes.
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[21:21] ? Environmental Education as a Foundation: Akiki Oa Echo Village represents a model that integrates education with environmental action. By creating a living learning laboratory, the nonprofit fosters experiential learning where participants gain practical knowledge of conservation while directly contributing to restoration. This approach builds community capacity and encourages lifelong environmental responsibility.
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[26:16] ? The Role of Environmental “Warriors”: The video emphasizes the importance of dedicated individuals who champion conservation efforts despite challenges. These environmental warriors serve as leaders and inspirations, bridging gaps between government, community, and nature. Their passion and resilience are crucial for facing modern pressures of urbanization and ecological degradation on islands like Maui.
The video effectively communicates the complex challenges and rewarding outcomes of ecological restoration work, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration, education, and persistent effort to protect vulnerable island environments.
Transcript
Aloha this is Jason Schwartz of Mama Maui Arts and Music Association Deeeeream Makers Foundation we also known as Papa people aligned in positive action sometimes we do shows about
03:12
different people in the community that have been leaders in making a change in environmental uh projects and places that have been beautiful and natural that have been abused by man uh this one’s in keii and uh Deeee Larson is our Champion here you know we did a show in kaha and showed how Mike Perry who was the volunteer of the year for the community workday program uh and his crew of volunteers cleared out a beautiful area of kanaha bringing back the natural plants and allowing things to grow by doing a selective weeding and
03:51
pairing and uh to see the accomplishments they made Deeee is here today to share with us about the changes that she’s made in different areas of kii and areas that still need to be worked on we’re looking at one right now that needs to be worked on but this really is interesting isn’t that beautiful area nevertheless here’s a pile of man there are the cutting behind it’s very interesting what happens when uh people come in and poach and leave things in such a raw way you know I wonder what that is looks like a
04:29
tunnel no no I think it’s part of a muffler what are we looking at Deeeee um those are mangrove Roots hanging from that looks like a trees so there’s a mangrove tree yes Mangrove actually is kind of deceptive when people hear the word Mangrove it’s not singular it’s one tree however it perpetuates itself that it becomes a Grove so consequently they made this one tree mro oh and this is this is how prolific it is if you’ll notice as we the shoot as we go through you can see a mang that’s gone out of
05:22
control look at those roots those look like see we took that whole Forest a whole Forest my goodness see all these here yeah show me these are the cies look at this this is just a little old seed pod that drops from the tree yeah and starts perpetuating it sou see right in here we’ve got more little mangroves going little baby mangroves yeah and then they’ll make I you more Roots like these could these be taken and put into pots oh please I’m asking no you don’t want to uh perpetuate them in the
06:03
Hawaiian Islands okay look at this Le through here with me okay let’s walk on through you really can’t what a waste of area you bet and also it kills the en the natural environment the birds um especially your your most of your seabirds are uh nesters ground nesters and you can see as we proceed through here and grow underneath it because there it blocks out all the Sun how does this all get started who planted these people hundreds of years ago this to this size grew 10 years ago it wasn’t this to this
06:55
extent it’s it’s something that she’s got to get on right away let’s just keep on walking here so this is an area where water is sitting this is the Wetland here in Kei near laoa didn’t they work on this area this is what was left of that whole thing when they fixed kii Road huh yes but they didn’t address The Mangrove tree here I see that it’s look at that adjusting the Waterway it’ll revert the Stream So what that’s what this is this is Stu by they’re moving the stream and
07:27
drying this up this area is getting mango Grove this could be a great Park this would be a beautiful Park if it was cleaned out what kind of things happen in here this is um under an executive order by the state to the county of Maui this land this is a wet land that has just gone out of control if you keep letting the mangrove grow and not um not jump on it and take care of it now at this point it’ll raise cement it’ll raise sand it’ll raise puming it grow right up the toilets wow raise the
08:02
highway this is a treacherous plant that’s why it kicks over in the to because it uh essentially just becomes a dominant plant and around it okay well let’s get out of here okay this area has to be really looked at and worked on are you working on this area at all yet uh I started on this area over 10 years ago okay well it seems like it’s out of control you need a squad people volunteers uh you know down here in keii down here in keii I bet we could find a lot of volunteers that are physically
08:38
fit and able and would take good instruction I’m sure that if this was coordinated so that um um things can happen where everyone understands what’s going on this area can really be cleaned up quickly and and easily you’ve been working on this a long time well let me uh say I I think that people need to know who you are you know because you are the story here Deeee this is project of Mangrove is one of many that I know you’ve been working on for years I want to see the work that you’re doing up
09:09
there in the north Ki I remember when we started in shot video of a place that was really wild and raw and lot of non-native plants had taken over through man uh making quote unwise choices choices that didn’t show that they were aware of what they were doing and uh I know you’ve been a consultant in that area working across this island the area that we’re working in excuse me is Kono ULU ke Road in other words it’s between the Maui L and the whale Sanctuary that’s primarily the target area that
09:45
we’re working on including the fish ponds working with the fish pond here you the reason we’re here today is because uh you see that one as really being well underway and this looks like your next one huh um not exactly uh actually we’re here today to show the devastation we took out mangrove trees down there where we’re headed after this shot and uh there’s also mangroves growing up in there this is to give the people an idea what will happen to Mangrove if you let it go this is going
10:19
to cost thousands upon thousands of dollars yes you can have volunteers but it’s going to take more than volunteers and take this out this is get is demanding of heavy equipment wow and this is our County lands this belongs to the county well I tell you the people that live here probably think thank God there’s a buffer so we don’t want to see it uh turned into something that becomes too much of a playground and ties them into the other side of this land so it’s going to be an interesting time to see how this can be
10:54
developed you especially with the limited budgets that’s why I like the idea of volunteers Mike Perry has done a masterful job I think that the work that he did with with his people with his own energy and time and you know if we had a little bit of money to pay people even in a minimal way with drinks and a t-shirt I bet we’d get a really Hardy crew imagine the county could handle uh ideas about a blanket of insurance and watching and training the people and making people aware of what plants and
11:23
what’s going on but I was so impressed and I’m impressed with all the work You’ done I’d like to go there and now I see think that people get this this is crazy isn’t it it’s heav have a stream that we just cleaned up down near Kona ULU so is this the one that’s right across the street right to the left here is the Maui L and there’s a housing development in the far distance correct okay it’s through the graciousness of vetel brothers that we were able to do do this this is taking
12:00
out Mangrove the first time we took out Mangrove we did it with Machinery okay the second time we did it by hand well we’re going to be going seeing what’s this this is a these are the boys from huim malama Learning Center that uh came over to help out the more the same these are the kids and look at that yeah and this is after Mike Perry got in there and killed the pickle weed and I planted Mike Perry we know Mike Perry and what’s this and this is uh the maai side of the same stream I remember that is that yes
12:30
this is the way the stream looks more now actually it’s more beautiful well we’re going to see that in a minute right there’s the master exterminator M right I guess he should run for governor as the Exterminator really really no kidding it and then here is some the Boy Scouts yeah of troop 22 of you take another Mangrove out right there you know Deeee I remember when this area was all filled with things that weren’t you guys have planted just some starts of akiaki grass and it really is taken
14:34
on and cleared out the mangrove there in the distance and it up here that’s a tremendous amount of work was it betel Brothers labor or mixed of volunteers no This was um bet this is betel brothers land and it’s um people in the Ohana that have helped but it’s principally um Cliff Cliff Dodge over here on this side section principally Anna Palamino um uh Mike Perry hi everybody well we’re down here to the area where we’ve been doing extensive work the last three years over on the South Side are the dunes that
15:19
we’ve been working pretty hard in and taking out all this pickle weed in the back there is more Mangrove and plua and kavi that has to be addressed very soon and if we look here to the north there’s Dunes that have been cleared out so the akiaki can take over and down here two huge mangroves were taken out that makes a difference the mango really takes over an area like we just saw this is bringing this area back to life it’s [Music] [Applause] fantastic it’s slow patient work it’s not the kind of work that all you
16:02
can just snap your fingers and it’s done it you know I’ve seen some of these areas when they’ve been first uh cleared and they look like someone came in with an atomic bomb but by maintenance and weed control and letting the things that are natural grow and watching and maintaining that fantastic things can happen and this is a great example exactly that’s great I’m so glad that you’re doing this we need people aligned in positive action private citizens who take it upon themselves to
16:35
realize that it’s only through our own actions that everyone takes some time to be involved that we’re able to actually preserve and resurrect our Island’s beauty that so well fits in with our theme and what we want to be doing well thank you very much for sharing but here we are this is the end of the mangrove taking out the mangrove tree from here was really a lot of work but wow I can see the area is so different and this park is now expanded what the oh some of the hardest work I’ve ever done in my
17:12
life and I’ve done hard work uh all during my life at different periods this stuff is so heavy this wood is so heavy and then to drag it and plus um to pull it out of the water we’re going to keep chopping this down chopping it down in the meantime too we have to look out for new seed pots that are starting up like maybe right over there might be one uhhuh let me go [Applause] see it’s some more mangr there she blow there she blow well you know Mike Perry’s running for governor as the ex Terminator what
18:00
are you going to be as I think you should be lieutenant governor I think I just rather just stay simple Deeee lson well you know I think that that’s the best idea for you and Mike and for most of us here but to be able to give in see here’s the way the seats looks yeah you know it’s so great to see private citizens like you enjoying this you know they just look so innocent but they’re not and now what kind of what is this here this is aaked that we’re taking out pickle weed this comes out that’s right
18:35
all this stuff in the front right here oh yeah and what about in the distance also oh this is all coming out and this will be eventually Dooms that’s what Dom oh so this has just come over and taking over The Dune exactly wow what fantastic work to bring back the dunes and plus not the Dunes hotel I don’t you think you mean no way Jose anyway what’s that in the distance that pacific whale Sanctuary it is that’s the other extent of this land huh the streem Pono in Balance so uh everything goes in and out
19:11
and can feed the fish ponds and propagate our native our native fish it’s so beautiful here I think you know we you know the Sunday Morning Show that used to be on with Charles corol where he shows nature I think we should give him a little piece of nature let’s give him a piece of nature this is for you Maui check the sand out so beautiful coming back get this out in the wh sctu they’re doing their part over the part of the land so it’s wonderful sure is it’s nice to see this
19:51
that’s what cooperation is all about pickle weed took over that stuff is up to your waist wow so these are really wow cleared out the kave through here yeah I can see look at that kave more to go huh but this is great there’s still a lot more work to be done there’s a lot of rubbish here that has to be taken out took out tons of rubbish in this area the Palm ponds uh the coconut palms and the Coconuts and uh also there were mattresses you know people were living down here I know and um remnants of uh
20:35
poor caretaking let’s say let’s put it that way anyway we’ve cleared it up and now it’s up to us to keep it clean for everyone it’s beautiful for everyone to keep it C and right everyone to keep it clean Hi Deeee hi hi Jason so uh you know this project you’ve been working on has really been a success and the success is that people are still working on it and still care about this area to see people that are here and enjoying this area is truly a product of all the work and dedication that comes from
21:21
individuals like you you know that so what is the name of your group and share with me about some of their goals would you uh sure no problem a Kiki OA Echo Village is a nonprofit uh preschool even we don’t have the structures yet but the concept is to take care of the lands to um to propagate knowledge through education with hands-on experience and that’s why this area we’re so blessed with having a living learning laboratory yeah this is very close to my heart life work stuff started out way
22:06
back in the 60s first project was honolua Bay save the bay SOS save our search that’s work originated from Rick picked up on it between Rick myself my daughter and a gentleman by the name of Malcolm gray were able to uh get things moving and princi with the knowledge and the wisdom of Rick we were able to put it into conservation the same uh undercurrent really is here is just the love of the AA and uh keeping things in balance as possible I’m I’m learning all
22:47
the time uh I’ll always be learned till the day I kick the bucket this work has been intense however it’s needed and I have the passion and so do the people that right along beside me do you need more people sure we can always use people I don’t want to spend time um so much I need to be working all the time so it’s people that really don’t mind work it’s hard work I guess people can put in a Saturday or half a day I know there’s probably couple hours yeah I I watched
23:21
and saw when I was talking with Mike I used him as a good example Mike he did part-time people people that were in a group said hey you know our team our softball team can spend an afternoon and we can hit it out of the park we can spend some time helping develop something that would be nice so it’s like different groups have been getting together and doing things it’s really been nice to see and tremendous amounts of work get done in such good spirit it’s great it is it’s really fun uh we
23:51
had the community work day here of course that good old Jan dapitan Jan – she’s my hero she is my ditto kiddo ditto kiddo yeah Jan’s quite the Dame and uh this a community cleanup uh we had volunteers come down here um mother and her daughter um they just really enjoyed themselves spending the afternoon to and also another uh friend came down and just um helped out bagging all these uh weeds and put had you I think it was 18 bags of weed that we uh weeds that pack that day anyway it’s
24:31
hard it’s hard work but it’s the greatest work you’re working with Mother Nature and um I’ve said it before it’s a natural high and if uh it’s also a wonderful exercise if uh you don’t even have to go to the gym you can just work out picking weeds and it’ll do the job I think we should get the gym gyms to organized groups you know that’s what papa is you see we’re we’re a concept more than our group we’re so glad to have kioka is that what it is correct
25:04
Eco- Village that means Children of the land huh correct that’s a really nice thing I want to thank you from all the people of Maui County and the world because the work that you do is able to share this beautiful place with the full intention and the way God planned it a beautiful natural Dune and um you know I’m just really thankful for people like you thank you Deeee lson oh you’re more than welcome thank you mie at this Junction I’d also like to uh mention the president of our board
25:42
Leilani is oh good we’ll get the information from Leilani up also I bet she’s got information to share with people she has all the electrical uh all the computers and on the email and all that sort of thing besides all the knowledge of the uh project as we’ve gone along well I really feel you’ve been an inspirational leader you’ve been on this Eco Village thing for a good long while and the world has grown up around us hasn’t it de boy it sure has modern civilization is so it surely
26:16
encompassing encompassing us all which makes the work that you’re doing and with your group just so much more important because the little bit that’s been saved is because of valuable Warriors you know Warriors like you thank you aloha
