OVERVIEW/GOALS/THEME: Bellows Air Force Station (BAFS) proposes multiple in-person events to engage
volunteers and learn about local natural and cultural resources. The overarching goal of the projects is to
mālama (take care of) the land. Environmental stewardship is a key component of the BAFS mission. The
proposed projects strongly benefit native species, including pollinators, and are critical components of the
BAFS installation's resilience, restoration, and conservation programs.
FOUR PROJECTS: Four main projects are proposed, each accomplished with multiple in-person volunteer
workday events from September 2025 through March 2026. The largest event will occur on Saturday,
September 27, when volunteers will clear invasive vegetation from approximately 20,000 SF wetland edge
and replant native Hawaiian plants. Similarly, along the coastal dunes, an invasive plant sweep will remove
harmful plants, followed by out-planting native coastal flora. Trash cleanup will be incorporated into all the
projects. Volunteers learn about the important Hawaiian cultural history of the area, native Hawaiian plant
identification, and how dunes and wetland function as critical habitat for endangered fauna. The projects'
titles and details are outlined below.
PROJECT TASKS: During multiple events volunteers will be divided into 4 general task groups to: 1) clear
invasive grasses, shrubs, and trees, 2) assemble educational signage and fencing, 3) out-plant approximately
3,000 native plants, 4) remove debris along the stream edge and coastal dunes. Volunteers will assemble and
sign-in at a BAFS welcome canopy located in the parking area. Project flyers and location maps will be
provided, and posted signs will guide volunteers to the project sites. A safety briefing will be provided before
field work begins. Volunteers will be encouraged to have fun and work as a team. Safety equipment, work
gloves, and tools will be provided. Biologists will teach wetland ecology and identification of flora/fauna
species. Environmental managers will answer questions and help volunteers.
Project 1) Remove Invasive Species - Protect Native Pollinators. Volunteers will remove highly invasive plants
from the Pu‘ewai wetland, the riparian edge of Puhā Stream, and the coastal dunes of Bellows Beach.
Volunteers will be taught to identify both invasive and native plants. Plant identification fact sheets are
provided in addition to the knowledgeable conservation team that will be present at all events. Tasks include
hand removal of invasive plants, safely using hand tools (e.g., troughs, shovels, loppers, pruning saws),
picking up debris/trash, and collecting green waste. Tools and supplies will be collected and returned to
storage.
Project 2) Out-plant Native Pollinator Flora. Volunteers will out-plant native plants in the newly cleared sites.
Volunteers will be taught to identify native plants and their cultural importance. Plant identification fact
sheets will be provided. Tasks include carrying native plants to the work site, safely using hand tools (e.g.,
troughs, shovels, wheelbarrows, pick axes), and collecting debris/refuse. Volunteers will be taught to
carefully remove plants from a pot, shown proper spacing depending on plant type, and place the plant in the
ground with oversight of a cultural resources specialist to ensure protection of culturally sensitive areas.
Plants will be monitored and watered regularly.
Project 3) Outreach - Install Educational Signage and Temporary Fencing Around Restoration
Areas. Informational ecological and cultural signs will be developed and printed. Tasks include mounting
signs on wooden posts. The signs will describe local flora/fauna and cultural history of Waimānalo and BAFS.
These informational signs will be incorporated in temporary fencing around delicate restoration areas in the
wetland and the highly trafficked Bellows Beach. Tasks include carrying the signage and proper tools (e.g.,
rubber mallet, rope, zip ties, pushpins). Volunteers will mount the signs on wooden posts in predetermined
locations, and set up fencing around the restoration areas. Proper signage will protect the natural and cultural
resources of the base by educating and altering the behavior of the base's staff, armed forces, and visitors.
Project 4) Protect Stream Edge / Riparian - Plastic and Trash Cleanup. Volunteers will remove trash/refuse
along the Puhā Stream edge. Tasks include safely picking up trash using gloves, extendable grabber tools, and
trash bags. Volunteers will be instructed how to safely handle debris with sharp edges and the
environmental/health hazards of plastic waste. Collected trash and debris will be transported to appropriate
disposal locations.
WHY NEEDED / ACHIEVEMENT GOALS:
BAFS MISSION: All four projects strongly support the BAFS recreational and training mission for DOD
warfighters and stewarding the land. The project 3) Outreach - Install Informational Signs and Temporary
Fencing Around Restoration Areas supports the recreational mission at BAFS by offering information about
the local flora and fauna and its cultural significance.
INSTALLATION RESILIENCE: Wetland and dune restoration are crucial components of the BAFS installation
resilience because they stabilize the land and shorelines of the base. Coastal dunes protect against land
erosion and storm surges. Wetlands regulate and filter stormwater surface flow, and can prevent flooding.
RESTORE ECOSYSTEMS: The out-planted areas support “living” Hawaiian ecosystems. The native flora
supports pollinator species and provides habitat for endangered native fauna. Dune native plants capture
windblown sand and grow over time and provide essential resting and breeding habitat for protected
seabirds, monk seals, and sea turtles. The Pu‘ewai wetland provides habitat for endangered native Hawaiian
waterbirds. Project 4) PROTECT STREAM EDGE / RIPARIAN - PLASTIC AND TRASH CLEANUP and 1)
REMOVE INVASIVE SPECIES - PROTECT NATIVE POLLINATORS and 2) OUT-PLANT NATIVE POLLINATOR
FLORA will restore and protect the stream, wetland, and dunes. Removing refuse along the stream edge will
help prevent waste from entering the ocean and entangling wildlife. The volunteer work will help to restore
“buffer” zone around the wetland to protect endangered Hawaiian wetland birds, reduce infiltration of
invasive seeds, and provide a trapping corridor for predatory feral cats, feral pigs, mongoose and rats/mice.
ESA/MBTA FAUNA: The Pu‘ewai wetland and Puhā Stream provide foraging, roosting and breeding habitat
for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds including the Ae’o (Hawaiian Stilt), ʻAlae Keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian Coot), ʻAlae
ʻUla (Hawaiian Gallinule), and Kōloa Maoli (Hawaiian Duck). The coastal dunes provide habitat for
endangered ‘Ilio holo i ka uaua (Hawaiian monk seal), Honu (Green Sea Turtle), and Migratory Bird Treaty Act
protected Uaʻu kani (Wedge-tailed Shearwater). The wetland edge restoration 1) REMOVE INVASIVE SPECIES
- PROTECT NATIVE POLLINATORS and 2) OUT-PLANT NATIVE POLLINATOR FLORA supports the Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) air operations mission under an Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation
agreement to restore the BAFS Pu‘ewai wetland in exchange for a “take permit” for inadvertent airstrikes of
endangered Hawaiian waterbirds.
HAWAIIAN CULTURE: Projects will demonstrate respect for Hawaiian culture and responsible stewardship of
the land, and promote positive relationships with the Waimānalo Hawaiian community.
EDUCATION: The projects provide education activities for volunteers to learn about Hawaiian cultural
practices, native Hawaiian flora, and the ecological importance of dune and wetland ecosystems.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE GOALS: Volunteer Program elements include:
A) HAWAIIAN CULTURE: BAFS is located on of the first areas settled by Polynesians in Hawai‘i. Some of the
oldest Hawaiian artifacts and iwi (bones) have been found around the wetland and dunes. Volunteers will be
briefed on Hawaiian customs and mentored to ensure they understand and act respectfully as they work to
protect the ‘āina (land). Some topics will include reinterment of iwi kupuna with lauhala, kapa, and twine.
B) NATIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION, PROPAGATION AND NURSERY MANAGEMENT: Volunteers will be
trained on native Hawaiian plant identification, propagation, and nursery operations. Cuttings and seeds from
native plants will be collected to grow additional plants.
C) NATURAL RESOURCE FIELD WORK: Volunteers will remove invasive plants, out-plant native plants,
assemble irrigation, remove debris, and other practical field work.
D) INVASIVE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND ERADICATION: Volunteers will learn to identify and remove
invasive plants, and will be encouraged to teach others to do the same.
IMPACT ON NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES: The four projects will benefit natural and cultural
resources at BAFS. The 1) REMOVE INVASIVE SPECIES - PROTECT NATIVE POLLINATORS and 2) OUT-PLANT
NATIVE POLLINATOR FLORA projects will replace highly invasive plants with native flora. The wetland outplanting
improves valuable habitat for four endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. The 3) OUTREACH- INSTALL
EDUCATIONAL SIGNS AND TEMPORARY FENCING will not only educate the BAFS guests but also familiarize
the importance of the natural and cultural resources in the area. 4) PROTECT STREAM EDGE / RIPARIAN -
PLASTIC AND TRASH CLEANUP project will help create a cleaner environment for native species and lessen
the waste flowing into Waimānalo Bay.
ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS: Projects will be publicized through electronic, hard copy, and in-person notifications,
and will attract participants of a variety of backgrounds. The program will invite volunteers from community
schools, Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs), local organizations, and DOD bases and units. A two-page
NPLD flyer and map will be posted on social media sites. The NPLD events will be announced at Waimānalo
Community Board meetings and posted on the BAFS webpage.