On the windward side, the organization maintained its collaboration with Papahana Kuaola, Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi, and Paepae o He‘eia — 3 nonprofits based in the He‘eia ahupua‘a in Kāne‘ohe — to support restoration efforts across mountain, wetland, and ocean ecosystems. Volunteers contributed by restoring lo‘i kalo, or irrigation systems, clearing invasive species and building a pathway around the historic 800-year-old He‘eia fishpond.
“Through our partnership with Kaiser Permanente, Papahana Kuaola continues to advance our mission of mālama ʻāina — caring for the land that sustains us all,” said Ka‘imi Johnson, ʻāina (land) steward at Papahana Kuaola. “Together, we blend cultural stewardship and health, nurturing the well-being of our communities and honoring the deep connection between people and ʻāina.”
“Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi’s long-range project is to restore agricultural and ecological productivity to nearly 405 acres within the wetlands of He‘eia through cultural education and ecosystem restoration programs,” said Kanekoa Shultz, executive director of Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi.
“Our long-term partnerships with these dedicated organizations reflect our commitment to preserving Hawai‘i’s cultural and environmental heritage,” said John Yang, MD, president and executive medical director of Hawai‘i Permanente Medical Group. “As we celebrate our medical group’s 65th anniversary, there’s no better way to honor this milestone than by volunteering alongside these incredible partners. Together, we’re not only restoring the land but also fostering a legacy of health, resilience, and connection that supports the well-being of our community for generations to come.”
Neighbor island projects
On Maui, volunteers joined efforts at Paeloko Learning Center in Waihe‘e, a Native Hawaiian education center focused on preserving ancestral arts, culture, and language through hands-on learning. Their work included clearing and cleaning lo‘i kalo, or taro; planting wauke trees; making kapa, or barkcloth; and improving the center’s facilities.
On Hawai‘i Island, participants contributed at 2 locations: Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve in North Kona and Haleolono in Hilo. At Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a, volunteers partnered with the nonprofit Ka‘ahahui o ka Nāhelehele to restore the unique dryland forest ecosystem. This historically significant area, home to native plants, animals, and nesting nēnē — Hawaiian geese — benefited from efforts such as planting native species, collecting seeds, removing invasive plants, and restoring trails. In Hilo, volunteers worked at Haleolono to remove invasive species and help rebuild the walls of the ancient fishpond maintained by the Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation.
On Kaua‘i, staff from Kaiser Permanente’s Līhu‘e Clinic collaborated with the Waipā Foundation to prepare lo‘i kalo and remove invasive vegetation along the banks of Waipā Stream.
“Today is not just a special day for Kaiser Permanente and our team — it’s a meaningful reminder of the values that drive us,” said Ed Chan, RD, FACHE, Hawai‘i market president for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals. “This Annual Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day gives us the chance to recommit to serving our community in the new year while honoring Dr. King’s vision of social justice and health equity.”
