By Rob Culbertson
Quite a few members of Kauai Group were kept busy this summer with various service projects around the island. On two occasions members organized informal service trips into Kalalau Valley that were quite productive. We helped prepare sites in the campgrounds for new native tree plantings in conjunction with the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Lawai. We brushed trails and helped remove heaps of nasty Cockleburr plants. We genuinely enjoyed working with the new park ambassador Jordan Jokiel and all the other special helpers he's enlisted to restore much of the natural ambiance of the park.
We continued with our service work on behalf of Anini Beach park; building and maintaining the first recycling stations of any County park. And our presence is now official on the westside with our adoption and great clean-up work on Waimea Canyon Road, the "gateway" to Kokee.
Our social gatherings at Pamela Jayne's (the last Friday of every even numbered month) have been rewarding too. We've used these opportunities to get involved with writing letters in favor of the boycott of Shell Oil and general discussions on the issues of the day here on Kauai. We are once again planning our end of the year Thanksgiving weekend camp"in" up at the Souza Center in Kokee Park. The past few years' gatherings up in the friendly atmosphere of Kokee woods with our friends who operate the museum have convinced us this should become a traditional resort. So once again we invite our members to plan on coming up for a night or two, bunking at the historic CCC camp, trading a few hours service to "Hui O Laka" and making the best of the usually deserted environs. We might make baskets or Christmas wreaths but definately we'll roast a turkey.
Finally, it's never to early to start thinking about annual elections of Kauai Group's Executive Committee. Just recently we've had to say goodbye to board members Catherine Downey and Willow Russell. Catherine and family are moving to Vermont but will likely be returning for numerous visitations. Willow is beginning college on the mainland this fall. We wish them well and "mahalo nui" for all their spirited energy devoted to the club and to Kauai. At our last business meeting we welcomed the offer of Chris Mildwater to fill out the remainder of one of the vacated positions on the board. Chris brings a high degree of enthusiasm and personableness that has already earned him a nickname as our "goodwill ambassador". That leaves one vacancy to fill currently as well as the running of additional persons to succeed on the board for full two year terms (1997-99). Will this be the time you take a turn at the tiller? Please give it some thought. We'll be forming a nominating committee soon. Why should Bob, Bill, Ross and Ralph have all the fun this election year?