Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeKamehameha students clean up Kalihi Stream

Kamehameha students clean up Kalihi Stream

By Roger Mari - bio | email

KALIHI (KHNL) - They were looking for trash and found parts of a gun, a purse with identification and even some jewelry. More than just trash was discovered in the Kalihi Stream on "Make A Difference Day.

Dozens of students from Kamehameha Schools sacrifice their Saturday morning to pick up trash and debris along the banks of Kalihi Stream. They find everything from paper trash, to household appliances and toys. The once tranquil stream now looks like an illegal dump site.

"It's disgusting; I don't know anybody who would do that," says Student Malu Simeona.

There is even treasure in all the trash. Kyle Kanuha digs up a twenty dollar bill. While it brings instant gratification, he hopes the stream will stay clean long after "Make A Difference Day" ends.

"It feels good to make a difference in our community, knowing that we'll be the ones that can appreciate it later on in life and our kids that come after us," says Student Kyle Kanuha.

In other parts of Kalihi, graffiti is painted over, and storm drains are stenciled reminding people not to pollute. It's the third straight year the Kalihi Stream has been cleaned up.

"Each time we leave feeling good about ourselves for the work we've done but then we come back and we see that it needs more attention, so we're just happy to provide a service in the community," says Gail Vannatta of Kamehameha Schools.

Its one day in the year when Kamehameha School teams up with the city and other organizations to send a message to those who litter that they're not giving up their stream.

"We'll come out as many times as it takes for us to really make a difference," says Gail Vannatta.

In two hours, the group collected 150 small pieces of metal from cars and other appliances, and about 200 plastic garbage bags of burnable trash.