Floodwaters ruin East Oahu nursery for native plants

KAMILO NUI VALLEY (HawaiiNewsNow) - Flash flooding this weekend in East Oahu wrecked a non-profit organization's nursery that is mainly used to grow native plants for conservation projects.

The property also serves as a hub for conservationists.

The severe weather on Friday left behind a path of destruction on the nearly three-acre site in Kamilo Nui Valley.

"It was jaw-dropping," said Elizabeth Reilly, president of Livable Hawaii Kai Hui. "This particular weather event literally took water from three areas of the valley -- and we're more upland -- and collected it and washed it through our property like an entire wall, a wrecking ball."

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The storm washed away a bridge, uprooted trees, and ruined the irrigation system.

Near the back of the site, what used to be an open field is littered with debris that came down from a neighboring property.

Members are still working to calculate a damage estimate.

"Mother Nature was kind to us in that our conservation native plants and shrubs and trees are safe. I thank her for that," said Reilly.

The group will be asking volunteers for help with the clean-up and rebuild.

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