Our first stop was at one of many scenic lookouts. Mangroves along the Kāne‘ohe Bay Shoreline were removed to enhance the viewshed, in many cases, the native hau and milo have grown back on their own.

If you know where to look, MCBH is rife with Best Management Practices aimed at lessening the base's impact on the surrounding waters. For example, the vehicle maintenance yard and some of the parking lots are equipped with special storm drains for capturing the oil and grease in runoff, and the golf course is watered with treated wastewater. Signs line the running path encirling the ponds, giving marines a chance to enjoy and learn about the scenery while getting into shape. There are also several native gardens that have been planted through the combined efforts of marines, students and volunteers.

With the restoration of native plants, native animals are returning to Mōkapu. We saw many Ae‘o (Hawaiian stilts), Kolea (Pacific Golden Plover) and ‘Auku‘u (night herons) throughout the morning and a large group of Iwa (frigate birds) spent some time circling and flying over the water hazards at the golf course. Also, since there is no fishing pressure in the ponds, the Nu‘upia system is home to 16 species of fish that are difficult to find in the surrounding ocean.

The timing of Mud-Ops is set to precede the stilt nesting season. It's a win-win situation - the marines get to familiarize themselves with the operation of their vehicles, while pulverizing the pickleweed and making the marsh and mud flats into accessible feeding and nesting ground for the the stilts.

Future environmental projects at MCBH include the drainage ditch into a scenic waterway and participation in a coral reef assessment program.

You can check out MCBH's Environmental Program here.