Melani Spielman, volunteer coordinator for the nonprofit Hi’ipaka, leads volunteers in a Hawaiian oli, before they begin their hike up to Kalahe’e Ridge. The purpose of the oli was equivalent to “knocking on the door” to ask permission of ancestors and spirits of the valley before entering the space.

Chad Middleton, Hi’ipaka conservation manager, shows volunteers young koa tree saplings that will soon be planted onto the central ridge of Waimea Valley.

The hike takes the volunteers to a location on Kalahe’e Ridge where they will remove invasive plants from areas previously planted with koa trees.

Various gardening and landscaping tools are used to remove small growth ironwood and strawberry guava trees.

The invasive plants have grown up around koa trees planted on a previous workday.

From left to right, Bayli Sober, Patti Sober and Marley Beschem spent hours digging out the plants. Bayli and Marley, both students at Waialua High School, came to learn and help. Bayli said, “I’m here because I love the earth. Waimea is a super pretty place and I want to help the aina.”

Melanie Spielman, right, explains the growth pattern of an invasive weed to volunteer Marley Beschem of Waialua High School.

Patti Sober of Waialua cuts small branches from ironwood trees in preparation for a chainsaw crew to remove the invasive species.

Volunteer Shan Shamim of Honolulu moves a pile of invasive weeds. The regularly scheduled workdays are meant to care for and protect rare and endangered species of plants and animals in the valley and are open to volunteers ages 12 and up.

Volunteers take a break from work and the sun beneath a lone mango tree on Kalahe’e Ridge in the Waimea Valley. The workday begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. so volunteers take frequent breaks to conserve energy and enjoy the beauty of the valley.

The volunteer opportunity provides spectacular views of the ocean off Oahu’s North Shore.