With easy-going surf breaks out in front, Pohaku Park (a.k.a. “S-Turns”) in Kahana is one of the West Side’s busiest parks during the winter months.

In an effort to improve near shore ocean and coral reef health at the busy park, the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative worked with the Surfrider Foundation-Maui Chapter last September to install two rain gardens complete with compost, mulch and native plants.

Nearly 40 volunteers worked on the project with two goals in mind: to capture and filter polluted runoff before it reaches the sea, and raise community awareness about the issues of urban runoff and reef decline while involving West Mauians as part of the solution.

Surfrider Maui last week announced that it seeks individuals and organizations to “adopt” the park’s rain garden on a monthly basis.

Duties, which include basic weeding and maintenance of the garden area, can be accomplished on a single workday or spread out over a few weeks.

“This is a great opportunity for your school group, club or organization,” the club noted in its July newsletter. For more information, or to sign up, e-mail Chair@maui.surfrider.org.

In related news, the ocean eco-stewards of Surfrider are looking for individuals to help with organizing special events, spearheading its Ocean Friendly Gardens campaign and supporting its Rise Above Plastics program.

“We are 100 percent volunteer-run, so every member and every dollar is important to protecting our ocean resources,” the club emphasized.

The public is welcome to attend the Maui Chapter’s meetings on the first Thursday of the month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Whale Foundation in Maalaea. For information, e-mail volunteercoordinator@maui.surfrider.org or visit maui.surfrider.org/.