Leo club members volunteered their services at the Oahu Heart Walk for the American Heart Association and at the Kanewai loi on Oct. 4.

The Oahu Heart Walk took place at Kapiolani Park where club volunteers assisted the Kamehameha Lions Club with health screenings. Several other Leo and Lion clubs from across the island were also at the event.

Volunteers assisted at the screening booth, advertising the free screenings and directing participants.

Students Morgan Candelo, Kalia Kawamura-Jeremiah, Victoria Lee and Alyssa Kwan helped at the Heart Walk.

The loi project took place at the University of Manoa at the Hawaiian Studies Department’s Kanewai loi. The event is open to the public on the first Saturday of every month.

Leo club adviser, Whitney Miyahira, said, “Volunteers naturally fertilized fallow loi patches with organic materials and pulled weeds from other patches.”

Junior Theresa Ginter and seniors Lindsay Visher, Dylan Purvis and Nicole Baker volunteered at the loi.

Visher said, “Working at the loi was fun but also hard work. It was nice to be surrounded by nature and help the environment. I think it’s really important to give back and this was a really good way for me to do so. I would definitely go back next month.”

Miyahira said, “Volunteering in high school creates a habit of service. When you volunteer often, it just becomes part of your nature. Those students who are active volunteers now will be more likely to continue service in their adult lives and continue to help and improve their communities. One of the biggest benefits of attending these events is also just making students aware of the various ways they can help the community.”