Lokelani Intermediate School 8th graders Uakea Rosa, 13, (foreground) and Chloe Hornack, 13, paint the legs of an octopus at the Kalakupua Playground Saturday afternoon in Haiku. They were part of a crew of volunteers sprucing up and making repairs at the popular community-maintained playground at 4th Marine Division Memorial Park. Also painting was Chloe’s mom, Wendy Hornack, who is the president of the Rotary Club of Upcountry Maui. The monthly workday organized by the Haiku Community Association is usually held the first Saturday of every month. The next is slated for 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 5. “It feels good to help kids,” Rosa said. “This is a hotspot for kids.” She said compared to when she was younger, the playground has been “transformed” by the volunteer efforts. To learn more about the workdays or to donate to the project, visit haikumaui.org.

Second Photo: Haiku resident Kimberley Naylor trims around the Kalakupua Playground fence Saturday. “We come to this park and we enjoy it,” Naylor said. “We just wanted to give back.”

Third Photo: Keith Wilson of Haiku digs out the remains of a rotted playground fence post while replacing it Saturday. Looking on are David Kim (from right), Bonnie Kim and Christy Ulu. David Kim was waiting his turn to dig out the persistent post with a pick.