HALEIWA, Hawaii (KHON2) -- The rainy wet season is approaching and on Saturday, about one dozen volunteers, homeowners and community leaders took it upon themselves to clear invasive trees and debris from Paukauila stream, which is notorious for flooding on Oahu's North Shore. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news In March 2021, heavy rains led to devastating flash flooding in Haleiwa and Waialua. Many businesses and homes near streams were damaged or destroyed. Residents believed it was due to a lack of maintenance and debris being pushed downstream and getting clogged at bridges. The majority of streams in the area flush out to Kaiaka Bay, which is right where the stream and homes sit. North Shore home hanging on edge as swell set to arrive Monday "Flooding in this area is an extreme and serious issue and it comes up a lot at our neighborhood board and the board felt the time to take action is now and we're blessed to have partnered with Team Rubicon," said North Shore neighborhood board chair Kathleen Pahinui. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization serving global communities, before, during and after disasters. On Saturday, about a dozen volunteers came out to help clear the silt and overgrowth this weekend. "We're going to help clear some of the invasive mangroves around the stream here and help prevent some of the flooding that's occurred," explained Ben Reavis, Team Rubicon Oahu leader. Paukauila stream bridge, also referred to as 'long bridge,' was built in 1973. Long-time residents said they remember when the stream stretched across the entire bridge, but only a small portion of water was able to get under the bridge. "The natural size of the river is much larger, over time erosion and the mangroves set in and grow into the water, so it disrupts the natural flow of the water," explained Reavis. "So debris, vegetation, and trash all get stuck in there and in those mangroves causing it to dam up and when we get excessive rainfall during rainy season that causes the water to overflow into the neighborhood." Downstream, old brick walls indicate where the stream once naturally reached. Today, the stream is about 100 yards away due to silt and invasive trees. Developer temporarily halts building luxury condos near Turtle Bay The goal is to clear out as much of the trees and desilt the area so residents downstream aren't on edge when heavy rains are in the forecast. "It's about time," said Kamaile Rafaelovich, whose home flooded back in March 2021. "The stream just got so overgrown and the mangrove kept getting into it and it's just makes it so difficult for the land to be safe." Nearby landowners also assisted over the weekend with heavy machinery and took the trees and turned them into woodchips and more assistance could be coming in the future. "Together with congresswoman Jill Tokuda's office, we are seeking federal funds for an Army Corp of Engineers study and hopefully that could lead to a large dredging project for Kaiaka Bay which could allow the water to go out to the ocean naturally," explained Rep. Sean Quinlan (D) Waialua, Haleiwa, Kaaawa. Volunteers and residents will continue working throughout the weekend and keep going until they reach upstream and make a dent in the area. Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here Team Rubicon said they are present at emergency management fairs across the state, and previously did work in Waikoloa clearing a fire break. They also assisted in debris cleanup in Lahaina and Kula. For more information on their volunteer work, click here.