Waiʻele Community Cleanup & Coastal Stewardship Day– May 9th

On May 9th, thirteen dedicated volunteers gathered to mālama Waiʻele, a 156-acre coastal cultural forest in Halepuaʻa that is perpetually protected through the County’s PONC program.

The day began beneath the protective canopy of the majestic mango grove, where volunteers collected roadside debris along approximately one mile of Government Beach Road. From there, the crew followed the Kalaemanu Trail through dense hau thickets to reach the coastline.

Half of the group remained behind to enjoy the tide pools, while the remaining six gradually made their way along the coast toward Waiʻele. As expected, fresh marine debris had accumulated since our last cleanup effort. By the end of the trek, every participant carried full contractor bags of plastic debris along with frame packs loaded with discarded buoys before finally collapsing for a well-earned rest beneath the ocean almond grove at Waiʻele.

HER’s biannual cleanup events are held each New Year’s Eve and on the weekend closest to May Day, and future events will be announced through HER’s monthly newsletter.