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News and Media

News and Media

By ODA-Hawai’i’s Maui Action Coordinator Sheryl Bryner

Did you know that International Coastal Cleanup Day was September 16, 2017?

Well, your new Maui Chapter of Ocean Defenders Alliance Hawai’i did! We proudly took part this worldwide action day—defending local wildlife and enjoying the sunshine.

ODA Around Since 2000, Maui Efforts New

James and Sheryl BrynerYour new Maui Chapter, only a week old, has already hit the beach running! Both myself and (my wonderful husband) James, who is the first Maui Chapter volunteer, removed more than two trash bags full of debris from the south end of Sugar Beach.

We cleaned the beach from the waterline to way up and over the dunes. Because S. Kihei Road is close to the shoreline, we knew it was also important to remove trash from the backside of the dunes as we watched passing cars blow roadside trash onto the sand and into the water! Eeeeck!

Putting Trash In Its Place

A short list of just some of the objects we removed includes: cigarette butts, plastic bottles, fishing line, nylon rope, Styrofoam, plastic straws, glass bottles, aluminum cans, food wrappers, plastic silverware, plastic take-out containers, plastic and metal bottle caps, random pieces of plastic, and even a broken kayak paddle!

Sugar Beach Cleanup Sheryl cleaning up Sugar Beach, MauiTrash removed from Sugar Beach, Maui

I am glad that, for the time-being at least, wildlife living on or near that beach will not accidently eat any of this trash thinking it’s their food.  Have no fear, we’ll return here—to clean with cheer!

Shout Out and Invitation to Join Us

Maui rotisserie chicken A huge thank you to Maui Rotisserie Chicken for supplying water to us on such a hot day!

ODA-HI is planning more Maui beach cleanups, so keep your eye on the ODA calendar. If you would like to join us as an Onshore Volunteer, we would love your help as we grow this new chapter here on Maui. 

As we continue to expand our local alliance, we will be ON the Maui waters (in a boat) too! We’ll be removing dangerous debris to protect ocean wildlife and habitats…just like you are used to hearing about. If you are interested in helping ODA at sea, please check out our Crew Application on our website

And don’t forget, you can make a donation to ODA anytime. Let’s continue this important work, together, toward a debris free sea!