Maui Ocean Center Hosts Kealia Cleanup

Kealia Wildlife Refuge, photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui Ocean Center will host its first voluntary public cleanup of the new year this coming weekend at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge.

The cleanup runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

Participants are asked to meet at the Kealia Pond parking lot and boardwalk.  The Community Work Day Program will provide bottled water, rubber gloves, trash bags, grabbers, and vests.

Kealia Wildlife Refuge, photo by Wendy Osher.

Those interested in helping should contact Larissa Treese at ltreese@mauioceancenter.com or (808) 344-2533 with any questions.

The Kealia Pond became a National Wildlife Refuge in 1992.  The refuge includes 700 acres, and is one of the few remaining natural wetlands in the state.

The natural basin rests between Kihei and Ma’alaea along the south central coast of Maui.

The site is a popular attraction for bird watchers who visit the site for a glimpse of Hawaii’s endangered birds and wetland habitat.