Large Net Mass Removed from Hālawa Moloka‘i

July 6, 2018, 7:28 AM HST
* Updated July 6, 7:31 AM

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State crews successfully removed more than 60 bags of trash and marine debris from beaches on the East End of Molokaʻi. The effort took several weeks and included the removal of a large net mass that was the size of a large SUV, and measured to be about 25 to 30 yards across.

Officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources say the net was particularly problematic because of its large size, remote location, and the sensitive nature of nearby cultural sites that could be disturbed.

It took participants an estimated 10 hours of athletic work on a rocky shoreline to cut the net pile into smaller pieces and place them into bags for removal.

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The marine debris was removed from Hālawa Beach in helicopter sling loads, and flown to Pu‘u o Hōkū Ranch for staging. The debris was then removed by truck for recycling or other processing.

The state was assisted by volunteers, a school class, staff from a local ranch and help from several agencies. These efforts were possible thanks to a collaboration by the DLNR Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife and Boating and Ocean Recreation, Maui County, Pu‘u o Hōkū Ranch, Sustainable Coastlines, Windward Aviation, The Nature Conservancy and Pono Pacific.

DOBOR was able to commit the $8,000 estimated cost for the helicopter removal of the net bags. Pu‘u o Hōkū provided six people to help in addition to using ranch land as a staging area. Maui County committed a second dump truck to haul and offered to help with arrangements at the landfill as needed.

The net bags are staged on the ranch and will be removed during August along with materials to be collected in another beach cleanup that Sustainable Coastlines is planning at Mo‘omomi that month.