Malama Maui Nui Leads Community Clean up Project

Volunteers at the Waiʻehu Beach Park clean up event. Photo Courtesy Malama Maui Nui.

Volunteers loading trash. Photo Courtesy Malama Maui Nui.

Volunteers at the Beach Park. Photo Courtesy Malama Maui Nui.

Volunteers taking photos together after the clean up. Photo Courtesy Malama Maui Nui.

Volunteers removing trash from the beach. Photo Courtesy Malama Maui Nui.

Malama Maui Nui, in partnership with the Blue Zones Project Maui and Sharktactics, led over 140 volunteers in a clean up project at Waiʻehu Beach Park. The project, which was held on March 2, involved families, local groups, clubs, and businesses who were able to clean over 12 acres in two hours. According to Malama Maui Nui, the volunteers ranged from old timers to residents who have moved to Maui in the past six months.

“Malama Maui Nui can serve as a meeting place for those new to the island who wish to give back to the community,” one of Malama Maui Nuiʻs new volunteers Damon Churchwell said.  “It serves as a resource for long-term residents and for those from the mainland or elsewhere who recognize the extraordinary beauty of Maui and want to keep it that way…The staff are welcoming to fresh faces who want to work together and make a difference.”

Buck Joiner, who has been volunteering with Malama Maui Nui for 36 years, said he showed up ready to make things happen. He joined a crew of volunteers who tackled the river mouth and removed carpet, tin roofing, and other trash that was buried deep under rocks and mud.

“For the tough items it would take two or three people digging hard from different sides to try and free the trapped detritus,” Joiner said. “I was using a thick branch to lever under pieces that were submerged, buried, or embedded. Others saw my success and duplicated my methods. We did good.”

According to Malama Maui Nui, one of their goals is to inspire others to have this similar desire to do good for the island.

The organization would like to mahalo those who helped them with the clean-up project, including the Maui Fire Departmentʻs first responders, Maui Coffee Roasters, Down to Earth, Wailuku Subway, Tin Roof, Daniʻs Catering, and Pizza in Paradise. They would also like to mahalo the all of the event partners, team leaders, and volunteers. More information on volunteer opportunities with Malama Maui Nui can be found on their website or by contacting (808) 877-2524.