Volunteers Sought to Assist with Pre-Rainy Season Mā‘alaea Ditch Clean Up, Dec. 27

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council invites the public to help protect marine life and water quality in Māʻalaea Bay by participating in a clean-up of trash that has been accumulating in the Māʻalaea ditch alongside the Honoapiʻilani Highway.

The clean-up will take place on Sunday, Dec. 27, from 8 to 11 a.m. Organizers say it’s time to remove trash from the ditch before heavy rains arrive and cause the debris to wash into the ocean.
 
“Unless we act now, the trash will flow into the ocean when winter storms arrive, putting marine life and water quality in Māʻalaea Bay at risk,” said Tiara Stark, clean-up coordinator.

Volunteers will meet at the EV charging stations at the parking lot along the highway between Maui Ocean Center and the Carl’s Jr. restaurant.
 
Trash bags, gloves, and facemasks will be provided.
 
“To ensure a fun and safe event, safety precautions such as mask wearing, social distancing, and limitations on the number of volunteers will be enforced,” said Stark. “Please wear closed toed shoes and long pants; don’t forget your hat, sunscreen and water bottle. It feels good to make a difference,” said Stark.
 
To volunteer for one or more one-hour time slots, please sign up through this link: http://bit.ly/MaalaeaCleanUp
 
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is a nonprofit organization working for healthy coral reefs, clean ocean water and abundant native fish. The organization is working to improve ocean water quality in Māʻalaea Bay through an oyster bioremediation project and a program to reduce sediment runoff from the adjoining Pohakea watershed.