Mālama Maui Nui Launches 2017 Cleanup Campaign

Mālama Maui Nui announced its annual Get the Drift and Bag It cleanup campaign today and is inviting the public to help by cleaning local beaches and ocean waters on Sept. 16, 2017.

Mālama Maui Nui (MMN) announced its annual Get the Drift and Bag It! cleanup campaign today and is inviting the public to mālama our beaches and ocean on Sept. 16.

The local nonprofit has hosted the campaign with the County of Maui for more than 30 years, providing the community with the opportunity to join the global effort to remove debris and collect data from coastlines along Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

The campaign runs from Sept. 16 until Oct. 14 at various locations throughout the county.

Get the Drift and Bag It gives the public an opportunity to be citizen scientists by collecting data on the type and quantity of litter compiled during cleanup efforts. The data then goes into the international Ocean Trash Index database managed by the Ocean Conservancy that’s used to develop preventative solutions to litter and pollution problems.

Christy Kozama, MMN’s volunteer coordinator, said the ability to make a positive difference in our own backyard is one of the most gratifying aspects of the campaign.

“Living on an island, we are aware of how the ocean affects our daily lives- the weather, the food we eat, the activities we engage in, our overall happiness and well-being. It’s all connected to the ocean,” said Kozama. “What I love most about Get the Drift and Bag It! is that not only do we get to be a part of the short-term solution of removing trash from our coastlines, but we get to be a part of the long-term goal of litter-free oceans.”

Groups are encouraged to register to join the kick-off day on Sept. 16. MMN can provide bags, gloves, pickers and an instructional packet with two weeks advanced notice.

MMN will be hosting a cleanup coordinator instructional training at 9 a.m. on Sat., July 29 for anyone interested in hosting their own cleanup. For more information call MMN at (808) 877-2524 or email volunteer@cwdhawaii.org.