NOAA to Host Ocean-Friendly Car Wash

For the first time ever in Hawai’i, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will host an ocean-friendly charity car wash.

The car wash will take place in the Old Lāhainā Lūʻau parking lot between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.  The car wash is free, but voluntary donations will be collected for the Lahainaluna High School student council, as well as supporting more ocean-friendly car washes by donating the needed materials to sites and groups.

In order to be an ocean-friendly car wash, the wash water should not enter nearby storm drains. This is accomplished by using a submersible pump to suck up the water and redirect it to a vegetated area or an accessible sink or toilet, which means it will end up at a treatment plant instead of the storm drains that lead to the ocean.

This is important because, in addition to the soap that is used, water from car washes also contains all sorts of pollutants associated with cars such as oils and heavy metal particles that wash off.

No rsvp is necessary. For more information, contact WestMauiKumuwai@gmail.com or call (808) 283-1631.