Marine Debris Removal from the Waiohinu-Ka Lae Coast Hawaii Island
Pacific Region; 2005; 2008-2009 (NOAA RC grant)
Background | Project Scope | Results| Photo Gallery
Background
The windward Waiohinu-Ka Lae coastline (east of South Point) on the Big Island of Hawaii has long been known as a site for accumulation of marine debris. Most of this coastline is very remote and difficult to access, and is probably the most debris-littered coast in the state. This debris poses an entanglement threat to wildlife especially since this shoreline is used by endangered Hawaiian monk seals and endangered hatchling hawksbill sea turtles.
Project Scope
Debris removal efforts were contracted by the NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to the Hawaii Wildlife Fund, an environmental not-for-profit organization known for its work in research, conservation, and education about Hawaii's native wildlife. The Hawaii Wildlife Fund organized volunteers to conduct a full cleaning of this coastline, educated the community about the problem, and organized a consortium of interested community groups and individuals to begin a regular cleanup schedule.
Results
With each cleanup tackling a different section of the coastline over four to six months, the Waiohinu–Ka Lae coast is now cleaner and safer for everyone. Cleanups were completed on November 19th and December 17th of 2005 and February 18th and 19th and April 22nd of 2006.
Over 220 volunteers participated in these cleanups, some from as far away as Japan and the west coast of the United States. In total, 41 tons of marine debris was removed from nine miles of coastline. Approximately 36 tons were derelict fishing nets, and plastic made up approximately 80% of other debris items removed.
Through the cooperation of various state and county agencies, private businesses, and community groups, the marine debris removed was disposed of in the most proactive and environmentally-friendly way possible. Recyclables were separated and given to the County of Hawaii to recycle. Net debris was put into a donated Matson Navigation Co. container and barged over to Oahu where Alliance Trucking picked it up and transported it to the facility of Schnitzer Steel Hawaii Corp. There the nets were chopped into smaller pieces and then transported to the City and County of Honolulu's H-Power waste-to-energy facility (run by Covanta Energy) where it was used to create electricity.
Photo Gallery
Photos from the cleanups.
This program is funded through NOAA's Ocean Service, Office of Response & Restoration, Marine Debris Program.
