Last weekend, on August 24th, Makaha Beach Park became the focal point of a remarkable community effort to clean our ocean. It all started with a member of the Oahu Dive Crowd, a local Facebook group, voicing a need for clean-up efforts at this popular beach, surf spot, and dive site. Hosted in collaboration by Nudi Wear, Oahu Dive Crowd, and Wild Side Hawaii, this event brought together nearly 40 dedicated SCUBA divers, freedivers, and boat support personnel to make a significant impact on our local marine environment.
Weathering the Storm
Despite the looming threat of a tropical storm approaching the Hawaiian Islands, the weather on Saturday was nothing short of perfect. We enjoyed sunny skies, calm seas, and visibility of about 40 feet—ideal conditions for both diving and debris collection. Safety was a top priority, and Wild Side Hawaii’s boat was strategically moored at the dive site to provide an extra layer of security for our in-water volunteers.
A Special Thanks to Our Dive Site Briefing Specialist
Before heading into the water, our volunteers received a comprehensive safety briefing, followed by a detailed dive site briefing from Paul. Paul is the member of the Oahu Dive Crowd who saw the need at this Makaha dive site and voiced the request. Paul considers this his “home reef” and dives it weekly. His deep familiarity with the area was invaluable in guiding our efforts. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Paul for his expertise and dedication.
A Dive Into Action
With the briefings complete, our dive teams plunged into action. Grabbing debris bags, gloves, and cutting tools before diving into the water to locate and remove marine debris. The divers were not only effective but also rewarded with fintastic marine life sightings, including a captivating turtle cleaning station. The team worked collaboratively, with SCUBA divers and freedivers tackling large debris such as tires together.
A special shout-out is due to the Makaha Ocean Safety team, who joined the cleanup effort with their jet ski, four-wheeler, and freediving assistance. Their support was instrumental in removing 5 heavy tires from the water and transporting them to the beach trash removal area. We sincerely appreciate their assistance and enthusiasm to clean up the waters of Makaha.
Impressive Results
The collective effort resulted in an astounding 278 pounds of trash being removed from the ocean. Among the most frequently found items were golf balls, hair scrunchies, aluminum cans, articles of clothing, and rubber bracelets. The largest challenge of the day was the removal of the tires, but thanks to everyone’s hard work, the event was a major success!
Looking Forward
A huge thank you goes out to Oahu Dive Crowd and Wild Side Hawaii for their partnership, and to all the volunteers who sacrificed their Saturday morning to contribute to this vital cause. Their dedication to keeping our oceans clean is truly inspiring.
Our next cleanup event will take place at Point Panic on September 7th. We hope to see many of you there as we continue our goal of protecting and preserve our beautiful marine environments in Hawaii.
Mahalo to everyone involved for your time, effort, and passion for ocean conservation. Together, we are making a difference!
