Marine Debris Removal: Caring for Pūpūkea, Together

Marine debris is a threat to all of Hawai‘i’s coastal ecosystems. Here in the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District, we’re fortunate not to face huge waves of plastics washing in from distant currents—but we do see far too much trash left behind by beachgoers and park users. This kind of debris is entirely preventable, and every piece left behind has the potential to harm marine life, reef habitat, and the beauty of the place we all enjoy.

Our team and volunteers regularly remove litter from the beach and surrounding park area, and we often organize community cleanups where everyone can join in. You don’t need special skills—just a willingness to help. Picking up trash is one of the simplest, most immediate ways to care for the coastline. We always encourage people to leave the beach better than you found it.

Alongside our regular efforts, we occasionally partner with groups like Surfrider Foundation O‘ahu and The Arch Project to host large-scale cleanups at Waimea and other high-impact areas. These collaborations bring together dozens of volunteers and make a huge difference in a short amount of time.

Our work goes back many years—in 2016 alone, we removed over 1,600 pounds of trash from the area. And we’re still at it! With your help, we can keep removing more and reduce preventable debris before it ever reaches the water.

Join us at our next cleanup and be part of the solution!