Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up

By U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i Public AffairsSeptember 7, 2024

Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
1 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers gather at Mokule‘ia Beach for a group photo following a successful beach clean-up event. Participants included U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii personnel, 808CleanUps staff, and local volunteers. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
2 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers receive instructions and gather tools provided by 808CleanUps before starting the Mokule‘ia Beach clean-up. The event brought together military and community members in a joint effort to restore the environment. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
3 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A family of volunteers contributes to the beach clean-up at Mokule‘ia Beach. Volunteers of all ages participated in the event, helping to remove litter and debris from the coastline. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
4 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers working in pairs during the Mokule‘ia Beach clean-up remove debris and litter to protect the environment. The event was a collaborative effort between U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, 808CleanUps, and community volunteers. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
5 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A volunteer uses a tool to collect debris during the Mokule‘ia Beach clean-up. The tools, gloves, and materials were provided by 808CleanUps to support the large-scale effort. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
6 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A team of volunteers carefully removes trash from the beach at Mokule‘ia. The U.S. Army, in partnership with 808CleanUps, led the effort to restore the coastline. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
7 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers weigh bags of trash to track the amount of debris removed from Mokule‘ia Beach. The successful beach clean-up saw the collection of numerous bags of trash, contributing to environmental protection efforts. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
8 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers weigh bags of trash to track the amount of debris removed from Mokule‘ia Beach. The successful beach clean-up saw the collection of numerous bags of trash, contributing to environmental protection efforts. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army and Local Volunteers Unite for Mokule‘ia Beach Clean-Up
9 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A volunteer hauls trash bags collected during the Mokule‘ia Beach clean-up event. Community volunteers, U.S. Army personnel, and 808CleanUps staff worked together to protect Hawaii’s coastline from pollution. (U.S. Army photo) (Photo Credit: Eric Tagayuna) VIEW ORIGINAL

MOKULE‘IA, Hawai'i – On Saturday, Sept. 7, U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i (USAG-HI) partnered with 808CleanUps and local volunteers to restore Mokule‘ia Beach, located adjacent to Dillingham Military Reservation. The event, which began at 8 a.m., was part of an ongoing effort to preserve Hawai'i’s natural beauty while enhancing military security and environmental resilience.

808CleanUps, a local nonprofit organization founded in 2014, has been at the forefront of community-driven environmental stewardship on O‘ahu. Their mission includes removing litter, marine debris, and graffiti, as well as addressing invasive plant species, with the goal of restoring and protecting culturally and environmentally significant sites.

“Regular community clean-ups like this provide a consistent conservation effort that helps sustain these unique and very important native ecosystems for future generations,” said Kimberly Welch, Environmental Protection Specialist with USAG-HI’s Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Environmental Division.

The clean-up featured strong Army participation, with personnel from various units volunteering alongside environmental experts and community members. Lexa Medero, who works for the DPW Clean Water Program, emphasized the collaborative nature of the event: “We had some units volunteer today, and we’re here in support of the 808CleanUps program. It’s great to see everyone coming together to provide efforts for beach cleanups here in Hawai‘i.”

Kaia Kong, a Natural Resources Specialist with DPW Environmental, shared the atmosphere of the event: “We have lots of volunteers here—families, people brought out their kids and dogs. It’s a beautiful day, and it looks like we’re going to be able to get a lot done.”

The coastal area around Mokule‘ia is home to endangered species such as green sea turtles and native, yellow-faced bees, which rely on the beach’s natural vegetation for nesting and shelter. Maintaining these ecosystems is crucial for protecting endangered species and mitigating the impact of climate change, such as sea-level rise and extreme weather events.

Unpermitted camping and illegal dumping in the area have posed significant threats to both the natural environment and military readiness. Michael Loftin, Executive Director of 808CleanUps, noted the impact of the cleanup effort: “Today, we’re at Mokule‘ia Army Beach cleaning an area that’s seen a lot of abuse—people burning pallets, dumping furniture, abandoning campsites. We’re going up and down the road cleaning that up.”

Loftin also highlighted the importance of community involvement: “We love working with the Army at this site. It’s one of those things that needs all hands-on deck. These partnerships are key because they bring the folks together that will make a real difference, restoring the site to where it needs to be.”

Saturday’s clean-up received added support from Patagonia staff, who sponsored the event, alongside military personnel and environmental experts. DPW provided logistics support, including waste disposal resources for the collected debris. Volunteers worked tirelessly, equipped with the necessary tools and materials provided by 808CleanUps.

The Army’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, which includes beach clean-ups like this one, is essential to protecting endangered species and maintaining military training readiness.

The U.S. Army in Hawaii is deeply committed to working alongside local communities to protect and preserve the unique natural and cultural resources of the islands. Our efforts go beyond maintaining military readiness; they are about building strong partnerships that benefit both the environment and the people of Hawai‘i. Events like the Mokule‘ia Beach clean-up are vital examples of how we can come together to sustain the land, protect endangered species, and ensure that future generations can enjoy these special places.

We extend our gratitude to all the volunteers, local organizations, and businesses who dedicate their time and resources to these important initiatives. Together, we can make a lasting positive impact. Mahalo for your continued support in safeguarding Hawai‘i’s beauty and heritage.