On Saturday, April 24, Our Kaka‘ako was excited to partner with the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation O‘ahu Chapter for our Mālama ‘Āina Earth Day Community Clean Up. A total of 170 people from the neighborhood and wider community volunteered their time to pick up trash in the nine mauka blocks of Our Kaka‘ako and Mother Waldron Park in celebration of Earth Day.
Starting at 9:30 a.m., volunteers, ranging from keiki to kūpuna, checked in at The Barn at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako and picked up a map, gloves and biodegradable trash bags. The hardworking volunteers set out across the nine neighborhood picking up assorted litter, including cigarette butts, used paper goods, cans, bottles and more. Participating families, friends and co-workers shared a spirit of camaraderie as they did their part to mālama ‘āina and protect our environment.
By 11 a.m., the volunteers dropped off 228 pounds of trash at the designated drop-off site at the edge of Mother Waldron Park. Upon their return to the Barn, they received as a mahalo gift for their kōkua, a stainless steel reusable straw with a cleaning brush, as well as a grab ‘n go snack bag, including special offer coupons from participating merchants Sun Tea Mix and Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room.
The festivities continued as the volunteers visited the Surfrider Foundation educational resources tent just outside the Barn to learn more about their programs and how to care for the earth.
Mahalo to Surfrider Foundation for helping us raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and protecting our environment. For more information about the Surfrider Foundation Oʻahu Chapter visit https://oahu.surfrider.org or connect via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@surfrideroahu).
Lastly, we want to give a big shoutout to all of the amazing volunteers who spent their Saturday morning with us cleaning up the neighborhood of Our Kakaʻako and Mother Waldron Park! Keep an eye out for future clean ups and events by signing up for notifications. Mahalo nui loa!