Posted on: Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Beach cleanup comes with door prize
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer
Thousands of volunteers will hit Hawai'i's beaches this Saturday for the annual coastal cleanup known as Get the Drift and Bag It!
The effort, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, is part of the Ocean Conservancy's 19th annual International Coastal Cleanup. It is expected to draw an estimated 450,000 people worldwide to remove and document the unsightly and potentially dangerous debris that litters the coastlines and nearshore waters of more than 100 countries.
The information compiled by volunteers will go into an Ocean Conservancy database and be shared with policy-makers and educational organizations.
"This cleanup provides the only snapshot of what trash is out there in the environment," said University of Hawai'i Sea Grant Extension agent Christine Woolaway, Hawai'i's International Coastal Cleanup coordinator.
Last year, 2,453 volunteers armed with mesh bags and data cards removed 125,080 pounds of debris from 98 miles of Hawai'i's shoreline and waterways. That included 40,277 cigarette butts, the largest debris category. Fishing lures and light sticks were the top item plucked by volunteer divers from the nearshore waters.
Woolaway said the number of volunteers counted likely represents only about half of those who actually joined in, because many people don't bother with the data cards. But that's like not getting counted in the census, she said: If you don't turn in a data card, the severity of the problem goes underreported.
So, to get more people involved this year, the Hawai'i Hotel and Lodging Association will draw one name from this year's Get the Drift and Bag It! data cards to win a weekend package at the Sheraton Waikiki.
To join in, call Woolaway on O'ahu at 956-2872, Terry Miura on the Big Island at (808) 961-8695, Adam Asquith in Kaua'i County at (808) 635-8290 or the Maui County Community Work Day office at (808) 877-2524.
In addition to water, sunscreen and insect repellent, volunteers are advised to bring durable footwear, gloves and a camera to document the day's cleanup action. Divers should take extra precaution and review useful tips at www.coralreefalliance.org/divein/cleanups.html. Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
