Partner Updates
Left: Volunteers from Mālama Maui Nui and KIRC Staff secure marine debris in super sacks in preparation for helicopter extraction. Right: Windward Aviation helicopter airlifting debris to Maui for recycling. (Photo Credit: KIRC Staff).
Airlifting Seven Tons of Debris Out of Kanapou Bay, Kaho'olawe
Submitted by: Caroline Sabharwal The Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) coordinated an effort to remove approximately seven tons of marine debris from the shores of Kanapou Bay. From 2021 to 2022, KIRC staff and volunteers traversed land and sea via landing craft, small boat, all-terrain vehicle, helicopter, on foot, and by fin to collect, sort, bag, and remove seven tons of debris. In January of 2023, around four tons was flown up mauka to be transformed into sediment catchment and water runoff mitigation devices for Kahoʻolawe, while another three tons of plastic was airlifted via Windward Aviation helicopters to Maui for processing into upcycled materials at Mālama Maui Nui and to the Maui Ocean Center for public education. This effort was made possible through generous funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Learn more on our website.
Visual Abstract from publication (Photo Credit: UH Mānoa).
New UH Mānoa publication investigates automatic detection of marine debris from Hawaiʻi statewide aerial imagery
Submitted by: Kirsten Moy, UH Mānoa An exciting new Hawaiʻi marine debris publication is out, thanks to authors Ross Winans, Qi Chen, Yi Qiang, and Erik Franklin of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The study trained three leading machine learning object detection models using over 10,000 marine debris items labeled in the 2015 statewide aerial imagery (DLNR/PICES/Gov of Japan). The accuracy and precision of detection and labeling (e.g. buoy, net/cloth, wood) demonstrated a promising future in using machine learning techniques to automatically survey large-scale shoreline areas. While the models aren't a perfect substitute for manual imagery processing, such technology could assist and expedite the time-consuming task. The best-performing model had an average precision of 72%, and varied across debris types.
Learn more from the team's 2023 publication.
Pu'u O Hōkū Cleanup Molokai 2023 (Photo Credit: Jasmine Buerano).
Sustainable Coastlines Hawai'i is hiring!
Submitted by: Jasmine Buerano, Sustainable Coastlines For the past 13 years, Sustainable Coastlines Hawai’i (SCH), has been inspiring communities to care for coastlines. SCH initiatives are designed to introduce new participants to the ideas around the waste problem and involve them in our work, which includes:
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Organizing fun and engaging large-scale community beach cleanups & restoration events
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Engaging students of all ages through our immersive and empowering (re)Learning program
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Amplifying community action through captivating content and collaborative storytelling
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Offering sustainability consulting and resource recovery services at events
In 2023, SCH engaged 5,559 volunteers to remove 45,902 lbs from Hawai’i coastlines and inspired 6,571 students during 208 events on O'ahu, Kaua'i and Moloka'i islands (full impact report here).
This month, SCH is recruiting a Storytelling Intern (application deadline: 2/8/2024) and a new team of educators (deadline: 2/25/2024). SCH is looking for enthusiastic, detail-oriented, adaptable, and self-driven individuals. Learn more and apply by visiting SCH Job Openings page. For any questions, please refer to the contact information on the job description.
You can learn more about upcoming events and job openings via our newsletter and website.
HMAR team celebrating after the community helped rid the Lāʻie beach of a fishing net mass (Photo Credit: HMAR).
Holiday Collaboration Helps HMAR Clear Coastal Net
Submitted by: Clara Orr, HMAR This holiday season posed a challenge for Hawai'i Marine Animal Response (HMAR) as a massive debris net landed on the Lā‘ie coastline on 12/24/2023. After hauling three truckloads over two days, our team and volunteers returned to address the remaining net. A compassionate public group joined in to assist, making the once daunting task manageable.
On Christmas day, over 30 individuals paused their celebrations to help HMAR remove the net, resolving the issue in under 30 minutes! We express our heartfelt gratitude to the public for invaluable assistance, showcasing the community's unity in making light work of the net which totaled 3,500 pounds in the end.
For more updates on our activities, visit our website.
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