Please join us for a volunteer workday in Maunalua Bay! We will help restore the marine environment by removing invasive algae from the nearshore waters, as part of an effort to continue the work of the Great Huki. From 2009-2011, a team of dedicated volunteers and staff removed 3 million pounds of invasive limu from 27 acres. Today, we continue this effort through volunteer workdays with schools and community groups.

The problem: Invasive Alien Algae

Invasive Alien Algae (IAA) are one of the greatest threats to Hawai’i’s coral reefs and nearshore marine ecosystems. These invasive, non-native marine algae species flourish off of an environment created by sediment and runoff from the land. As IAA spreads, it grows over and smothers coral reefs and native algal communities, killing extensive areas of native habitat.

Three species of invasive algae are devastating Maunalua Bay: Gorilla Ogo (Gracilaria salicornia), Prickly seaweed (Acanthophora spicifera), and Leather Mudweed (Avrainvillea lacerata, formerly amadelpha)

Event Details:

Please meet at Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park (100 Bay Street) at 9:00 am. The event will run for approximately 3 hours. Parking can be found along Summer Street. Upon arrival please check in with the Community Huki Leaders (CHLs). They will hand out water shoes, gloves, and bags to remove the algae. Once all of the supplies are distributed, the CHLs will briefly introduce Mālama Maunalua, the history of Maunalua Bay, and the types of invasive alien algae that will be removed that day. The CHLs will then walk everyone along the shoreline to the Paikō Restoration Area. This is approximately a 10-15 minute walk from Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park. The remainder of the time will be spent removing algae from the bay. We will ensure that you are back at Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park to rinse off by 12:00 pm.

What to bring: We ask that all group leaders ensure that their volunteers have adequate amounts of water to stay hydrated, sunscreen, and clothes that can get wet such as rash guards and board shorts. Towels, water shoes, hats, and a change of clothes are also recommended. We are asking that volunteers try to bring their own footwear and gloves due to COVID-19 (Mālama Maunalua does provide water shoes and gloves, but in limited quantities and only in adult sizes! 5-13 and S-XL)

Additionally, we need every participant to fill out our online waiver at https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/568e9cb7c635a/web/ and parental consent must be given to all minors prior to the event.

See you there rain or shine!