LIHUE — Kauai residents will be putting their hands to work with the rest of the world on International Coastal Cleanup Day this Saturday, Sept. 21, and there are plenty of opportunities to join in the effort.
Yoga kicks off the 34th annual International Coastal Cleanup Day on Kauai, hosted by Kauai Beach Resort, B-Rad Foundation and Surfrider Foundation Kauai, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Alexandria Cordero, founder and CEO of Samsati Yoga, will be teaching yoga. She’s a certified instructor and life coach, and endeavors to create community through adventure and holistic wellness. Cordero will be teaching the “Aloha and Be Well” class until about 9:15 a.m.
Then, community volunteers, resort employees and staff, and members of cleanup groups will put that community into action cleaning up Nukoli‘i Beach until about 12:30 p.m.
While picking up plastic and debris, everyone will record each item collected on data cards to get a better understanding of the effect the marine trash is having on the local ocean environment, wildlife and ecosystems. This data-collection process helps identify ways to eliminate ocean debris in the future.
Kauai Beach Resort will open access to Nukoli‘i Beach for easy removal of beach trash, and will provide box lunches for the volunteers.
“Surfrider Kauai is thrilled to continue our partnership with Kauai Beach Resort to collect and remove garbage from Nukoli‘i Beach,” said Barbara Wiedner, vice chair and beach cleanup co-coordinator of Surfrider Kauai.
“It is especially important to remove plastics, as they are poisonous to sea life when ingested, and often entangle the animals. We are grateful for the support of the Kauai Beach Resort, their employees and guests, who passionately protect our beaches.”
The nonprofit B-Rad Foundation hosts many cleanups around the island, and is an organization dedicated to supporting youth and their communities.
Kauai Beach Resort has shown dedication in removing those plastics, nets and other debris from the shorelines, and has an Ocean Friendly certified poolside bar that puts that debris on display to drive the point further home.
The Driftwood Bar and Grille has an art piece and a place to grab a drink in the midst of buoys and beach trash, netting and plastic bits that floated onto the island — a façade made of marine debris so patrons can see what it is that is impacting the ocean.
To garner that Ocean Friendly certification, the Driftwood Bar and Grille proved they’re not using any expanded polystyrene products, are properly recycling their plastics, only providing disposable utensils for takeout, as well as straws on request, and have nixed plastic bags.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Surfrider Kauai to provide education about environmental sustainability, as well as help keep our beaches clean for our Kauai community, guests and employees,” said Kauai Beach Resort General Manager Robert “Mick” Minicola.
“In addition, we are committed to meeting Surfrider Kauai’s Ocean Friendly Restaurant criteria at Driftwood Bar &Grille to reduce the use of Styrofoam food containers, plastic straws and bags.”
International Coastal Cleanup Day was started by Ocean Conservancy more than 30 years ago when the organization rallied communities together with the common goal of collecting and documenting trash along their coastlines.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
