ANAHOLA — It took teamwork and a few tow straps to remove a 20-foot black culvert from the Kauai coastline near Anahola, but after some effort it’s now at the organization’s marine debris center in Kapaa.
Thought to be remnant debris from the August and April flooding on Kauai’s North Shore, the 20-foot by four-foot black plastic culvert was located in the second week of January and then recovered that weekend.
“We rolled it down the beach that Wednesday and at the bottom of a hundred foot cliff,” said Joshua Nipp, who was part of the trio that banded together to remove the pipe.
Working with Scott McCubbin and Keith Rich, the pipe was pulled up the cliff and removed from the coastline — and all of it was done before 9:30 a.m.
“It’s the biggest item Surfrider has ever removed from our coastline,” Nipp said. “We hauled it out and deposited it at the marine debris center.”
Surfrider’s Kauai Chapter does regularly scheduled beach cleanups through programs like Net Patrol and Beach Cleanup, both targeted at collecting marine debris from Kauai’s shorelines.
They’re part of a statewide web of organizations that work together to pull both island-generated trash and incoming marine debris from coastlines, using the volunteer power of residents and visitors that decide to lend a hand.
Those weekly Net Patrols and Coastal Cleanups are held every Wednesday afternoon, typically from 4 to 6 p.m.
Throughout the month, there are several upcoming opportunities to join in beach cleanups:
• Jan. 23 at Anahola Beach Park front entrance. 3:45 to 6 p.m. Net Patrol focused on Da Crack and Glass beaches. Need 4×4 trucks.
• Jan. 26 at Anahola Beach Park. 9 a.m. Beach cleanup with B*Rad Foundation. Call or text for more info for this cleanup. 808-635-2593.
• Jan. 30 at Anahola Beach Park south end. 3:45 to 6 p.m. Cleanup of the Anahola rocky coastline.
Other volunteer opportunities to help with Surfrider Kauai Chapter are available.
For more info, contact Barbara, 635-2593, or Scott, 816-781-5883.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
Thank you!