WAILUA — “Magnificent” was the one word John Lydgate used to describe the clean-up efforts Saturday at Lydgate Beach Park. “We have almost a hundred people cleaning up the shoreline,” Lydgate said. “This is a magnificent turnout.” Organized by Lydgate
WAILUA — “Magnificent” was the one word John Lydgate used to describe the clean-up efforts Saturday at Lydgate Beach Park.
“We have almost a hundred people cleaning up the shoreline,” Lydgate said. “This is a magnificent turnout.”
Organized by Lydgate and the nonprofit Friends of Kamalani, the volunteers made short work of the accumulation of vegetative material that clogged the shoreline of the popular tidal pool at Lydgate Park.
“Did you see the trash container?” Thomas Noyes of the Friends of Kamalani asked. “It’s full.”
But that didn’t stop the volunteers as a caravan of trucks laden with wood and other debris deposited its load at a designated “green” area of the park for composting.
The accumulation was caused by the inclement weather that washed debris down the Wailua River and with the advent of high surf, pushed over the rock breakwater where it washed up on the shoreline of the pool.
“The locals were saying how they weren’t going to use the pool anymore,” Lydgate said while pondering how to clean up the area.
Armed with rakes, wheelbarrows and tarps pressed into service as sleds to haul off debris, volunteers made short work of the debris.
Lydgate looked at his watch.
“It’s been about an hour since we started and already more than half of the shoreline is cleared,” he said. “We’ll definitely be done within the two hours.”
Others took to the breakwater where they picked through the rocks, clearing it of vegetative material and wood that had become stuck.
“I’ve been here for 26 years,” said Harry Hartung of Sun River, Ore., one of the many volunteers. “I was here when they built the playground. I helped paint it and I was here when they dedicated the fountain. I could not help but come and help clear the beach.”
Hartung said he’s been coming to Kaua‘i for some time and is impressed with the community turnout to help keep its resources clean and useable.
Noyes said the next big project for Kamalani Playground and Lydgate Park is April 18, coinciding with the Earth Day celebration.
During that event, volunteers are invited to gather from 8 to 11:30 a.m. to do more clean up, painting and sealing of the Kamalani Playground.
Lunch will be served following the work, Noyes said in an e-mail.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
