Trilogy Excursions organized a large-scale reef cleanup in West Maui waters on Earth Day. Fellow marine operators and 58 volunteers cleaned debris off the coral from Olowalu reef south toward Ukumehame (pictured) and McGregor Point. PHOTO BY TRILOGY EXCURSIONS.

LAHAINA — To celebrate Earth Day on April 22, Trilogy Excursions organized a large-scale reef cleanup, inviting a handful of marine operators and volunteers to join together to make a difference.

Fellow marine operators included Extended Horizons, Hawaiian Paddle Sports, Pacific Whale Foundation, and Sail Maui. Volunteers on each boat worked hard to collect debris off the coral from Olowalu reef down toward McGregor Point.

After two hours of collecting ocean litter, the boats met up at Olowalu, Maui’s “mother reef,” to conduct a coral health assessment survey.

The survey followed Eyes of the Reef (EOTR) guidelines. The debris cataloged and measured, along with the coral survey, will be submitted to a corresponding scientific agency.

In addition to the collection of debris, day-use moorings were visually inspected and cleaned.

“It was really cool to do something together, as an industry, to celebrate Earth Day 2021,” Trilogy Capt. Riley Coon said.

“As a sustainable tour operator, all of our livelihoods are a result of a clean and healthy ocean.”

Coon was the primary coordinator for this event and hopes to continue this with more volunteers and marine operators next year.

The cleanup rallied 58 volunteers and produced 319 volunteer hours.

Items collected include 2,000-plus feet of fishing line, 32 fishing hooks, 28 lead fishing weights, 75-plus pounds of general fishing gear, a ghost net, drowned drone and camera, car window roller, four Walmart bags, a dive fin, and gallon plastic bottle (fish line floater/sail).