Organizers: Honor the intent of the 19th annual Lahaina Town Cleanup

Over the past 18 years, thousands of student and adult volunteers have participated in the annual Lahaina Town Cleanup. Organizers ask the global community to support future cleanups and student-led initiatives for the future of Lahaina. PHOTO BY LAHAINATOWN ACTION COMMITTEE.
LAHAINA — Over the past 18 years, thousands of student and adult volunteers have come together to help clean up over seven square miles of Lahaina Town from the beach to the highway — including two boat harbors, seven surf spots and numerous parks — with divers, students, parents and volunteers during the Annual Lahaina Town Cleanup.
Now in its 19th year, the Lahaina Town Cleanup event is annually supported by Malama Maui Nui’s “Get the Drift and Bag It!” campaign, in conjunction with The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean Up Day.
“Get the Drift and Bag It!” is an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to join in an effort to remove litter and debris from our coastal environment.
Considering the disaster affecting our island community Mālama Maui Nui has invited friends and partners to provide social, mental and physical health services at this event at Kahului Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Volunteers are invited to join the cleanup, picking up litter between Kahului Harbor the neighboring shoreline and peninsula, from 8 to 11 a.m. and to say after for games and refreshments.
The Lahaina Town Cleanup campaign is also part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup month held annually in September. The ICC engages hundreds of thousands of volunteers each year to take action for the ocean and for the creatures that depend on it (including humans).
Over its 30-plus years of existence, approximately 17 million people have picked up some 350 million pounds of trash across more than 150 countries.
After the devastation of Lahaina Town on Aug. 8 due to wildfires, Lahaina Town Cleanup event organizers are asking the community to act in a safe manner but still contribute to the intended efforts of the event.
“This year, we invite you to do a cleanup in an area that is safe and accessible to you – wherever you are in the world,” said Tambara Garrick, LahainaTown Action Committee board member.
“Lahaina Town is currently closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make an impact for the environment. Mahalo for your support and please stay safe. We can’t wait to see everyone next year for our 20th Anniversary of this important community event.”
Cleanup volunteers are asked to download and utilize the Clean Swell App to keep track of the debris removed during the cleanup. This data will be added to the International Coastal Cleanup’s marine debris database. Results from the data help inform policy and debris removal efforts.
Please consider a donation to help fund the 20th Anniversary of the Lahaina Town Cleanup in September 2024; go to visitlahaina.com/lahainatowncleanup.
Mahalo to Love the Sea and the Ocean Conservancy for supporting the 2023 event and sponsoring the official Lahaina Town Cleanup T-shirt.