Is an area you love getting trashed? Do something about it on Saturday, Jan. 17, during “Aloha ‘Aina.”

The event is Malama Maui Nui’s first cleanup campaign of the year.

As with all Malama Maui Nui (formerly Community Work Day Program) cleanups, the goal of “Aloha ‘Aina” is to engage the Maui County community – residents, visitors, businesses and community groups – to participate in a hosted MMN cleanup or to organize their own event in an area they cherish.

Malama Maui Nui can provide cleanup supplies and also pick up the trash collected to facilitate community-organized cleanups.

“With each of our annual cleanup campaigns, we like to offer an event for ‘free-agent’ volunteers and groups from schools, teams, churches, businesses or other organizations to join us,” said Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Kennedy.

“And if there is a group that wants to create their own volunteer event for a place they have a connection with, we are happy to help support that act of aloha ‘aina, too!”

Volunteers may join one of two co-hosted events that day: a beach cleanup at Poolenalena Beach from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation-Maui Chapter, or a workday at the Waikapu Cemetery with the West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Cleanup supplies, water and snacks will be provided for volunteers at both events. Volunteers should bring their own reusable water bottles and sun protection.

Beach cleanup volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves and reusable bags or buckets to lessen the amount of plastic bags used to collect litter.

Waikapu Cemetery workday volunteers need to wear close-toed shoes. They may also bring their own gardening gloves appropriate for weeding and cutting back brush.

Any community cleanups that use MMN supplies and occur within a week’s time of the campaign date are counted as part of “Aloha ‘Aina.” MMN cleanup campaigns are held with support from the county Department of Environmental Management.

Call Malama Maui Nui at 877-2524 or e-mail volunteer@cwdhawaii.org to pitch in or reserve supplies for your own community cleanup.