There is good news for Honolua Bay coming out of the recently completed legislative session in Honolulu.

The newly passed state budget includes $500,000 for plans, design, construction and equipment for health, safety and public improvements at Lipoa Point at the majestic bay.

This is a welcome change from late last year, when the Save Honolua Coalition had to reach out to businesses to fund porta-potties and help pay for the area’s insured caretaker.

We look forward to seeing what the coalition, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Aha Moku o Kaanapali and the local community envision to protect the bay area through long-term, sustainable, community-based management.

In the much more near future, join the Surfrider Foundation-Maui Chapter on Saturday, May 21, at Honolua Bay for its monthly beach cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon.

The group will meet at the surf access parking area at Lipoa Point. Pack a picnic lunch and bring a reusable water bottle; Surfrider will provide the rest.

Then at noon on Saturday, the community is invited to participate in “Hands Across the Sand” at Lipoa Point.

Surfrider noted in an e-mail, “Every year, thousands of individuals across the world join hands to support clean, renewable energy options. By creating a literal ‘line in the sand,’ the community is telling its leaders that enough is enough – no longer is it OK to continue our reliance on dirty fossil fuels.

“Hawaii is facing a particularly crucial time of change with the potential $4.3 billion takeover of Hawaii Energy by Florida-based NextEra, who has publicized plans to bring in LNG (liquefied natural gas) energy… Say YES to clean energy; NO to fossil fuels!”

For more information, visit maui.surfrider.org/.