River Mouth Cleanup June 13

We will continue our efforts to restore the natural beauty and environmental health of the beach and coastline along the popular surf spot ‘River Mouth’, adjacent to the ‘Īao Stream, on Saturday, June 13 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Volunteers from the community are asked to join MMN and the growing number of volunteers who care for this biologically sensitive and culturally valuable site.

The June 13 volunteer cleanup will be the second of its kind, following a successful event on May 30 at the same location where about 60 volunteers spent four hours removing approximately 12 tons of debris from the River Mouth beach area.

These River Mouth cleanups are part of a larger effort that began earlier this year in coordination with the County of Maui, the Maui Police Department, and Mālama Maui Nui.

“We aim to have a strong presence in this area moving into the future,” says MMN Operations Manager Gabrielle Schuerger. “However, as a volunteer-driven organization, we depend heavily on the community to take action. It is thanks to our community network of conscious and hardworking individuals that we are able to keep Maui beautiful and healthy and we look forward to the continual building of these relationships in support of this site.”

The impacts of marine debris can be devastating and all-encompassing, endangering the safety and health of Maui County’s residents, visitors, animals, the economy, and ecosystem. While litter and marine debris threaten many miles of Maui’s coastline, the River Mouth area requires particular attention due to the important roles it plays in biological and cultural practices.

The ‘Īao Stream empties into the ocean via an estuary directly east of River Mouth — hence the name– and is one of “the Four Waters” or Nā Wai ‘Ehā. Marine species like the ‘o‘opu (goby fish) and ‘opae (shrimp) depend on river mouths like this one to travel from their temporary ocean home back to fresh water to procreate. The health of nearshore life like limu and crustaceans also require clean fresh water entering the ocean to survive. Honoring the cultural connection of clean waterflow mauka to makai for the remaining lo’i (taro patches) situated in the West Maui Mountains is another reason why it is so crucial to maintain the River Mouth beach area litter-free.

Community groups, rotary clubs, sports teams, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to join the effort by attending the June 13 beach cleanup and continuing the good work in support of this important area, so that it can once again be a beautiful and environmentally healthy public space for Maui County.

Call or email us to get involved! http://malamamauinui.org/event/river-mouth-beach-cleanup-june-13/