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Japan Tsunami Trash/Mussels Update Site Updates 2013 Beach Clean-up Calendar
Target Issues 2013False Killer Whale UpdatesStay tuned for information on False Killer Whales, coming soon.Protecting Hawaii's Monk SealsExperts estimate the population of Hawaiian monk seals at less than 1000. This iconic species is in immediate danger of extinction. Significant threats to Monk seals are habitat loss, disease and illegal attacks by fishermen. [more info...]The North Pacific GyreThe North Pacific Gyre is a floating island of trash, and is the endpoint for much of the plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean. Plastic does not biodegrade, it only photodegrades into pellets the size of plankton. [more info...]Japan Tsunami DebrisTsunami debris has made landfall in Canada, Alaska and Northern California and is also affecting the Hawaiian Islands. [more info...]
News
Big Shark Shout Out Oct 19, 2011
During the Big Shark Shout Out divers around the world will rally to protect sharks before it's too late. Together, we have a powerful, collective voice that can change policies affecting the main threats to sharks - overfishing, bycatch and finning. More... Nonprofit groups deserve donations to help the aina Dec 27, 2010
For year-end tax planning, why not give a little green to some nonprofit groups that are striving to make the world a more sustainable place? There is a wide range of "green" nonprofit organizations -- both in Hawaii and on the mainland -- that work to keep our beaches and water clean and our natural habitats alive, and to prevent another oil disaster from happening. If Greenpeace and the Sierra Club are not your cup of tea, there are many others, such as the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, BEACH and Blue Planet Foundation (blueplanetfoundation.org). Even the Institute for Human Services (www.ihshawaii.org/sustainability) counts, given its efforts toward making Honolulu a greener city. The shelter is home to a collection of vertical wall gardens that grow herbs and vegetables for the kitchen. Besides providing food, the gardens cut down on cooling costs. Community volunteers help tend the garden, but shelter residents pitch in as part of an employment program that may land them jobs in farming or at a nursery. It's all part of an urban farming project that also teaches children at the shelter about sustainability, according to IHS director Connie Mitchell. Last year, IHS installed solar water heaters on the women's shelter, and is getting bids to install them on the men's shelter this year. Mitchell says IHS hopes to eventually install a rooftop garden and launch a master gardening program. IF THERE'S any hope for a greener future, it's with the next generation. The Kokua Hawaii Foundation (www.kokuahawaiifoundation.org) focuses on hands-on environmental education in schools, with the belief that keiki are the "seeds of change to preserving and protecting our beautiful islands." More... A Serious Threat To Sea TurtlesJuly 14th, 2011
Manhattan Beach just banned the bag and it was up for a debate whether or not they needed to do an Environmental Impact Report. The CA Supreme Court ruled they did not, because they are a town of only 30,000 residents so the impact of increasing consumption of paper bags would not have significant environmental effects. This was not so good news for larger cities, because it will necessitate any town with a population over 40,000 get an EIR. However, Marine Biologist Christopher Pincetich, Ph.D, is proposing we use the evidence that plastic bags are a serious threat to sea turtles and the federal ruling to establish a reserve for sea turtles in CA, as leverage to make some progress on this issue. (similar to a recent ruling to protect Leatherback whales). Perhaps government officials on Oahu will be interested in California's policy change? Thank You TeamHonu.com Adopt A Beach Hawaii would like to extend many mahalos to the men and women of Team Honu for their generous donation and efforts in our most recent beach cleanup. Check out their new range of slippers at TeamHonu.com, or see more photos of the beach cleanup here. Pollution TrawlingIf you trawl a fine mesh net through any of the globe's five subtropical gyres giant ocean vortexes where currents converge and swirl unhurriedly you will haul on deck a muddle of brown planktonic goop, the occasional fish, squid or Portuguese man-of-war and, almost certainly, a generous sprinkling of colourful plastic particles, each no larger than your fingernail.More... Trash Free SeasThe Ocean Conservancy is releasing today a new report titled "Tracking Trash: 25 Years of Action for the Ocean." This milestone report compiles data and stories about trash in the ocean, known as marine debris, for every participating state and country, collected from 2010 and as well as 25 years of International Coastal Cleanups, the largest volunteer effort for the ocean. The report also highlights solutions from individuals to inspire behavior change and from companies to accelerate product innovation.More... Hawaii Bans Shark Fin Hawaii is making some waves by being first in the world to ban the possession, sale or distribution of shark fins. More... 5 Human Habits Harmful to Ocean HealthJaymi Heimbuch from Planet Green shows a few ways we can minimize our impact on the marine ecosystem.More... Oil Spill ResponseWe asked Justin Willig, Ocean Conservancy ICC Project Coordinator, to help our volunteers understand the Ocean Conservancy's response to the BP oil spill disaster:With regards to what Ocean Conservancy is doing in the Gulf with it's volunteers: We have a Pre-Oil Arrival Beach Cleanup (Guidelines and Checklist) and a Gulf Oil Spill Tracker. The guidelines are what we are posting on our website for volunteers to read over before they get involved in any cleanups. The Gulf Oil Spill Tracker is an application we created with SkyTruth and the Surfrider Foundation for volunteers to log whether they saw any oil or not on any beaches they went to. They can then take pictures and upload them onto the internet. The data is then mapped, and people can track where the oil has gone. We have an iPhone app that volunteers can download to their phones, so they can do everything on spot. We are also currently in the process of making an Android app. Please visit the Ocean Concervancy website for further information. Ridding Chuns Reef of Man Made DebrisRead moreJoin A Beach Cleanup!
US Department of Health and Human Services Officers - Thank you for participating!
Many thanks to the men and women of Team Honu for your financial support and great efforts in our recent beach cleanup!
Adopt A Beach Hawaii runs monthly beach cleanups and other eco-events, collects data on marine debris and works to improve recycling systems at local beach parks on the island of Oahu. You can help Adopt A Beach by volunteering for a beach cleanup (by yourself or with a group), contributing community appreciation gifts or donating money.
ParticipateTo participate in a beach cleanup:
DonateAdopt A Beach is in constant need of motivational gifts for volunteers, materials and safety equipment, and financial contributions. You can learn more on our donate page. | |||||
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