192 Maʻalaea Road, Wailuku, Hawai'i, 96793 info@mocmarineinstitute.org Maui Sea Turtle Rescue Hotline: 808-286-2549

Community Clean-Ups

Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute MOCMI Green Sea Turtle Stranding, Rescue and Rehabilitation Program on Maui Reef Clean up Program
pieces of marine debris collected in 2024 so far!

Upcoming Clean-Ups

Join us MOC Marine Institute and SHARKastics!

Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute Sept. 14 Reef Cleanup

Marine Debris Rope

Why Clean-Ups Matter

Community-led beach and reef clean-ups play a vital role in the health of Hawai’i coastal ecosystems. They go beyond just aesthetics by safeguarding marine life from harmful debris such as plastics and abandoned fishing gear.

Did you know that over 80% of our sea turtle rehabilitation cases are due to fishing gear interaction?

It is our kuleana to protect and care for our ocean environment, ensuring its long-term health for both current and future generations. Plus, they offer a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together and contribute to the well-being of our community and environment!

What We Bring

Buckets and gloves for debris collection
Snacks and water refills
A fun time with a sustainable community!

What You Bring

Reef safe sunscreen
A reusable water bottle
Additional personal clean-up supplies
Snorkel gear for a reef clean-up

Reef Clean-Ups

Our reefs provide important ecological services to our island community, such as coastal protection, and habitat for marine species. However, marine debris can block sunlight necessary for coral photosynthesis, entangle and kill reef organisms, or break corals.

Community volunteers utilize snorkel gear to search for and retrieve debris they find littering the reefs.

“Without a healthy ocean we do not have a healthy planet.”

-Peter Thomas

Beach Clean-Ups

Our beaches and coastal dunes are the meeting point of land and ocean. By ensuring our beaches remain trash-free, we have a better chance of preventing debris from entering the ocean, where it is more difficult to collect. Nonetheless, rubbish on land can also pose a threat to coastal wildlife.

Community volunteers are provided sturdy buckets and reusable gloves to pick up debris along the coastline.



With our work, we ensure the survival of coral reefs, sea turtles and marine life in general. We have found that certain garments support us in our daily work more than others and help us feel more connected to the purpose of our work. This is the reason why we entered into a Positive Impact Partnership with Waterlust.