Damaging surf triggers urgent Kahalu’u cleanup

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii – Caretakers of Kahalu‘u Beach Park are organizing a special beach cleanup day, following last week’s damaging high surf. According to the Kohala Center, the Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center is spearheading the “urgent” effort, which begins 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 4.

According to KBEC director Cindi Punihaole, who was quoted in a media release:

Cindi Punihaole, Dec. 26, 2013

“The high surf last weekend pushed waves very far into the park, and along with it rocks and other debris. We are asking members of the community to please kokua and help us clean and restore order to the park to ensure it remains a safe and welcoming place for local residents and visitors.”

Video uploaded to Facebook, above, shows the waves rushing onto the popular Kona shoreline during one of the recent days of high surf that pounded West Hawaii. Kahalu’u Beach Park was closed for a number of those days. The park was even closed during yesterday’s high surf advisory.

Now, its time to cleanup. The Kohala Center adds:

KBEC will provide garbage bags, light-duty gloves and refreshments, but is requesting that volunteers bring rakes and heavy-duty work gloves if they have them.

Volunteers can sign up on the center’s Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1if8uOs, or simply show up the morning of the event.