Category Archives: surf news

Volunteers Honor Hawaii Oceans

Ocean Girl Project Beach Cleanup Sat April 21st

This Earth Day all of the volunteers from Ocean Girl Project appreciate the special contribution each of you made to keep the ocean and beach clean!!!

You did a great job,  the ocean and its living creatures are grateful.

  EArth DaY WaRriOrs.. Our awesome volunteers!

Taking time from their busy lives and weekend activities, volunteers young and old from all over Oahu gathered at  Baby Mak’s aka “Cockroach Bay” for a beach clean up in honor of Earth DayWhile we  won’t revel the age of the oldest volunteer, the youngest was a sweet 10 mth old and carried her own bucket!

Frankly, we dislike the “cockroach” name but it is one of the reasons why we choose this location for our 2nd Earth Day Ocean benefit cleanup (and there is usually surf).

Good works!

Volunteers from ECC – Hawaii/Pacific and their families joined us again this year.  Much gratitude for your support and sustainable works! You all did a wonderful job!

Everyone worked hard and then time for keiki naps.. Hey! where is my nap???

Local Teens take action!

We had two terrific boys, Alex and Jacob,  students from Leilehua High School in Wahiawa come out and volunteer. Wow! They impressed us with their positive attitudes, helpfulness (they got the tents up). They are learning about sustainability in their class with teacher Mrs. Yamamoto, awesome! Thanks dad for driving them so early on a Saturday.

Congratulations boys and to all the volunteers for being environmental heroes -not only learning about plastic pollution and it’s effect on our island  but doing something about it.

You da bestest! So..  after we were all set-up and headed down the beach..we found out we had to relocate then everyone just pitched in – within a few minutes it was all moved and setup again..one of my favorite memories of the day.

YUCK’O! Bucket ‘o Beach Rubbish
Okay, had to show this. Here are some of the plastic-toxic-dangerous items we found on our beach clean up. Imagine this in the ocean?

We must have filled 30+ buckets in less then an hour,  kinda cool that you were able to do that, huh? :-)

By showing up and doing your part, you made an important change to our beaches and oceans, what a wonderful way to honor the Earth and our beautiful island.

Let’s all make a change!

We are planning another clean up in May and hope that you will join us, the more helping hands, the more ways we can keep our oceans clean!

HAWAII BEACH CLEAN UP 2012!

HONOLULU, Oahu – In honor of Earth Day 2012, Ocean Girl Project Sustainable Surf Camps is organizing their second beach clean up on Saturday April 21st just past  Makapu’u also called baby Makapuu.  Map link

Volunteers will be there at 9am and Beach Clean-up begins around 10:00 am. We will be doing a short talk about Ocean Girl Project, safety tips, why plastic ocean debris harms the ocean, and a quick lesson on separating recyclable material from rubbish. You are welcome to join in or leave at any time.

This event is for all ages and everyone is invited, bring your groups, classmates, neighbors, friends and family. Ocean Girl Project has a limited amount of gloves, plenty of rubbish buckets, and an iced tea and water station. There will be organic after sun products, jewelry, and recycled-sustainable items made by their volunteers available.

From town drive past the entrance to Makapu’u -turn right into the first driveway, at the fork turn left towards the pier. Or you can park under the wind soc. It is almost across the street from Sea Life Park,  look for  tents & OCEAN GIRL PROJECT surfboard signs .

For Beach Clean up, we suggest visors or hats, reef safe sunscreen, reusable cups or water bottles, your own heavy-duty gloves if you have, beach gear, towels and loose clothing.

Mahalo for keeping our oceans clean and creating positive waves in young girls lives!!

OGP BEACH CLEAN UP 2012
Date : Saturday 21st
Time: arrive 9am – start 10am -12pm
Location: Baby Makapu’u

Things to bring:
-gloves
-reusable or recyclable cups
-bathing suits and towels
-hats
-sunscreen


View Larger Map

NOAA Ocean Pollution & Ocean Girl Project Mission-Clean it up!!!!!!

Did you know that approximately 1.4 billion pounds of trash per year enters the ocean? Where does all that trash come from? Where does it go?

Much of it ends up on our beaches washed in with the waves and tides, some sinks, some is eaten by marine animals mistaking it for food. Other forms of pollution impacting the health of the ocean come from a single known sources like an oil spill or from accumulation of many dispersed sources like fertilizer from our yards.

The majority of pollutants going into the ocean come from activities on land. Natural processes and human activities along the coastlines and far inland affect the health of our ocean. One of the biggest sources is called nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff. Nonpoint source pollution includes many small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks, and boats, plus larger sources, such as farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. Pollution that comes from a single source like an oil or chemical spill is known as point source pollution. Often this type of pollution has large impacts but fortunately they occur less often. Discharge from faulty or damaged factories or water treatments system are also considered point source polluters.

Nutrients and Algal Blooms

Sometimes it is not the type of material, but its concentration, that determines if it is a pollutant. For example, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are essential elements for plant growth. However, if they are overabundant in a body of water, they can stimulate an overgrowth of algae called an algal bloom. Some algal blooms are considered to be harmful algal blooms because they can have a negative effect on living organisms. An excess of nutrients entering a body of water, either through natural or human activities, can also result in hypoxic or dead zones. When large amounts of algae sink and decompose in the water, the decomposition process consumes oxygen and depletes the supply available to healthy marine life. Most of the marine life that lives in these areas either dies, or, if they are mobile such as fish, leave the area. Habitats that would normally be teeming with life become, essentially, biological deserts.

Marine Debris

Marine debris is another persistent pollution problem in our ocean. Marine debris injures and kills marine life, interferes with navigation safety, and poses a threat to human health. Our oceans and waterways are polluted with a wide variety of marine debris ranging from soda cans and plastic bags to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels. Today, there is no place on Earth immune to this problem. A majority of the trash and debris that covers our beaches comes from storm drains and sewers, as well as from shoreline and recreational activities. Abandoned or discarded fishing gear is also a major problem because this trash can entangle, injure, maim, and drown marine wildlife and damage property.

Impact of Seafood

Pollution can have an adverse affect on the food that we eat. Heavy metals and other contaminants can accumulate in seafood and make it harmful to eat. More than one-third of the shellfish-growing waters of the United States are adversely affected by coastal pollution. NOAA monitors this contamination through the Mussel Watch program and also provides seafood safety tips through the Fish Watch program.

Collection Created August 2011
Adapted from: Ocean Facts: Pollution (NOAA National Ocean Service) and Marine Debris FAQ’s (NOAA Marine Debris Program)

Marine Debris Reporting Phone App

New App Makes it Easy for Beachgoers to Report Marine Debris

THE “FUTURE OF SURFING” PRESENTED BY RERIP IN HAWAII SATURDAY MAY 21, 2011

THE “FUTURE OF SURFING” PRESENTED BY RERIP IS COMING TO HALEIWA, HI Saturday MAY 21, 2011

Haleiwa, Oahu – For the past four years, Rerip has presented “The Future of Surfing” fund-raising event and surfboard swap, designed to advance sustainability in surfing while giving back to the community.  Rerip is pleased to announce “The Future of Surfing” fundraiser, co-hosted by the Yoganics yoga studio and benefiting the Ocean Girl Project Hawaii, will be  held in Haleiwa, HI.

The event is being held  May 21 2011 in the Yoganics back parking lot located at: 66-145 Kamehameha Haleiwa, Hawaii.

All attendees who donate a used but rideable surfboard receive a coupon valid for product from event sponsors.  Coupons are redeemable at vendor booths for art, shoes, clothing, gear, and other products.

Donated boards will be resold at the event with proceeds benefiting the Ocean Girl Project.  Local musicians, shapers, artists, vendors and environmentally minded organizations help make the day a true community event.  Attendees will also enjoy an fashion show hosted by Yoganics Haleiwa highlighting sustainable styles and fabrics.

“As we convert to non-profit status, we have solidified our mission to advance sustainability in the surf industry with a focus on reducing waste, reusing boards and expanding community outreach. By participating in this event, locals can show their support for environmental action and programs benefitting local youth.” says Aaron Taylor, Director of Local Promotions for Rerip

About Rerip

Rerip is an organization that works towards creating accountability, measurability, and sustainability in the surf industry.  By providing the best means for the resale of equipment; offering ideas and opportunities for recycling;spearheading Cradle to Cradle® practices; and giving back to the community through education and fundraising; Rerip.com is dedicated to finding new ways to reduce waste and harmful practices.

For more details contact: Colleen@oceangirlproject.com or Aaron@Rerip.com

Beach Clean Up Sat April 2nd Join Us!

Ocean Girl Project- Beach Clean UP

posted: Mar 31, 2011 7:52 AM HST Updated: Mar 31, 2011 8:12 AM HST

 

Click image to enlarge

HONOLULU, Oahu (HawaiiNewsNow) – In honor of Earth Day, Ocean Girl Project Sustainable Surf Camp for girls is organizing a beach clean up on Saturday April 2nd 2011 at Kaupo Beach near Makapu’u. MAP LINK

You drive past the entrance to Makapu’u -turn  right into the 1st driveway, at the fork, turn left towards the pier.  Or you can park under the wind sox. It is almost across the street from Sea Life park, we will tents and OCEAN GIRL PROJECT surfboards and signs out.

Following the beach clean-up there will be a terrific sustainable presentation by Reef Watch Waikiki about our island reefs and a representative from Surfrider will talk about the plastic bag ban.  Great for kids and adults!

The Beach Clean-up will begin around 9:00 am with a short talk about Ocean Girl Project, beach cleaning safety tips, why plastic ocean debris is hurting our ocean, and a short lesson on separating recyclable material from rubbish. The beach clean-up at about 11:30am. From about 12pm – 1pm there will be sustainable ocean presentations.

This event is for all ages and everyone is invited, bring your groups, class mates, neighbors, friends and family. Ocean Girl Project will be providing gloves, burlap bags, buckets, and drinks. There will also be Ocean Girl Project organic after sun products and recycled-sustainable items made by their volunteers for sale.

See video HERE

Beach Clean-up

Date: Saturday, April 2

Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Kaupo Beach just past Makapu’u

 

Ocean Girl Project Sustainable Surf Day Camp

Who: Girls ages 09-16

Next Camps: Summer 2011

Time: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Monday – Friday

Location: Waikiki beaches

Price: Financial Aid available

 

For information on the Ocean Girl Project surf camps, beach clean-up and how to donate click HERE .

Click HERE to connect with the Ocean Girl Project on Facebook.

Click HERE to connect with Malika Dudley on Facebook.

Ocean Girl Project and Starbucks Team for a Beach Clean Up Saturday April 2nd!

Ocean Girl Project Beach Clean up Saturday April 2, 2011!

In honor of Earth Day, we are hosting an Ocean Girl Project beach clean up Saturday April 2nd at Kaupo Beach aka “cockroach bay” near Makapu’u.

The Starbucks crew have volunteered to join us and will be bringing iced tea. We are  honored and blessed to have them, mahalo!

If you didn’t learn as a kid to surf at this spot or haven’t been to this beach before,   it is almost directly across from Sea Life Park.
There is  parking by beach and on highway, beach bathrooms, showers and usually can find small surf.. overall this is an incredible sustainable and surf  area that needs  your help!!

Bring the church, youth  group, how about your neighbors?? Kids love to be at the beach and help the environment!

OGP Volunteers  will be there about 8:00-8:30 am to set up the tent and water station, reusable water bottles are totally awesome!!!

Beach Clean up will begin around   9am – 11:30am.

From 12pm – 2pm free  lite lunch (until we run out) and awesome sustainable ocean presentations.

You are more then welcome to join in at any time, mahalo.

This event is for all ages and everyone is invited, bring your groups,  class mates, neighbors, friends and family to join us.. Car pooling is encouraged!!!

Ocean Girl Project will be providing gloves, burlap bags, buckets, lite food and drinks. There may be organic products and misc sustainable items sale for sale also.

Strongly Suggest: sun glasses, hats/visors, reef safe sun screen, reusable water bottles.. if you have.. heavy duty gloves, old and new plastic bags for debris.

We are going to be there for most of the day, if you can, bring your surfboards and snorkel gear and hang out on a beautiful and clean Hawaii beach!

Also..if we come up with some soft tops or old beater boards we can do a short surf lesson, we have kids that are interested.

Last if you can -we are looking for surf/sustainable sponsor prizes for the kids.

Please join us on face book for up to date information and further sustainable ocean and kids events. Call Colleen if you need any more info 808.852-0106.

Mahalo ocean girls and guys, you are awesome environmental warriors!

About-Kaupo Beach is on the southeastern end of the Windward Shore of Oahu in Hawaii, south of Makai Research Pier and north of Makapuu Beach Park, opposite the Sea Life Park Hawaii. A little off shore are Manana Island (Rabbit Island) and Kaohikaipu Island (Turtle Island). Kaupo Beach has no strong currents or dangerous coral heads and is popular with local fishermen, swimmers and surfers.

Mana Island is known as ‘Rabbit Island’ as rabbits were raised here until 1994 when they removed as a threat to the surrounding bird breeding areas and ecosystem. The island covers 63 acres and is a volcanic tuff cone island. Mana Island is an important breeding ground for sooty terns, brown noddies, wedge-tailed shearwaters, bulwers petrels and red-tailed tropic birds. Mana Island and the smaller Kaohikaipu Island next to it are both protected bird sanctuaries and closed to the public.

Plastic-filled ocean – a 100% human-caused disaster

The disposable plastic bottle symbolizes waste and litter around the world. But it is not just plastic bottles and careless littering that threaten to turn the oceans from life sustaining to life threatening.

Bottles and bags. Discarded toys, product packaging and cheap holiday decorations. Household and industrial waste of a thousand kinds.

Littered, dropped, dumped. Used despite safer alternatives. Carelessly disposed, improperly managed. Not reduced, not reused and not recycled.

Rolling, blowing, floating and flowing into the world’s oceans.

Plastic waste, and particularly its accumulation and breakdown in the world’s oceans, are a far larger problem than heart disease or cancer, and unquestionably contribute to both of these conditions.

Plastic in the oceans is more damaging and far-reaching than deforestation, habitat destruction and other environmental issues that receive much greater attention. And it is the most directly actionable of all environmental threats.

Plastic stomach contents from a dead albatross