Surfers To Celebrate Surf Day By Cleaning Up Wildlife Refuge

Oahu surfers will observe International Surfing Day (June 20) with a group surf, and then clean up the James Campbell Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku from 10 to 11:45 a.m. June 23.

Partnering with Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii (SCH), the Oahu chapter of the Surfrider Foundation sponsors the cleanup, which begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. at the refuge, 66-590 Kamehameha Hwy. (near the tip of Oahu’s North Shore). A thank-you party for volunteers is set for 5 p.m. that day at The Refinery Project at the old Waialua sugar mill. Planned are guest speakers, live music, beer and wine.

“Surfers across the world will be coming together June 20 to both celebrate the sport of surfing and to give something back to the oceans, waves and beaches that give us all so much,” noted Tim Tybuszewski, co-chairman of the Oahu chapter.

“The collective removal of land-based trash and marine debris is crucial to keeping the coastlines safe and beautiful,” added SCH executive director Kahi Pacarro. “If you surf, if you love and respect the ocean, come out and show your support.”

All gloves, trash bags and drinking water will be provided. For more information on the June 23 cleanup, call Pacarro at 221-7678 or visit surfrider.org/oahu or sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org.

Another cleanup is planned for this Sunday at Diamond Head lookout. During both cleanups, event sponsor Method cleaning products will collect the day’s haul of plastic to recycle into product packaging. Also, hidden glass bottles at each site will contain prizes from Quiksilver, Patagonia and Hurley for lucky volunteers.