Bracing for the ‘dirtiest beach day of the year’

Aftermath of the “rocket’s red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” along with the massive amount of people who descend upon Kauaʻi beaches during the 4th of July often resembles more of a war scene like that Francis Scott Key watched as Fort McHenry in Baltimore was bombarded during the War of 1812, which inspired him to write the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

But instead of rubble, spent mortar shells, other used artillery being found strewn all over, people’s patriotic celebrations and holiday fireworks leave the island’s beaches covered in rubbish the day after.

Surfrider Kauaʻi won’t let fallout from festivities fester though.

The nonprofit Garden Isle organization is bracing for July 5 — known nationwide as the “dirtiest beach day of the year” — and it’s asking the Garden Isle community to join its ranks to clean up the impending mess.

Surfrider Kaua‘i and partners nonprofit Permanent Affordable Living Hawai‘i and Kumu Camp are looking for a few good men, women, keiki and kūpuna community to enlist — and gather some friends to do the same — for the fifth annual July 5th Beach Cleanup.

“Our local beaches are stewarded by volunteers just like you,” the organization’s invite says. “We welcome you to an engaging day of toes in the sand with family, friends and new acquaintances, raising awareness about litter and plastic pollution.”

Clean up starts at 9 a.m. at Kumu Camp in Anahola. Gloves, trash bags, coffee and snacks will be provided, but be sure to bring sunscreen and a reusable water bottle.

A record-breaking 162,902 pounds of marine debris and trash were collected throughout all of last year from Kaua‘i beaches.

Rubbish left behind on beaches not only looks awful, it can wash into the ocean, harming the environment including marine wildlife such as Hawai’i’s five types of sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals, all of which are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Seabirds, several of which that fly in Hawai’i skies and make the islands their home share the same protection status, and coral also can be harmed by the trash.

There are even repercussions from the rubbish on public health and tourism .

Surfrider Kaua‘i Education and Community Outreach Coordinator Barbara Wiedner said plastic pollution of the Pacific Ocean is a top concern, with only Kaua‘i’s housing crisis being more immediate.

“Right now, the North Pacific Gyre has moved closer to our island, and that is why we are seeing such a big influx of trash washing up on our beaches,” said Wiedner, speaking about one of five major oceanic gyres on the planet.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the North Pacific Gyre — which circulates in a clockwise pattern and covers most of the norther Pacific Ocean — is Earth’s largest ecosystem, encompassing more than 7.7 billion square miles.

It also collects an unusually high amount of human-made marine debris, leading to it often being called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Wiedner said while the annual July 5th Beach Cleanup is aimed at cleaning up Kaua‘i’s beaches after the 4th of July holiday, it also is meant to educate the community about marine debris and bring awareness to how much harm it causes.

It’s also meant to get community members active in the fight to keep the waters around Kaua’i and its shores — including its beautiful beaches — free of marine debris and rubbish on all fronts.

The invite to Saturday’s beach cleanup says by taking action to protect the environment, “your collection efforts allow Surfrider to use data to influence laws and reduce waste at the source.”

“We want the community to get involved in our efforts,” Wiedner said.

Those unable to attend Saturday’s beach cleanup can sign up to help Surfrider Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Land Trust during a Community Coastal Restoration workday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. July 6.

The event Sunday is aimed at preserving Kāhili Beach Preserve — a popular surf spot on the North Shore and located in Ko‘olau — and everyone is invited to come out and help “protect this special place.”

Call 808-635-2593 or 808-738-6709 for additional information about the fifth annual July 5th Beach Cleanup. Click here to sign up and be part of the solution for keeping the Garden Isle’s beaches clean instead of the cause.