U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, hosted its 2026 Mālama ʻĀina Day at the end of April, bringing together fourth-grade students from West Kauaʻi for the annual environmental protection awareness event.
This year’s observance highlighted the shared responsibility of Pacific Missile Range Facility to protect island resources while demonstrating the Navy’s commitment to environmental protection, conservation and historical preservation programs that directly support ongoing mission readiness.
A major highlight of the event was the interactive learning experiences provided by the installation’s staff biologists and partnering agencies to the more than 190 students in attendance, transforming the Shenanigans parking lot and lawn into an outdoor classroom.
This year’s theme was “Planet vs. Plastics,” with hands-on presentations and activities covering various topics such as plastic waste recycling, meteorology, wildlife protection, energy conservation and more.
Activities were designed to support student’s science, energy and ecology curriculum.
“Seeing the enthusiasm from the students … gives me great confidence in the future of our island’s conservation efforts,” said Pacific Missile Range Facility Natural Resources Manager Brooke McFarland in a Facebook post showcasing the 2026 Mālama ʻĀina Day. “Our work is often behind the scenes, so it was great to pull back the curtain and share this team effort between the Navy and our community partners.”
Mālama ʻĀina Day helps set the foundation for developing connections that support critical efforts for environmental protection and compliance throughout the year.
“Environmental protection is an everyday mission for us,” said Pacific Missile Range Facility Commanding Officer Capt. Robert Prince in the Facebook post. “It is more than meeting a requirement, it ensures sustainable training environments for our personnel while providing ecological and historical value to the land we share.”
Environmental protection does not stop at the fence line.
Whether it involves protecting local watersheds and farmlands, supporting environmental agencies with data collection, installing West Kauaʻi’s largest solar farm or managing native wildlife programs, the health of the environment is a shared community effort.
“It’s inspiring to see these students connect with the complex environmental work we do on base,” Prince said. “Our goal is to show them that protecting our island’s natural resources is a vital, specialized mission that requires all of us working together.”
Pacific Missile Range Facility remains committed to being a leader in island conservation and dedicated partner to its surrounding community in West Kauaʻi.
The installation’s Natural Resources Department thanks the following agencies for their participation in 2026 Mālama ʻĀina Day:
- Aloun Farms.
- Applied Energy Services.
- Kauaʻi County Division of Solid Waste.
- Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatics Resources.
- Kauaʻi Forestry Bird Restoration Project.
- Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative.
- Koa Lani.
- Pacific Birds.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands Fire Department.
- Pacific Missile Range Facility Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
- Pacific Missile Range Facility personnel who contributed to the success of the event.
Visit the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands website for additional information about the U.S. Navy installation as well as its conservation and environmental stewardship efforts and initiatives.
Courtesy Photo: Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands Facebook page- Courtesy Photo: Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands Facebook page
- Courtesy Photo: Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands Facebook page
