Mission to a Million Pounds
Since 2020, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) has been conducting large-scale marine debris cleanup operations at the remote and uninhabited islands of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands).
As of July 2024, our small team of hardworking divers has removed over 785,000 pounds (392 tons) of ghost net, fishing gear and ocean plastics from the sensitive reefs and shorelines of these critically-important Hawaiian islands. The uninhabited islands and reefs of Papahānaumokuākea stretch for over 1,300 miles beyond the main Hawaiian islands, and provide critical habitat to protected seals, turtles, corals and 14 million seabirds.
The team lays atop a portion of the 70,000lbs recently collected from the islands of Kuaihelani in May 2024
On August 3rd, our 16-person cleanup team will depart on the ship for first of two 30-day summer cleanup expeditions, with the goal of removing 215,000 additional pounds- an amount that would put our cumulative impact over the last 4 years at 1 MILLION pounds!
To help us reach this ambitious goal, we are holding a special invite-only event on August 3rd at Aloha Tower Marketplace. The event, which runs from 5:00-8:00 pm, will serve as a combined celebration, fundraiser and send-off for our team as the ship departs directly from the event. Prior to departure, the ship will be offering tours which will provide attendees with the opportunity to meet our team and get a feel for the remote ship-based work that PMDP engages in. That’s not all! Pupus, drinks, entertainment, a special film screening, and remarks from special guests are also part of the evening’s activities!
Event Program:
5:00 PM: Doors Open, Pupus & Drinks, Entertainment
5:30 PM: Ship Tours, Meet the Team
6:00 PM: Special Screening of Salesforce+/Fortune Studios “The Ecopreneurs; PMDP”
6:30 PM: Remarks from PMDP President, Executive Director, & VIP Special Guests
7:00 PM: Blessing and Sunset A Hui Hou as our team sets sail from Aloha Tower
