Navy Steers Hundreds in Environmental Bike Path Sweep

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- More than 200 Pearl Harbor-based Sailors joined forces with the community to remove over fine tons of burnable trash and bulky recyclables in the Fourth Annual Pearl Harbor Bike Path Cleanup April 17.

Sponsored by the city and county of Honolulu's Department of Environment Services, the effort targeted several key areas along the nearly 14-mile bike path, which runs through three communities along the Pearl Harbor Basin, to include Aiea, Pearl City and Waipahu.

U.S. Navy volunteers from numerous commands in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam stretched out along the bike path as they gathered bulky debris and litter, including old tires, metals, car batteries and other debris. In addition, Sailors worked alongside students from Waipahu High School to plant native plants in place of invasive weeds along Kapakahi Stream in Waipahu. Navy personnel and students also stenciled about 150 storm drains to deter illicit dumping.

"We've been having positive feedback, as far as participation," said Jerry Nagatami, a member of the Pearl City Lions Club. "Hopefully, this will be something good for the future, especially here in Waipahu. This [Kapakahi Stream] used to be a waste land. Then we started a project to clean up the whole area. Right now, it's starting to look a little decent."

There were 11 locations along the bike path that were targeted for the cleanup: McGrew Point, Pearl Kai Shopping Center, Best Buy, Neal Blaisdell Park, Hawaiian Electric Company, Lehua Avenue, Leeward Community College, Waipahu High School, Ted Makalena Golf Course, Kapakahi Stream and Pupuole Street Mini Park.

At the Kapakahi Stream location, Sailors like Information Systems Technician 2nd Class (SW) Bri Gamiao dredged up large bulky items like plastic buckets, tires and televisions.

"Why would anybody put a TV in the river in the first place?" asked Gamiao, who is assigned to USS O'Kane (DDG 77). "But it's cool taking stuff out that doesn't below there."

Chief Fire Controlman (SW) Rito Baca, also assigned to O'Kane, also enjoyed giving back to the community, as he brought his family to the community project three years in a row.

"I like it a lot," said Baca, as he planted papyruses along Kapakahi Stream. "I think it is good for all the military members to come and show support. It was pretty easy, and it was actually pretty fun."

"The annual Pearl Harbor bike path cleanup is the largest cleanup effort of the year for the Navy and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam," said Grace Hew Len, environmental public affairs officer for Navy Region Hawaii.

"By partnering with the City & County and other members of the community, we instill a respect for the waters that flow into Pearl Harbor and the importance of an environmental ethic that promotes action and long-term environmental stewardship," said Len.

The Navy has been active partners with the city since 2005 and participates in several Adopt-a-Block and Adopt-a-Stream projects throughout the year.

Since 1970, April has been traditionally observed as Earth Month and designated as a time for many to become more environmentally conscious. The Navy has been involved in several environmental stewardship efforts, both ashore and at sea.