By Oahu Volunteer Coordinator and Advisory Board Member Temple Liebmann

Some dives take patience, planning, and a little bit of courage — and our cleanup at Hālona Cove on February 28 was exactly that kind of dive.

Our team arrived before sunrise at 5:45 AM, setting up in the dark along the cliffs on the windward side of Oahu near the famous Hālona Blowhole. As the first light started to come up over the ocean, divers were already gearing up and preparing for one of the more challenging dive sites we work.

Hālona Cove is not an easy place to plan a cleanup. Conditions there have to be just right. The surge, currents, and entry point can make the site dangerous if the ocean isn’t cooperating — and most of the time, it doesn’t. But Gary Liebmann, our fearless dive leader, had been watching this location closely for a while. After scouting the site the afternoon before, he felt Saturday morning might give us the rare window we needed. The call went out to the team — and our divers showed up.

Our dive team included Eduardo Abreau, Morgan Abreau, Chandler Bosch, James Delecki, Elena Dobrica, Gary Liebmann, Bill Metzler, Dan Okimura, Ed Siseno, and Rose Zhang with me providing topside support.

Getting to the water is half the challenge at Hālona. All of the heavy dive gear and equipment had to be carefully carried down the rocky cliff face to the entry point below. Once everyone was assembled, Gary gave a detailed dive briefing, walking the team through the plan for the dive and carefully outlining the risks associated with this particular site.

We were also incredibly fortunate to have support from a new partner — Steven Morrison, owner of Hawaii DPV Rental. His company rents DPVs (Diver Propulsion Vehicles). Knowing how surgy this location can be, Steven generously brought five additional DPVs for the team at no cost, ensuring every diver had one. A huge thanks to Steve! Having that extra propulsion made a huge difference, allowing the divers to move safely and efficiently through the surge and ensuring everyone would have the power needed for a safe return. You can find Steve on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiidpv/

See our two divers (below) holding their DPVs:

Once the divers entered the water, it didn’t take long to realize why this site had been on Gary’s radar.

The reef held a “treasure trove” of debris. As the divers worked the area, they began sending up pile after pile of recovered trash. By the end of the dive the team had removed approximately 1,500 yards of fishing line, along with plastics, lead weights, tin cans, and some surprising finds — including four folding chairs that had somehow made their way into the ocean.

Despite the hard work, the dive also delivered some incredible moments underwater. Divers reported seeing an eagle ray gliding through the reef along with plenty of tropical fish life thriving below the surface.

After hauling the debris back up the cliffs and getting everything cleaned up, the team wrapped up the morning the best way possible — heading over to Koa Pancake House for a well-earned breakfast. Over pancakes and coffee, the crew swapped stories about the dive, the wildlife encounters, and the massive haul of debris pulled from the reef.

ODA Oahu Crew with their "Catch of the Day"!

It was a challenging dive, but one that perfectly represents what Ocean Defenders Alliance Hawaiʻi is all about: dedicated volunteers, careful planning, and a shared commitment to protecting our ocean — no matter how early the start or how tough the conditions.

Another reef made safer, and another reminder that teamwork can remove even the most stubborn ocean debris.

Did you ever think about volunteering to help remove ocean debris?

Visit this page to explore the ways to get involved.