Some volunteers bring heart to the work—Marjorie Zensen brings heart, humor, and her whole family along with her. Since joining Ocean Defenders Alliance in 2020, Marjorie has been a passionate and steadfast presence, showing up with a ready smile and an unwavering commitment to protecting our oceans.

From serving as volunteer coordinator on Oahu to diving into as many cleanups as possible after moving to the Big Island, Marjorie’s dedication has spanned islands and years. She and her husband Mark England volunteer side by side, have invited friends to join in, and worked to educate their community, turning service into a shared mission. Marjorie’s laughter lifts the crew, her leadership strengthens our efforts, and her devotion to ODA continues to make a meaningful difference for marine life and coastal communities alike. We’re honored to celebrate Marjorie as this month’s featured volunteer.

To shed light on Marjorie’s remarkable contributions, ODA Founder and President Kurt Lieber shares his reflections on the energy, leadership, and heart she brings to Ocean Defenders Alliance.

One of the wonderful things about working with people who volunteer their time to a cause they believe in is coming across people who excel your expectations. Marjorie Zensen falls into that category.

When I first met her back in 2019, or thereabouts, she was an experienced diver who seemed to have found an org that fit with her ideals.

Through the intervening years she’s stepped into many roles. She went from being one of a handful of skilled divers who attended any of our underwater cleanups on Oahu, to leading them when our team leader at the time had to step away.

I came to rely on her while she was on Oahu, and things went very smoothly. Let’s be honest. Coordinating an ocean cleanup event can be challenging – from scheduling the boat charters, to rallying volunteers, to ensuring the event is documented, to writing up the field report, and more. Thankfully, Marjorie can multitask all these responsibilities, and on top of that, she has such a calm demeanor about her that she gets the best out of people. No easy task!

In 2024, she and her husband, Mark England, moved over to the Big Island. Both of them are even more dedicated to ODA than they were when on Oahu (if that’s possible!), because Mark has retired and they can both spend time going on our dives.

Even though Marjorie left behind a GREAT legacy on Oahu, she continues to grow and glow. ODA is proud and grateful to have her as part of our family.

Q: What drew your attention to the ocean and when?
A: Shortly after my 5^th birthday I walked off a plane to what would become my childhood home: The island of Bonaire in the Caribbean. The ocean, the beach became my playground, the fish became my friends. A couple years later, in the early 70’s, my parents became SCUBA certified. It wasn’t long before I started begging to become certified, but my dad wanted me to wait until I was older. The begging never stopped but Dad won. Still, I had my snorkel, mask, and fins!

One of my memories as a child, (in 1979) was being told that Bonaire was going to be a protected area and that we had to make sure no corals were taken out and shells with animals were left to live. I didn’t understand the words “marine conservation.” I just remember being told to take extra care. I also remember wondering why this was a thing! Of course I would take care of my ocean! It wasn’t until many years later that I realized that Bonaire’s marine reserve was the first in the Caribbean and became a model for marine conservation. Thus began my ocean journey.

Q: What are your favorite ODA expeditions?

A: For readers of my Oahu articles, my description of the ocean was often “sporty.” I will just say that participating in the cleanups, especially on Oahu, have allowed me to really grow as a diver.

Q: Any funny stories to share from an ODA cleanup?

I guess our cleanups at Pololū Valley have brought some humorous moments. While it was a serious situation that there was SO MUCH abandoned fishing net on the beach, we do have fun as cleanup partners.

We made several return visits to this location to haul all that net up the hill. I have joked that “it was a young person’s job as we had hiked up and down, up and down with 40, 50, 60 pounds on our back!” So, to prove that point, at two different times, I had my children join us for the cleanup…

First my daughter Logan got to experience the joy…

And also, our son Gavin and his (now) wife Kelly. See photo at right.

I told them that their dad and I wanted to take them on a nice little hike to see the views. I guess a parent never stops trying to make chores sound fun!

Another somewhat humorous happening was the time I was trying to get back on the boat in very  rough seas, and  while trying to hand up the Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV), I caught my weight belt in the rope and down 80ft + went my weight belt. At least it wasn’t the DPV) I mean, trying to keep it positive!!! Good thing there's no photos of this "funny" moment!

Q: Have you found any “interesting” debris?

Besides the usual fishing lines, hooks, and nets, the other things we have found are like, well, not good! We found an eel who had wrapped itself in fishing line and we worked to get it free and turtle who had done the same but did figure 8s with fishing line around his fin and neck. This one is crazy, but we found a gun (a Glock) and had to turn it into the police.

People do make fun of our “trash” decorations in our yard!  They remind me to tell a story to our visitors, and hopefully, inspire them to care about the problem of ocean debris.

Q: Why do you like volunteering with ODA?

A: I have always wanted to participate in ocean cleanups. It is just in my DNA, I think. ODA supports exactly what I want to do!

Q: Your husband Mark also volunteers. Can you talk about the positives of volunteering together? Did one or the other start first with ODA or did you both “dive in” at the same time?

Ocean cleanups was on our radar immediately when we moved to Hawaii in 2020. We love volunteering together. We thrive on each other’s energy. It is what we do.

Q: Aside from diving with ODA, where else do you like to dive and why?

Anywhere and everywhere that is warmish. Bonaire will always be my “place,” but I also love Palau, Fiji, Raja Ampat, and of course Hawai’i!

Q: Why do you think it's important for people to support ODA?

Sylvia Earle puts it pretty clearly. “Without the blue there is no green.” We have a responsibility to care for the land and the sea. In Hawaiian the word we might use is “malama.” While it is a way of life for Mark and me (“every dive is a cleanup dive!”) ODA helps us to clean up the ocean on a much, much larger scale (see past ODA articles!). And we cannot do that without financial support!

Check out Majorie sharing her story with us:

Marjorie’s journey reminds us that ocean stewardship can become a way of life—one that ripples outward through families, friendships, and entire communities. By giving her time, sharing her laughter, and inviting her loved ones to serve alongside her, she shows how caring for the sea can unite generations around a common purpose. Her leadership across islands and her unwavering involvement demonstrate that no matter where we live, we all have a role to play in defending our blue planet.

We hope Marjorie’s story inspires you to take that next step—join a cleanup, bring a family member or friend, or support the mission in whatever way you can. When people like Marjorie lead with heart and action, meaningful change follows—and together, we can continue building a stronger, more connected community of ocean defenders.

Take a moment to explore Marjorie’s photo gallery below and see her dedication in action.