By Oahu Volunteer Coordinator and Advisory Board Member Temple Liebmann
With a small but mighty crew consisting of myself, Temple Liebmann, Gary Liebmann (our fearless dive leader), Bill Metzler (one of our most loyal volunteers), and David Marcelli (our newest addition to our permit at Hanauma Bay), we headed out on April 26th for a cleanup dive in the beautiful waters of Hanauma Bay.
Gorgeous scenic Hanauma Bay as photographed by Temple on March 25, 2025.
We arrived bright and early at 6:30am, loaded up all of our gear into wagons, and made our way to the trucks that would transport our equipment down into the bay. Once there, we geared up and headed out.
It was a beautiful morning — clear skies, calm seas, and a gentle breeze, with the forecast predicting sunny conditions and temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s. When we reached the shoreline, the tide was at its lowest point and just beginning to come in, causing low visibility underwater.
Despite the conditions, we decided to swim out to the "Toilet Bowl" side of the bay — a longer swim, but well worth the effort. Once there, we located and removed several pieces of abandoned fishing gear. Our team recovered approximately 15 feet of rebar, about 10 feet of fishing nets, 300 feet of fishing line, and roughly 10 pounds of fishing weights.
ODA is the only non-governmental organization ever granted a special permit to clean this protected marine area. We are honored and grateful to be given this opportunity.
Hanauma Bay is one of Hawaii’s most treasured natural resources, a designated Marine Life Conservation District and a Marine Education Center. Formed within a volcanic cone, the bay is home to a vibrant coral reef ecosystem that supports hundreds of species of marine life, many of which are found only in Hawaiian waters. In order to protect this fragile environment, fishing and collecting are prohibited, and conservation efforts are strictly enforced.
Despite these protections, marine debris — especially fishing gear — can still threaten the health of the reef and its inhabitants. That's why regular cleanups like ours are so critical to preserving the bay’s delicate balance.
We are proud to play a part in protecting our amazing oceans of Oahu, but we can’t do it alone. If you are passionate about ocean conservation and want to make a difference, we invite you to join us on future cleanups or help us from right where you are with a donation to keep this cleanup work going. Together, we can help ensure that Oahu waters remain a thriving sanctuary for marine life — and a place of wonder for generations to come.
Interested in volunteering? Contact us to get involved!
