Hawaii Volunteers Clean Storm-Battered Kaiaka Bay Beach

When back-to-back storms left Kaiaka Bay covered in debris and brown water, dozens of volunteers grabbed gloves and got to work cleaning up their community.

The North Shore beach took a massive hit from Kona low storms in March 2026, with at least two major streams dumping runoff and debris directly into the bay. Volunteers from One Ocean Diving organized the Tuesday cleanup after spending their weekend helping residents clear damaged homes.

"We got hit so hard by this, people lost everything, so it's really heartwarming to see everyone come together," said Sky Petrilla from One Ocean Diving. Volunteer Amiya Tennant echoed the sentiment: "So many people need so much help right now, so even if it's such a small thing like coming to the beach and picking up some trash, that's better than nothing."

The debris isn't just branches and mud. Volunteers found needles, trash cans, plastic, and cans that pose serious threats to Hawaii's coral reefs and marine life like sharks and turtles.

The Ripple Effect

The cleanup effort sparked an unexpected response from Hawaii's medical community. Recognizing that volunteers faced health risks from mold exposure and flood-related illnesses like leptospirosis, the John A. Burns School of Medicine deployed its HOME Project to the North Shore.

Medical teams set up free treatment stations at Alii Beach Park, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Saturday. They treated 25 people on Monday and 12 more on Tuesday for respiratory concerns and other cleanup-related health issues.

"With the cleanup, a lot of people might start getting exposed to mold, and so that might bring up some respiratory concerns," said Dr. Jill Omori, the project's executive director. Honolulu Emergency Services joined the effort, helping people get checked out on-site instead of calling 911.

The services are completely free for everyone. Medication is available for those who need it, and no one is turned away.

Governor Josh Green praised the community response as "aloha in action," watching neighbors support neighbors through one of the hardest times many have experienced. Volunteers like Tennant know the work isn't easy, but they're committed: "Just taking it day by day, taking inquiries about people who need help so we can have our crews go out there."

When disaster strikes, Hawaii's spirit of aloha shines brightest in the hands that reach out to help.