A visitor to remote Donkey Beach would have been surprised at the scene playing out in the sand and the rain Sunday morning. They would have seen more than 50 backs bent, cutting trees and collecting trash. The outing was
A visitor to remote Donkey Beach would have been surprised at the scene playing out in the sand and the rain Sunday morning.
They would have seen more than 50 backs bent, cutting trees and collecting trash.
The outing was a joint affair featuring cleanup labor by Kaua’i County Mayor Maryanne Kusaka and various citizens, including a contingent of Kaua’i Fil-Am Jaycees led by their president, Carmen Centeno.
Approximately 60 people braved an uncharacteristically wet day to reach Donkey Beach, north of Kealia Beach, by 8:30 in the morning. Cleanup work continued into the afternoon.
“There was a whole lot of trash to be picked up,” said county spokeswoman Beth Tokioka, one of the workers.
“The beach and vegetation areas near the beach were cleaned of debris. There were many many pockets of rubbish – cans, bottles, and plastic containers. In all, 45 bags of rubbish was hauled away,” Tokioka added.
The vegetation in the area was trimmed, as well. In the process, old rubbish that came into view was also taken away.
Tokioka noted that all the volunteers brought their own gloves, saws and machetes for the cleanup.
“This beach is very popular with residents and visitors, and it was in terrible condition. It’s a beautiful beach, but it’s abused by those who use it. This is the first time we’ve had a Ho’olokahi cleanup there, and it was a great success,” Kusaka said.
Centeno said this was the Fil-Am Jaycees’ first community beautification effort of the year, but not their last.
“We are planning other projects for the future,” Centeno said.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
