Laura Jim writes:
The West Hawaiʻi Fishing Line and Cigarette Butt Program—run by Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy’s Marine Studies Program, Keep Puako Beautiful and Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail—launched in April 2022 with just two recycling bins. Today, the program maintains 13 fishing line recycling bins across West Hawaiʻi, including 11 in South Kohala (see map below).
As of December 2025, we have collected and processed 40 km (24.8 miles) of discarded fishing line (monofilament and braided), along with 793 hooks, 362 weights, 241 lures, and 368 swivels.
This effort is made possible by supportive land stewards and dedicated volunteers, including Wendy Noritake (Kapaʻa and Mahukona County Beach Parks) and Rosanne Shanks (Keauhou). For more information on the program please visit our website (https://tinyurl.com/2r9ch4y8)
