Oahu’s North Shore
At Captain Bruce, our love for the ocean goes beyond the horizon of our boat tours. Every year on Earth Day (April 22), we join with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii to give back to the islands that give us so much.
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
While our tradition usually takes us to Bellows in Waimanalo, 2026 called for a change of course. Following the devastating floods that hit the North Shore this past March, our mission took us to a place that is as beautiful as it is vulnerable: the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge.
A Hidden Sanctuary Facing a Plastic Crisis
Located in Kahuku, the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge is a restricted sanctuary for Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds and green sea turtles. It is a “hidden gem” in the truest sense—normally closed to the public except for exclusive guided Saturday tours.
However, there is a heartbreaking irony to this sanctuary. Despite being protected, its coastline acts as a net for Pacific plastic. It is infamous for having so much marine debris that the sand can become invisible under the layers of trash. For 12 years, dedicated local crews have spent every Saturday cleaning this beach just to keep it from disappearing under plastic.
Climate Watch: Why 2026 is a Critical Year
As we gathered on the sand, the conversation wasn’t just about trash—it was about the shifting climate.
- The Transition: Hawaii has just moved out of a long La Niña cycle.
- The Forecast: There is a 60% chance of El Niño developing by Summer 2026.
- The Concern: El Niño often brings increased tropical cyclone activity and extreme heat. Experts warn that 2026 could become the hottest year on record.
With these rising stakes, protecting our coastlines isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about building resilience for Hawaii’s ecosystem.
Malama Hawaii: A Call to Our Visitors
Looking around at the volunteers, we saw families with toddlers, local students, and couples. But we noticed a missing link: the traveler.
In Hawaii, we live by the value of Mālama—to care for and protect. While North Shore recovery is ongoing, we want to invite our visitors to be part of the solution.
Why join a beach clean-up on your vacation?
- Access: Visit restricted areas like James Campbell Refuge that most tourists never see.
- Community: Eat lunch with locals (the food is usually great and free!) and hear the real stories of the island.
- Impact: Leave the islands better than you found them.
Join Us for the Next One
Whether you are a resident or visiting the islands for the first time, there is a place for you in this movement.
The floods of March 2026 showed us how fragile our paradise can be, but the Earth Day turnout showed us how strong our community is. Next time you’re on the island, don’t just see the sea—save it with us.
Mahalo for being part of our mission.
Every day is Earth Day!
Mahalo to @SustainableCoastlinesHawaii
To learn more or join such activities, visit Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i’s website.
https://sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org
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