2014 has been an incredible year for the Blue'aina program. The growing support from volunteers, corporate and food sponsors has been overwhelming! Trilogy has been able to have over 15 Blue’Aina reef cleanups and has raised over $10,000 for local non-profits!

To celebrate a successful year of reef cleanups, Trilogy decided to have the reef/beach beach clean up on Lana’i. The plan was to clean Manele harbor and the surrounding beach area, snorkel around the reef off the harbor and have a huge lunch party at the Hale. With over 100 volunteers, 2 catamarans and a lot of snorkeling gear, Trilogy loaded the boats and set off to the island of Lana’i. One boat full of our Blue’aina volunteers and members of the American Reef Coalition, the other full of employees from Fleetwood’s on front St, our food sponsor for the trip.

Meanwhile, while en route to Lana’i, we were given the chance to listen to Bud from the Wailea Community Association, our sponsor for the trip. He shared with the group about Wailea Community Association and the goal to make sure visitors and residents enjoy all that Wailea has to offer. From the resorts to the cultural events in the area, the Wailea Community Association supports the preservation of the land and Hawaiian culture.

After arriving at Lana’i, one boat set off to Manele harbor to start working on the beach clean up on land. The other boat  started snorkeling off the coast of Lana’i. Both groups had the chance to snorkel in the clear pristine waters of Lana’i as well as contributing to cleaning up the harbor.

After Snorkeling, the volunteers gathered in the Hale to have lunch. Mick Fleetwoods restaurant, Fleetwood’s on front St donated all the food for lucnh. Gourmet steak and vegetarian sandwich’s, lobster salad and potato salad Trilogy also had a wok going making their famous Yakisoba.

During Lunch, Captain Terry from the American Reef Coalition, Shared with the group about the mission and purpose of ARC (American Reef Coalition) “Mission: To protect marine resources, wilderness and natural areas through a variety of proven methods and by providing support to other nonprofit organizations and government agencies engaged in marine, wilderness and natural area research, conservation and education.” Terry shared with us about his vision to form strategic alliances with both the public and government agencies involved in marine and wilderness conservation to work together to help keep the Hawaiian reefs clean.

After Lunch, learning about Lana’i and Ocean conservation, we all gathered at the harbor to take a huge group photo! It was hard to get everyone in the picture but somehow it all worked out.  The volunteers gathered over 15 bags of trash and debris  as well as big pieces of marine trash, wood, giant springs and random boat parts. Huge Mahalo's to all of our volunteers who give so much to the Blue'Aina cause! Mahalo to Fleetwoods and the Wailea Community Association for funding this amazing trip! We hope to see you all again soon next year on our next Blue'Aina Reef Clean-up!