Waves broke in the harbor channel. Volunteers picked up 4 large bags of trash from the Lahaina Harbor. It was the largest north swell of the winter season so far and the first Blue'Aina of 2016. Captain Katie motored Trilogy's 101-ton luxury catamaran to Club Lanai with 61 guests, Blue' Crew, and new crew volunteers. Volunteers enjoyed hot coffee from Mr. Sub (aka Luis Fuentes), our food sponsor and mainstay for Trilogy's traditional cinnamon rolls on the westside. West Maui Improvement Foundation was the recipient of a $1000 donation from Joe Pluta Realty, the corporate sponsor of the reef clean up event. Joe Pluta has championed projects on the westside, from human services to beach clean-ups. At Club Lanai, volunteers inspected a nearly pristine reef in terms of trash. Little girls jumped off the side of the boat and less frequent snorkelers were lured into the water by shallow coral and great visibility. Two old mask and snorkels were rescued from the ocean floor as trash.

Robin from NOAA's Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary taught us all about water quality and Trilogy crew deployed and explained the manta trawl used to monitor microplastics.

On the return to Lahaina, humpbacks played in the 'Au'Au Channel. Far from shy, one whale stalled mid-dive with peduncle hanging overhead for long moments while cameras and phones captured every moment.

It was another great Blue'Aina harbor and reef clean up with Trilogy. A big mahalo goes out to our wonderful sponsors, volunteers, crew and nonprofit recipients in the Blue'Aina Campaign! Please join us on our next adventure February 21 when we team up with Montage, Sea House, and Charity Walk for our next reef clean up sail. Call 408-569-7986 or email blueainareservations@gmail.com to make a reservation.