Cleaning Up Kailua Bay: A Triumph on Earth Day

On Earth Day, April 22nd, 2024, Body Glove Cruises teamed up with Blue Ocean Mariculture (BOM) and Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) to undertake a monumental ocean cleanup effort in Kailua Bay. Over weeks of preparation, divers and snorkelers united to remove 61 large tires, transforming the bay’s underwater landscape. This collaborative mission not only cleared toxic debris from the ocean, but also underscored the power of the community action in preserving marine environments. Since this inspiring event, the Kailua Bay has been officially adopted by Body Glove through PADI’s Adopt a Blue program! Furthering our commitment to continually cleaning the bay and ridding it of the large debris that has been scattered there for years. 

Snorkeler volunteer, Milo Giorgio, free dives down to check on the tires hanging from a lift bag at the surface. Safety was a top priority on this ocean cleanup mission. Photo by Mikena Shay (Body Glove).

The spirit of environmental stewardship was alive and well in Kailua Bay on Earth Day. Body Glove Cruises, in collaboration with Blue Ocean Mariculture (BOM) and Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA), embarked on a mission to rid the bay of tires that had long marred its beauty. A long, strenuous, dangerous day laid ahead of the 38 volunteers, but their determination did not waver in this ocean cleanup.

In the month leading up to this significant day, meticulous preparations were made to ensure the success of this cleanup mission. Body Glove’s Operations Manager, Jeremie Betts, knew that this undertaking was going to need some prep-dives if we were going to even come close to removing our goal of 68 tires. The dedicated team from Body Glove’s boat, “Baby Glove”, conducted initial dives to assess the area, bundle tires, remove chains with underwater grinders, and clear other debris scattered among the reef. The underwater mooring that held the the dive boat on the big day of removal was also made during the prep-dives. This preparatory work was crucial in setting the stage for the main event.

Body Glove’s Sustainability Coordinator, Mikena Shay, fills a lift bag to move a tire to a larger bundle on one of the prep-dives. Photo by Jeff Milisen (ODA).

When Earth Day arrived, a united force of snorkelers and divers rallied to tackle the task at hand. Snorkelers aboard Body Glove’s Kanoa II joined forces with divers from the vessel “Tanks A Lot”.  As divers descended into the depths, tires soon began to surface, buoyed by lift bags. Snorkelers swiftly gathered these tires, securing them to the Kanoa II, where BOM stood ready to crane them out of the water.

Over the course of three strenuous hours, tires of all sizes emerged from the depths – some singly, others in clusters, with the largest cluster consisting of 11 tires that had been pre-bundled in the prep-dives. To make things more interesting, these weren’t your average car tires; most were hefty semi-truck tires, and a few even belonged to airplanes!

One of the scuba divers fills the lift bag that will bring the last large bundle of tires to the surface. Photo by Mikena Shay (Body Glove).

As the final tires were brought to the surface, divers looked around, moved by the sight of a now clean and empty reef. The transformation was emotional, knowing that just hours before, these toxic tires had marred the underwater landscape.

The team eagerly awaited the final count. At Honokohau Harbor, as BOM craned the tires off their vessel and into Junk Authority Hawaii’s trailer for disposal, the tires were meticulously counted. The grand total? Sixty one tires – a testament to the collective effort and determination of everyone involved. It was a moment of immense pride and accomplishment

This monumental effort wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering dedication of Body Glove’s partners – Blue Ocean Mariculture, Ocean Defenders Alliance, and Junk Authority Hawai’i. Body Glove extends a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer, and a special thank you to our crew members who participated. Inspiring each other to continue the mission of preserving the reef.

Scuba divers work to fill a lift bag and carefully remove a tire from the reef, among a field of many others. Photo by Mikena Shay (Body Glove).

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Body Glove’s determination remains steadfast. They are committed to restoring Kailua Bay, ensuring a healthier habitat for marine life, and paving the way for a cleaner, more vibrant ocean for generations to come.

Want to get involved? Join Body Glove in their Clean Seas Initiative and get involved in one of our regular cleanups! We offer a Super-Raft Snorkel and Ocean Cleanup Tour once a month, or follow us on social media to stay up to date on other future ocean cleanups you can get involved in with us.

Scuba diver fills a lift bag attached to a bundle of around 7 tires and send it to the surface. Photo by Mikena Shay (Body Glove).