Earth Day 2023 – What you need to know

Our biggest event of the year, the annual SCH Earth Day Cleanup Festival, is right around the corner. Join us on Sunday, April 23rd from 9a - 3p for a day at Waimānalo Beach Park for a beach cleanup, native plant restoration, live music, free food, workshops, and more!

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1) Where do I register, and is registration required?

You can pre-register for the event here. Pre-registration is greatly appreciated and helps us know what to expect and how to prepare. When you pre-register, you will get a QR code sent to your email for check-in. Please have your QR Code out and ready when you get to the event to make the process go by as quickly as possible! If you do not pre-register, you will be able to register at the event! The registration line does tend to move a little slower.

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2) What do I need to bring?

***We will be adding to this list as we get closer to the event!

Essentials:

1. Reusable water bottle. We will have a refill station at the event, as well as a water fountain on site
2. Reef-safe sunblock (zinc-based sunscreen, hat, long sleeve, etc.)
3. Snacks if you tend to get hungry (there will be a free lunch provided)
4. Your 'Ohana! This is a keiki-to-kupuna friendly event. Bring someone with you that has never been to a beach cleanup!

Non-essentials: 

1. A T-shirt for our LIVE screen printing (see details below)
2. Toys, jewelry, dishes, and soil from home gardens or play areas for lead testing (more details below)
3. BYO utensils and container – Full Cycle Takeout will provide reusables for lunch, but a plus if you can bring your own!
4. Non-perishable food and clothing for a donation drive

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3) What should I wear?

If you plan on participating in the cleanup, you can wear anything that is comfortable to walk around on the beach and sit in the sand. If you want to participate in the native plant restoration, we would recommend wearing clothes toed shoes and something you don't mind getting a little bit of dirt on. Keep in mind, it will be warm. Lastly, if you have gloves please bring them! We will have reusable gloves, but tend to run out at events of this size.

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4) What time should I get there?

Check in is from 8:30a - 9:15a. We'll have a yoga class and some activities for you after you're all checked in. Yoga is from 8 - 8:45a for our early birds.

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5) What is the schedule like for the day?

8:30 - 9:15a: Check in

9:15-9:30a: Announcements and group photo

9:30/9:45a: Volunteer activities start

10a - 12p: Beach cleanup, plant restoration, sustainability workshops, and nonprofit booths open

12p: Free locally-sourced lunch is served

11a - 2p: Live music

3p: Pau!

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6) Is there parking?

You can park at Waimānalo Beach Park. You will be able to park in the grass, but please avoid parking on the baseball field. We highly encourage you to carpool as parking is somewhat limited.

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7) What are the volunteer activities I can choose from?

You can choose 1 of 3 activities.

1. Beach cleanup – sift microplastics at the beach park! Great for people of all ages and abilities.
2. Restoration at Muliwaiʻōlena – remove invasives, plant natives, and build up the dune! Recommended for those looking to explore the proactive side of coastal protection, and who are ok with a bit of dirt on your hands.
3. Heavy duty cleanup at Nation of Hawaiʻi – clean up and haul out large debris and rusty metal in partnership with The Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawaiʻi. We have a limited capacity for this volunteer opportunity. This is not a cleanup suitable for young kids, as it is mostly metal and large items. It is best suited for those who enjoy a bit of heavy lifting and don't mind a little dirt. If you have a truck with four wheel drive and want to lend some service for hauling, please reach out to Rachael@sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org.

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8) Who is playing music?

We are partnering with Mana Maoli to present the following artists. Opening is Kamaha’o Haumea-Thronas and the Mana Maoli Youth Collective. Afterwards we will have a Mana Wahine All-Stars band feat. Chardonnay, Trishnalei, Mindy Smokestack, & Keahi Delovio, as well as a live acoustic set by Hirie!

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9) What workshops and activities will there be? Do I need to register separately for those?

We will have workshops and activities from different businesses/organizations throughout the day. You can sign up for the workshops on the day of the event at their booths.

Live Screen Printing with Moon Kine Tings: Bring a pre-loved T-shirt to get a new SCH design screen printed on it! (please note: prints will not be perfect so refrain from bringing your most loved item. Natural fiber like cotton or bamboo T-shirts will work the best).

Indigo Elixirs workshop: Herbal first aid and plant remedy for everyday ailments workshop. Plus can create your own botanical aftersun spray to take home with you

Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation Seed Planting: Keiki-friendly native seed planting workshop

Chaleiaʻs Lei + Haku workshop: Ti leaf and kupeʻe workshop

Maʻi Movement trade in: Bring your single-use period care items and trade them in for a reusable Saalt cup

Moon Kine Tings Donation Drive: Bring non-perishable food and clothing with you to the event to donate to the houseless community in Waimānalo.

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10) What's for lunch?

After you work up an appetite cleaning the beach or planting native plants, we will have a locally-sourced lunch available. There will be a locally-sourced meat option, as well as a vegan option! Lunch is completely free and will come in reusable containers thanks to Full Cycle Takeout.

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11) I want to sign up my team or group. Can we sign up together, or do we all need to register individually?

That's amazing! We can't wait to see you there. Everyone does need to sign up individually, as this is how they will virtually sign our liability waiver. If you have a big group, please email us at info@sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org and we can discuss faster check in for your team.

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12) I heard there is a lead testing station. What do I need to bring to participate?

In addition to other offerings, you can bring stuff from home or the beach for free testing at the soilSHOP and DOH lead testing station! Test toys, jewelry, dishes, dirt from home gardens or play areas, and more. Find out what is lead-safe and what is not. There is even FREE finger prick lead testing for keiki. For more details see: test4lead.hawaii.gov

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13) Is this event accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs or have hearing impairments?

Our event is designed to be accessible and inclusive to all individuals, including those with disabilities. We are pleased to confirm that we are working with AccesSurf to ensure the beach park is wheelchair accessible, and we have taken care to ensure that individuals who are hearing impaired can fully participate in our event. We will have an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter available on-site to provide interpretation services, and we welcome any attendees who require these services to contact us beforehand so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Our goal is to create an environment that is welcoming and accommodating to all, and we look forward to hosting a truly inclusive event. If you are in need of services not listed here, please reach out to our team and we can work with you.

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14) Do I have to clean the beach to participate in the event?

Nope! If you canʻt make it for the cleanup portion of the event or want to just come for the workshops and live music, please do so! If you come later, please just make sure you check in at the front.

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15) Is this a free event?

Yes! This is a 100% free event – the food, live music, and games will come at no cost to you. We will have some SCH merch available and a few vendors in attendance; however, all proceeds will be donated back to SCH!

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16) Is there a raffle? How do I enter?

Yes! Score some Patagonia gear, SCH merch, or a one night stay at Turtle Bay by entering into the raffle. All you have to do is fill out our volunteer survey during or after the event!