HWF Marine Debris Research Supports International Pacific Eel Trap Fishery Study
HWF team members co-authored a landmark study tracing North Pacific eel trap debris to its source — and pointing toward real, multinational solutions.
Manu Kai of the Pacific: HWF Joins the Pacific Seabird Group 2026 Annual Meeting!
Last month, our team had the exciting opportunity to join researchers, conservationists, and seabird enthusiasts from across the Pacific at the Pacific Seabird Group 2026 Annual Meeting. This year's theme — "Seabirds: Connecting Oceans, Islands, and People" — was a reminder that the health of seabirds is deeply intertwined with the status of our oceans, our islands, and our own communities.
Partner Highlight: Our Pristine Makai program partnership with the SCP Hilo Hotel!
When SCP Hilo Hotel opened its doors in June 2020, they didn't just welcome guests—they launched a groundbreaking commitment to ocean conservation. Through the Pristine Makai Partnership with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, every overnight stay at the hotel directly supports the removal of marine debris from Hawaiʻi Island's remote beaches.
“Training the Trainers” on microplastic pollution at the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Discovery Center!
To help combat the alarming problem of microplastic pollution in our oceans, we were excited to host Dr. Sean Anderson to "train our trainers" last January at the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Discovery Center!
HWF Internship Story: Joshua Landkamer
Check out this internship essay from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund summer 2024 intern, Joshua Landkamer, describing his experience working with the Hawaiʻi Island HWF team.
NET SUCCESS – HWF teams up with community members and state to help clean our coastline!
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund (HWF) has been an active partner with the state DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources’ “Rapid Response” program to help remove large derelict fishing net bundles from Hawaiʻi Island shorelines since 2023.
Embracing ʻĀina: My Journey with HWF (Intern Story by Mike Stone)
Mike Stone was a graduate student working with HWF during his internship within the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Master’s program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo from Fall 2019 to Fall 2021. During this time, Mike worked with HWF’s Megan Lamson (as his graduate advisor) and completed over 700 volunteer hours with HWF and focused on a brand audit study for marine debris collected in Kaʻū from 2013-2021. We are so appreciative of his amazing contribution to HWF.
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund reaches a milestone in its Hawai‘i Large Debris Recovery Partnership
With funding and support from the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA), Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund recently reached a major milestone in its collaborative project with the Surfrider Foundation (Kauaʻi Chapter), SHARKastics, and many other community partners. During this extensive two-year project across three Hawaiian Islands, we collaboratively hosted a total of 390 debris-removal activities and we recovered 61.0 metric tons (134,423 pounds) of marine debris!
Kaʻū Scholarship Essay by Derek Lang (Hawaiian Monk Seal)
My Favorite Wildlife Species written by Kaʻū Wildlife Scholarship Recipient #2. In May 2023, HWF offered ten scholarships to recent high school graduates with ties to Kaʻū (thanks to funding from a private foundation).
2023 International Coastal Cleanup on Hawaiʻi Island a Net Success
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, Sea Cleaners NZ, Clean Rewards, Keep Puakō Beautiful and the Marine Option Program at the University of Hawaiʻi - Hilo all team up to clean up coastlines across Hawaiʻi Island for the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) event in September 2023. Read more about this "net" success in the full story!
