Robert Spangler and Cathy Toda receive a certificate of recognition and some schwag from Highways Maui District in appreciation of their nearly 20 years of service to Maui’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Highways Maui District Courtesy photo

The No Ka Oi Highway Hui Adopt-A-Highway award was recently awarded to Cathy Toda and Robert Spangler of Maui. For nearly 20 years, the two have served the community and they were recently recognized for their actions, according to a press release.

The award was given to the two Maui residents after they helped clean a two-mile section of Haleakala Crater Road, a rural stretch of switchbacks located approximately 4,000 feet to 4,600 feet above sea level.

“It’s love for the neighborhood,” Toda said, when asked about her volunteerism in the Adopt-A-Highway program. “We drive our mule or the truck and we go up and do our thing and we just really enjoy it. We take pride in the area and want to revere Mt. Haleakala.”

While Adopt-A-Highway groups commit to conducting four cleanups a year, Toda and Spangler have been picking up trash along their adopted route monthly. The proactive approach to cleaning the highways is one of the reasons the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Maui District wanted to recognize their diligent public service.

“Regardless of whether our Adopt-A-Highway groups consist of two persons or two dozen plus volunteers, we’re grateful to each and every one of them for their individual and collective contributions,” said Ty Fukuroku, program manager of Environmental Management, Highways Maui District. “We’re very pleased to recognize Ms. Toda and Mr. Spangler for their dedication to their community and environment.”

Adopt-A-Highway is a public service program that works with volunteers to remove trash from along Hawaii’s state highways and help prevent litter and other pollutants from blowing or flowing into the ocean and other bodies of water. Volunteer groups commit to adopting a two-mile segment of a state highway for a minimum of two years, pick up litter on their section of the highway at least four times per year, and undergo safety training before each cleanup event.

Organizations in Maui County interested in signing up for Adopt-A-Highway can search for available highway segments at Highways Maui District’s stormwater website, www.stormwatermaui.com.