After the storm in January, piles of debris came down the mountain and ended up on our beaches in Kihei.

I asked to have this stuff removed by either the state or county. Here is what Amy Wirts wrote: (direct quote)

“Thank you for confirming Mary – County Public Works sent someone out to evaluate the situation yesterday – and their assessment was that there is not currently a dangerous condition, it appears as though someone has done some raking and most of the shoreline is clear, although there is still some debris along the beach.

“I recognize that this is likely not the response you were looking for. Public Works did also confirm that for future events they are the appropriate entity and they operate on a complaint-based basis for beach debris.”

Styrofoam, plastic and other small items is just a sample of what is in the debris and believe me, there are pounds of this on the beach. If this stuff gets into the ocean, our green turtles will suffer; it is dangerous to them.

Can anyone help? Currently, the debris is back from the shoreline, but a high tide will bring all that plastic and junk into the near-shore waters.

Some of you might recall that Kam 1 Beach Park was once listed as the Best Beach in the World.

Dr. Mary Trotto

Kihei