This spring, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP), supported through IBSS, completed a 16-day fly-in removal mission to Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The mission’s goal was ambitious: remove 50,000 pounds of marine debris and help restore hundreds of acres of critical coral reef habitat. We are honored to share that the team exceeded that goal. By the end of the mission, PMDP had removed 51,475 pounds of marine debris from Kuaihelani.
Protecting Wildlife and Fragile Ecosystems
Marine debris is more than an environmental nuisance. In Papahānaumokuākea, discarded fishing nets, plastics, and other debris create dangerous entanglement hazards for wildlife and damage sensitive reef systems. PMDP works to reduce these threats to species including the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal, threatened Hawaiian green sea turtle, threatened humpback whale, protected seabirds, and fragile coral reef ecosystems. Working in shallow reef environments through breath-hold snorkeling and shoreline operations, crews removed debris that can persist for years, trapping marine life, damaging habitats, and contributing to ecosystem decline.
A Mission Measured in Impact
Over the course of the mission, the crew worked across shoreline and reef environments to remove debris from one of the Pacific’s most ecologically important locations.
Mission results included:
- 51,475 pounds of marine debris removed
- 50,000 pounds cleared from 9 miles of shoreline
- 1,475 pounds of nets removed directly from reef environments
- 25,745 pounds of fishing net recovered
- 24,125 pounds of plastic removed
- 134 supersacks filled with recovered debris
One of the most heavily impacted sites encountered during the mission was Cargo Beach on Sand Island, where crews removed 4,270 pounds of debris from a shoreline less than one-tenth of a mile long. The scale of accumulation offers a stark reminder of the growing challenges facing marine environments, but also of what dedicated, coordinated restoration work can accomplish.
The Team Behind the Mission
All participating field staff on the Kuaihelani mission were PMDP employees contracted through IBSS. The 2026 mission crew included: Kevin O’Brien, James Morioka, Lauren Fraser, Derek Levault, Andy Sullivan-Haskins, Kau’i Aguiar, Kamali’i Andrade, Kala’i Sim, Sydney Luitgaarden, Charlotte Frank, Matt McDole, JJ Freier, Charlie Bond, and Kahealani Muraoka.
In the final days of the mission, the team was joined by valued partners Solomon “Uncle Sol” Pili Kahoʻohalahala, Sheila Sarhangi, and Kaʻehukai Goin, whose efforts helped push the mission beyond its original removal goal. Thank you to everyone who helped make this mission possible.
Stewardship Through Action
Work in remote marine environments demands planning, resilience, technical expertise, and a shared commitment to stewardship. From breaking down field operations to hauling thousands of pounds of debris from shorelines and reefs, missions like Kuaihelani reflect the dedication of teams working to protect irreplaceable natural resources.
At IBSS, we are proud to support the people and programs making this work possible. With additional missions planned later this year, PMDP continues its important work to reduce marine debris impacts, restore habitat, and protect the wildlife and ecosystems that depend on healthy oceans.
About IBSS
Since 1992, IBSS, a woman-owned small business, has provided transformational consulting services to the Federal defense, civilian, and commercial sectors. Our services include environmental science and engineering (including oceans, coasts, weather, and satellite), cybersecurity and enterprise information technology, and professional management services.
IBSS is committed to service excellence – to our clients, employees, partners, and the global community as a whole. We proactively create value through science, technology, innovation, agility, and adaptability.
Keywords: PMDP, Clean up efforts, Environmental Stewardship, Marine Habitats
