At Hele Mua, our cleanups are more than community service — they’re about connection. Each place we visit carries its own moʻolelo (story), shaped by generations of people. Through these stories, we rediscover why caring for our environment is an act of kuleana — responsibility and respect.

Our “About Our Islands” pages share the deeper context behind our cleanup sites.
When you scan the QR codes at our events, you’ll find short stories, cultural insights, and historical facts about the area — written to help you see Hawaiʻi the way our kupuna did: as a living system of relationships.

Explore Our Education Pages

Makiki
Makiki, Oʻahu is where Hele Mua’s founder grew up. It’s home — and the place that shaped the values behind our work today. Hele Mua adopted Wilder Avenue through the City and County of Honolulu’s Adopt-A-Block program to help care for the neighborhood.

Learn where Makiki got its name, how the area has changed over time, and the stories behind the people and streets that make up this community.

Waimānalo
The ahupuaʻa (land division) of Waimanalo is where we host most of our beach cleanups. It’s a place we return to often — for its beauty, history, and meaning.

Here, you can learn about the history of the area, its cultural importance, and why the name Hunananiho holds such significance for the community.

Microplastic Pollution
Even the smallest things can make a big impact.

Learn how microplastics end up on Hawaiʻi’s beaches, how we sort and study them during cleanups, and what we can all do to help protect our coastlines.