For more than two decades, members of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s Molokaʻi Chapter have helped protect their island by removing unsightly and environmentally damaging trash along Maunaloa Highway.

Due to its sustained dedication, the chapter received the Adopt-A-Highway No Ka Oi Highway Hui Award from the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Highways Division – Maui District (HWY-M). The chapter is the first from Molokaʻi to receive the award.

“HSTA Molokai’s adopted section of highway runs near Kaunakakai Harbor, and if you’ve ever enjoyed how naturally beautiful that area is, Molokai’s teachers certainly deserve credit for helping to keep it that way,” said Ty Fukuroku, program manager, Environmental Management, HWY-M.

HSTA Molokai Chapter President Tes Kaulia acknowledged the contributions of her fellow teacher, community members and former HSTA Molokai Chapter presidents for their volunteerism and years of involvement with the Adopt-A-Highway program.

“I’d like to recognize all the HSTA members who gave of their time on the weekends to meet up with their colleagues from various schools on our island to clean up our highways,” Kaulia said. “I also would like to recognize other individuals who are not a part of our HSTA Molokai Chapter but are always alongside the highway picking up trash going into our small Kaunakakai town.”

Check out their feature in Maui Now!