In April, volunteer staff and participants from the Judiciary’s specialty courts partnered with Mālama Maunalua to combat invasive alien algae threatening the health of Maunalua Bay’s marine ecosystem.

The bay has suffered extensive damage due to invasive algae, polluted runoff, sediment buildup, and other environmental stressors. On April 11, a dozen participants from Adult Drug Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Treatment Court joined 14 specialty court employees in wading through nearshore waters, pulling invasive algae from the seabed by hand.

The event supported Mālama Maunalua’s mission to rehabilitate the bay while also giving specialty court participants a meaningful opportunity to connect with one another, find purpose in service, and give back to the community.

According to Mālama Maunalua, it has removed four million pounds of invasive algae and engaged more than 37,000 volunteers and 21,000 students in restoration education efforts.