Mālama ‘Āina Day at PMRF:
Empowering Students Through
Hands-On Conservation
Students attempt to lift a ball of plastic waste collected from several debris
clean-up efforts in order to guess its weight.
On Friday, April 24, 2026, PMRF hosted its annual Mālama ‘Āina Day, an environmental awareness event that brought together fourth grade students from West Kaua‘i. The event recognized PMRF’s shared responsibility to protect our island resources, while demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s commitment to environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation programs that directly support ongoing mission readiness.
Staff and young learners transformed the Shenanigans parking lot and lawn into a vibrant outdoor classroom. There, PMRF staff biologists and partnering agencies provided interactive learning experiences for more than 190 students in attendance.
“Planet vs. Plastics”
Aligned with this year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” the hands-on presentations covered various topics such as plastic waste recycling, meteorology, wildlife protection, energy conservation, and more. The activities were designed to support the students’ science, energy, and ecology curriculum.
“Seeing the enthusiasm from the students today gives me great confidence in the future of our island’s conservation efforts,” said Brooke McFarland, PMRF natural resources manager. “Our work is often behind the scenes, so it was great to pull back the curtain and share this team effort between the Navy and our community partners."
A Mission Beyond the Fence Line
Mālama ‘Āina Day at PMRF helps set the foundation for developing connections that support critical efforts for environmental protection and compliance throughout the year.
Capt. Robert Prince, PMRF commanding officer, emphasized that environmental stewardship is integral to military operations. “Environmental protection is an everyday mission for us,” Prince said. “It is more than meeting a requirement; it ensures sustainable training environments for our personnel while providing ecological and historical value to the land we share."
He noted that the goal of Mālama ‘Āina Day is to show students that protecting natural resources is a “vital, specialized mission that requires all of us working together."
Students visiting PMRF answer questions about sea life in the waters surrounding Kaua‘i.
Environmental protection does not stop at the fence line. Whether it involves protecting local watersheds and farmlands, supporting environmental agencies with data collection, installing West Kaua‘i’s largest solar farm, or managing native wildlife programs, the health of the environment is a shared community effort. PMRF remains committed to being a leader in island conservation and a dedicated partner to its surrounding community.
The PMRF Natural Resources Department would like to thank the following agencies for their participation in Mālama ‘Āina Day 2026: Aloun Farms, Applied Energy Services, County of Kaua‘i Division of Solid Waste, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatics Resources, Kaua‘i Forest Bird Restoration Project, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Koa Lani, Pacific Birds, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PMRF Fire Department, and PMRF Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.
Kawaikini and KANAKA Visits
Students from KANAKA PCS stand alongside their kumu (teacher) as they prepare to place their pohaku (rock) on the Lua Kupapa‘u O Nohili crypt.
Teachers and staff prepare Kawaikini students for a team-building beach cleanup activity at Waiapua‘a Bay.
PMRF recently hosted students from Kawaikini, a Hawaiian-language public charter school from Puhi, Kaua‘i, and Kula Aupuni Ni‘ihau A Kah elelani Aloha (KANAKA), a public charter school from Kekaha, for a guided visit to the cultural and historic sites on the installation. Students visited the Lua Kupapa‘u O Nohili Crypt, Waiapua‘a Bay, and the Nohili Dunes, where they practiced song and dance, honored cultural protocol, and planted native kou and
‘a‘ali‘i seedlings. Through visits like these, the Navy provides opportunities for students to engage with PMRF’s history, mission, and cultural significance while fostering meaningful connections with our island communities.