Love Blue Maui’s Groundbreaking Beach Cleanup: A New Chapter in Ocean Advocacy

In a monumental moment for the Love Blue Inc. family, the organization has expanded its mission to the Hawaiian islands with the establishment of Love Blue Maui, marking a powerful step forward in protecting the world’s oceans. As one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions and sitting near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Hawaii holds a crucial role in the health of the ocean and, by extension, the world’s climate. Love Blue Maui’s inaugural beach cleanup on September 7th and 8th, 2024, at Kanaha Beach Park in Kahului, was not just an event, but a movement that solidified the organization’s presence as the ocean's protectors in Hawaii.

The island of Maui is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including sea turtles, monk seals, humpback whales, and vibrant coral reefs. These species don’t just contribute to the beauty of the islands—they play an integral role in maintaining the balance of the ocean’s ecosystem. As the controller of the climate, the ocean’s health determines the future of the planet, and in the face of increasing pollution and environmental degradation, Love Blue Inc. has answered the call to protect it for generations to come.

Founded by co-presidents Cameron Tsuhako and Raven Bugtong, along with their dedicated team, Love Blue Maui is more than a community chapter of Love Blue Inc.—it’s a guardian of Hawaii’s waters. On September 7th, 2024, they made history with the first official Love Blue beach cleanup ever held in Hawaii. Volunteers, local students, and key community members gathered for a two-day event at Kanaha Beach Park, coming together to make a difference.

Cleanup Stats:

- Saturday’s Efforts: 20 volunteers cleared debris from the beach, removing 75 pounds of waste from the shore.

- Sunday’s Efforts: 48 volunteers cleared 175 pounds of waste, making significant strides in keeping Maui’s beaches clean.

Throughout the event, Cameron and Raven educated participants on the significance of Love Blue’s mission and why establishing a chapter in Maui was so vital. Cameron passionately shared a powerful Hawaiian proverb:

“Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono” – “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

This sentiment captures the essence of their work, grounded in the Hawaiian concept of kūleana—a deep sense of responsibility to protect the land and waters.

"Our personal motto is ‘Where kūleana is at the heart of what we do,’" Cameron explained, emphasizing that this responsibility is not just a task, but a calling for every volunteer and supporter of the movement.

Love Blue Maui’s cleanup efforts were made possible through the collaboration of several local organizations, including the Maui High School Key Club, Baldwin High School Key Club, King Kekaulike’s Key Club, and members of the Kiwanis Club of Maui. Their combined efforts showcased the power of community in preserving the environment.

As we reflect on the success of this groundbreaking cleanup, Love Blue Maui extends its deepest gratitude to all the organizations and volunteers who made this moment possible. The work we’ve done together is just the beginning. We are committed to safeguarding Hawaii’s marine life, beaches, and the vast ocean beyond, protecting them for the future.

Love Blue Inc.’s expansion into Hawaii is a testament to our continued dedication as Guardians of the Ocean. We are here to protect and preserve these precious waters for generations to come. This is our responsibility. This is our kūleana.

To get involved or learn more about Love Blue Maui’s future initiatives, follow us on Instagram @lovebluemaui, or visit our Linktree at Love Blue Maui Linktree.

Together, we are the ocean’s guardians. Together, we will make a difference.

Love Blue Inc. to Launch Chicago Chapter: Expanding Ocean Conservation Efforts Inland

Love Blue Inc. is thrilled to announce the launch of our Chicago, IL chapter, marking an exciting new chapter in our mission to protect and preserve our waterways and oceans. While Chicago is far from the coast, it is deeply connected to our oceans through its businesses, waterways, and influence. By expanding into major cities like Chicago, we have the opportunity to hold corporations accountable, boost social responsibility, and inspire meaningful environmental change from the heart of the city.

Engaging the Community through Cleanups and Outreach

Our Chicago chapter will lead initiatives such as beach, lake, river, and waterway cleanups, ensuring that the pollution in our cities doesn’t end up in our oceans. By tackling waste at its source, we can help prevent the environmental damage that starts in urban areas and eventually reaches coastal waters. We’re committed to being active in the Chicago community, participating in local outreach events, and working directly with schools to educate students about the importance of environmental stewardship. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire hope and show students what’s possible beyond the city’s borders.

Building Partnerships for Greater Impact

Chicago, as a major metropolitan area, has immense influence, and our goal is to tap into that power to create lasting change. By partnering with local businesses, corporations, and even sports teams, we can raise awareness and promote environmental engagement on a larger scale. Our city chapters play a vital role in Love Blue Inc.’s overall mission—cities are interconnected with the ocean in countless ways, and cleaning up urban areas is essential to conserving our oceans for future generations.

A Call to Action

The Love Blue Inc. Chicago chapter is more than just an environmental group—it’s a movement to make cities more environmentally conscious and responsible. We look forward to working with the people of Chicago to raise awareness, boost involvement, and create a cleaner, healthier future for our oceans and our planet. Join us in this exciting new chapter and help make a lasting impact by getting involved in the Chicago Love Blue Inc. chapter. Together, we can make a difference from the city to the sea.

Colonial Bank Supports Love Blue Inc. with a Generous Donation to Protect New Jersey’s Oceans

Love Blue Inc. is proud to announce a generous $500 donation from 1st Colonial Community Bank as part of their "Jeans for a Cause" initiative. This monthly program encourages bank employees to donate to a local organization each Friday in exchange for wearing jeans to work. For the month of June, 1st Colonial Community Bank selected Love Blue Inc. as their beneficiary, recognizing our ongoing efforts to protect New Jersey's marine ecosystems.

A Community-Driven Initiative

"Jeans for a Cause" is more than just a fundraising effort—it's a reflection of 1st Colonial Community Bank’s commitment to making a positive impact in the communities they serve. Each month, the bank's employees come together to support a local organization that is working to create meaningful change. By choosing Love Blue Inc. for the month of June, the bank’s employees have shown their dedication to environmental stewardship and ocean conservation.

Supporting Ocean Advocacy in New Jersey

This donation will go directly towards Love Blue Inc.’s mission to protect New Jersey’s oceans from industrialization and other threats to marine life. Our work is focused on advocating for sustainable practices and opposing projects, such as offshore wind turbines, that could harm the delicate marine ecosystems along the East Coast. The funds will help us continue our grassroots efforts, including community education, research, and direct action to safeguard our oceans.

A Shared Vision for a Better Future

"We are incredibly grateful to 1st Colonial Community Bank for their support," said AJ Caruso, CEO of Love Blue Inc. "This donation is a testament to the power of community and the impact that can be made when local businesses and organizations come together for a common cause. Every dollar helps us further our mission of protecting the ocean and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty and bounty of our coastal waters."

Continuing the Fight for Ocean Conservation

The support from 1st Colonial Community Bank is a vital boost to Love Blue Inc.'s efforts in New Jersey. With this donation, we are better equipped to tackle the challenges facing our oceans and to continue our advocacy against harmful industrial practices. We are inspired by the generosity of the bank’s employees and their commitment to environmental protection.

As we move forward, Love Blue Inc. remains dedicated to our "Oceans First" policy, standing strong against any threats to marine life. The partnership with 1st Colonial Community Bank is a shining example of how local communities can unite to make a difference, and we look forward to continuing our work with the support of such committed allies.

Join Us in Protecting Our Oceans

We encourage everyone to follow the example set by 1st Colonial Community Bank and consider supporting Love Blue Inc. in our mission to protect the oceans. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our coastal environments remain vibrant and thriving for years to come.