Waste Management - Keeping Hawaii Clean

Local Non-Profit Receives National Honors for Second Year

Kapolei, Hawaii, April 14, 2008 – Waste Management recently honored Nani ‘O Waianae, a non-profit organization and Hawaii’s Keep America Beautiful-affiliate based on the Leeward Oahu coast, as a recipient of its Target Grant Awards. Nani ‘O Waianae was one of only 21 organizations that will receive a $5,000 grant from Waste Management as part of this nationwide award open to Keep America Beautiful affiliates.

Nani ‘O Waianae was honored as a Target Grant Awardee for the first time in 2007. In addition, Mayor Mufi Hannemann awarded Nani ‘O Waianae with the 2007 Good Neighborhood Everyday Environmental Team Leadership Award on behalf of the City & County of Honolulu.

“We sincerely thank Waste Management of Hawaii for nominating us for this grant and being one of our strongest supporters,” said Katy Kok, executive director of Nani ‘O Waianae. “It is always a challenge to keep the community engaged and involved in helping to preserve the natural beauty of Hawaii and this grant will help make it a little easier.”

“Keeping Hawaii clean is everyone’s responsibility and organizations such as Nani ‘O Waianae take that message to heart,” said Joe Whelan, acting general manager of Waste Management of Hawaii. “We are proud to be an active community partner and hope to encourage other companies to do the same. A great way to get started is by participating in this year’s Great Hawaii Cleanup.”

As part of the State of Hawaii and the National Great America Cleanup, Nani ‘O Waianae is organizing events for the Great Hawaii Cleanup from March to May. The Oahu cleanup is on April 26 and site coordinators are urgently needed. Those interested should contact Katy Kok at (808) 696-1920 or (808) 484-1000.

Nani ‘O Waianae is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization comprised of grassroots volunteers committed to creating a community based educational awareness and hands-on program which address environmental issues unique to our coastal community. The organization is a certified affiliate of the national organization of Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

Waste Management of Hawaii has operated Waimanalo Gulch Landfill as an integral part of the City & County of Honolulu’s solid waste management infrastructure for more than 20 years. The facility is permitted to handle municipal solid waste, which is heavily regulated, monitored and controlled by local, state and federal government agencies. The facility's staff includes 31 full-time employees, many of whom are active in the local community. In addition to its community contributions and significant volunteer efforts, Waste Management provides a benefit to the local economy of more than $2.9 million annually. To learn more about Waste Management’s commitment to the beautification of the islands, visit www.keepinghawaiiclean.com.

Return to Press Index