On Saturday, June 19, 2021, volunteers from 3 Hawaii Rotary clubs and their friends went to the Kaka'ako Waterfront Park for a cleanup and to learn about the Ehime Maru Memorial. 

June 19, 2021
Written by Allen Kamemoto

19 enthusiastic volunteers arrived at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park early Saturday morning armed with trash bags, litter pickers and a desire to make our community a better place to live. Volunteers were Rotarians and friends from the Rotary Club of Hickam Pearl Harbor, Eco Rotary Club of Kaka'ako, and the Rotary Club of Pearl Harbor.

The park was exceptionally clean, but our hardy volunteers were able and ready to do a sizeable job of making a difference picking up trash throughout. After 1.5 hours of work in the blazing heat with spectacular scenery, the group assembled at the Ehime Maru Memorial to be enlightened by Ken Saiki, Director of the Ehime Maru Memorial Association, where he explained the tragic events of 20 years ago when a U.S. Submarine collided with a Japanese fishing & training ship, the Ehime Maru, where 9 of the 35 on board were killed.

After Mr. Saiki's presentation, the group enjoyed a bento lunch provided by the Rotary Clubs of Hickam Pearl Harbor and Pearl Harbor. Rotarian, LTC Steve Dyer(ret) shared his behind the scenes role in the incident and his efforts to mitigate the terrible public relations disaster that could have occurred after the tragedy.

Check out our photos!

To learn more about the Ehime Maru Memorial, visit the Ehime Maru Memorial Association website

Mahalo to our Club Sponsors