Fifty-five sixth-grade girls scurried off the bus at Hawaii Kai Beach Park in southeastern Oahu. The Sacred Hearts Academy students put down their backpacks, slipped into their water shoes, and gathered in a group near the water’s edge. Alex Awo and his team from Mālama Maunalua offsite link welcomed them to their classroom for the day: Maunalua Bay.
![Armed with gloves and empty onion bags, Sacred Hearts Academy students are ready to pull some algae to improve the health of Maunalua Bay. The students removed over 1,200 pounds of harmful invasive algae during their 45-minute huki. (Image credit: Mālama Maunalua and Sacred Hearts Academy) Armed with gloves and empty onion bags, Sacred Hearts Academy students are ready to pull some algae to improve the health of Maunalua Bay. The students removed over 1,200 pounds of harmful invasive algae during their 45-minute huki.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_1275/public/legacy/image/2019/Jun/Group%20photo_19x9_3.jpg?itok=l51ScZcx)
Armed with gloves and empty onion bags, Sacred Hearts Academy students are ready to pull some algae to improve the health of Maunalua Bay. The students removed over 1,200 pounds of harmful invasive algae during their 45-minute huki. (Image credit: Mālama Maunalua and Sacred Hearts Academy)