KAILUA-KONA, BIG ISLAND, HAWAII
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Dive with a Purpose: Partnering to Protect Our Reefs
Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the marine environment.
Founded in 2002, ODA focuses on removing harmful debris, such as abandoned fishing nets and plastic pollution, from the ocean to safeguard marine wildlife and habitats.
Through volunteer-driven clean-up missions and educational outreach, ODA works tirelessly to promote ocean conservation and raise awareness about the critical issues facing our seas.
ODA x ALD
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Action & Partnership
At Aquatic Life Divers, we believe in leaving the ocean cleaner than we found it. That's why we're proud to partner with Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA), a leader in marine debris removal. Together, we're taking action to restore and protect the vibrant reefs we all love to explore.
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Environmental Impact
The beauty of our underwater world is fragile. We're committed to its protection through our partnership with Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA). By choosing Aquatic Life Divers, you're not just exploring the ocean; you're helping to fund the vital work of keeping it healthy for generations to come.
A team of 40 volunteers on four boats, led by the nonprofit Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA), successfully removed 32 tires from a "tire graveyard" in Kailua Bay on April 6, 2025.
This was the final phase of a two-part cleanup, with 61 tires having been removed in the first phase on April 22, 2024.
The tire dump, located 600 yards offshore from the Royal Kona Resort, was discovered by local diver Jeff Milisen. His wife, Sarah Milisen, who leads the local ODA chapter, organized the cleanup effort. The tires, each weighing around 190 pounds, were floated to the surface with lift bags and craned out of the water.
The project highlights a significant community effort to protect the local marine ecosystem from the damage and chemical leaching caused by the tires.
The tires, averaging about 190 pounds, were floated to the surface with lift bags and then hauled out of the water by a crane attached to the vessel of Blue Ocean Mariculture
“It was tires everywhere; all over the reef,”
Key Partners and Companies
