As a left guard for the Saint Louis High School football team, it’s Keli’i Cobb’s responsibility to protect the patch of field between his
quarterback and the defenders who want to turn his quarterback into pupu. At yesterday’s Aloha ‘Aina Earth Day community cleanup and recycling drive, Cobb and his comrades on the defensive unit spent the afternoon trying to protect the planet by helping to collect tons of reusable or recyclable items. About 200 volunteers took part in the massive operation, including the entire Saint Louis varsity and junior varsity football teams (offensive and defensive units worked in shifts) and Junior ROTC, as well as parents and community members. “It’s good for the team and it’s a good way to give back to the community,” said Cobb, 17, who collected batteries, gathered donated clothes and loaded green waste into a waiting truck. The school, which has its own recycling program, sent e-mails to some 39,000 O’ahu accounts to publicize the event. Head football coach John Hao coordinated the drive. Based on the response — drop-off traffic was heavy through the morning and mid-afternoon — Hao said he hopes to repeat the event at least once a year. Aloha ‘Aina drives are held once a month at various locations statewide. The drives are popular because they bring together a wide variety of companies that specialize in recycling or preparing to recycle specific items that would otherwise take up space in a landfill.
Yesterday, the long, uphill entry road to the campus was lined with a dozen different stations, each designated to collect specific items.