The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project, Inc (PMDP) is a not-for-profit organization created to execute regular and frequent large-scale marine debris cleanup efforts from the remote reefs and shorelines of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands). An estimated 115,000 lbs of derelict fishing gear (“ghost nets”) accumulate on the coral reefs of this remote island chain every year, and its otherwise pristine beaches are choked with thousands of pounds of ocean plastics that have drifted in from around the Pacific. This debris threatens protected species and compromises their critical habitats. By collaborating with existing federal and state management agencies, PMDP is working to match the level of effort dedicated to marine debris removal in the Monument with the level of debris accumulation. MISSION: 1. To protect the critical habitats and protected species of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument 2. To bring awareness to the issue of marine debris to the people of Hawaii and the world 3. To engage the greater Hawaii community in the stewardship and care of Papahānaumokuākea VALUES 1. An inclusive approach to solving environmental issues in Hawaii: Pairing science with local knowledge, nature with culture, and fostering a grassroots sense of place 2. Engaging youth and multi-generational communities of different backgrounds in helping to solve the problem of marine debris in Papahānaumokuākea 3. Efficiency and Innovation: Working to find better and more cost-effective ways to combat the problem of marine debris in Papahānaumokuākea