Story by
MC2 (SW) Mark Logico
Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

Photo by
Randy Dela Cruz

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) will host an installation-wide base cleanup from 9 to 11 a.m. March 9.

In support of this effort, commands based at JBPHH will participate in removing debris, conducting general cleanup and painting of highly visible areas such as base entrances, parking areas, roadway borders and sidewalks.

"The event is going to be great because it allows everybody to get out and have a day to focus on the installation that they are a part of," said Builder 1st Class (SCW) James Davenport, the leading petty officer assigned at the JBPHH 1st Lt. Division and the lead coordinator for the event.

The primary function of the 1st Lt. Division is to provide the upkeep, maintenance and repair for installation facilities. For the cleanup, the 1st Lt. will provide cleaning equipment and supplies to the participating commands.

"Basically we will be providing everything," said Davenport. "We're going to have all the equipment, all the supplies: trash bags, gloves, PPE (personal protective gear), plus a little bit of training for the guys that need to know how to work a weed whacker."

The 1st Lt. Division will also provide leaf blowers, weed eaters and curbside trash removal. They will even provide painting supplies for any commands that need it.

"Once they have gathered up anything within a 50-meter perimeter around their area, all they have to do is bag it up and put it on the main road," said Davenport. "We'll come by and pick it up."

Jane Mann, a management analyst at Commander Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH), recently received an on-the-spot cash award from Rear Adm. Dixon Smith, commander Navy Region Hawaii and commander, Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific, for her daily cleanup routes around the base.

"I feel I am further contributing by keeping a few other things (recyclables) out of landfills," said Mann. "This is especially important here in Hawaii because of our proximity to the open ocean. Many of the recyclable items are plastic and marine life is being affected by people's carelessness."

Since 2008, Mann has been walking three miles around her neighborhood, two miles around JBPHH, and at least five miles at different venues around Hawaii with an organized walking group on Saturday mornings. During all her walks, she has been carrying a bag to collect litter and recyclable materials.

"When the admiral gave me the award, he told me if everyone picked up one little thing every day, we wouldn't have a litter problem," said Mann, who also looks forward to the base cleanup.

"[Hawaii] is the Navy's best homeport, without a doubt," said Davenport. "It's important for us to provide a clean, beautiful installation for people who work and visit. It's not just for the tourists, but also the Pearl Harbor survivors who come here each year and other distinguished guests such as the MCPON, CNO and the Secretary of State. Everybody comes here."