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On Saturday, November 23, students from Hawaiʻi Pacific Å·ÃÀAƬ (HPU) gathered at Sand Island State Recreation Area to participate in the inaugural “Beyond the Cap: Senior Giveback Day,” an initiative organized by Sharks United, a Registered Student Organization, and the Student Government Association (SGA). In partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi and the Global Preservation Initiative (GPI), the event was a resounding success, uniting students in a shared mission to give back to the ʻāina (land) they have called home while students Å·ÃÀAƬ. 

The event is an example of HPU’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement, supporting the university’s strategic plan to create a cenralized urban campus and deepen its connection to Honolulu’s environment.  In just two hours, a little over a dozen volunteers collected an impressive 350 pounds of trash, proving the power of dedication and teamwork. 

Engaging in a Day of Service 

“Beyond the Cap” was more than just a cleanup; it was a meaningful opportunity for students to connect with the ʻāina and each other. Megan Ciluffo, co-president of Sharks United, shared her personal motivation, saying, “As a student who has been here since my freshman year, I have learned to love Hawaiʻi and consider it home. My mom always raised me to thank and hug the host before leaving their house, so why would I treat Hawai'i any differently? This ʻāina has taught me so much and I have grown immensely over the past four years, so creating Sharks United and participating in any way possible is my thank you to her, the ʻāina.” 

The day began with a grounding exercise led by Aaron Magee, founder of the Global Preservation Initiative (GPI) who emphasized the interconnectedness of the land and sea. He asked the students to join him in a circle and take two breaths, explaining that one breath was given to them by the ʻāina, and one was given to them by the ocean, because 50% of the oxygen in the air comes from the water, therefore it is extremely important to the world's environment to clean not only the land, but the sea.   

For Justin Alday, HPU’s Student Body President, the cleanup was a chance to deepen the bond between the university and the local community. “It was important for us as students to build a connection with the community beyond HPU and with the ʻāina that has given us so much during our time here,” he said. A standout moment for Alday came when volunteers unearthed a buried metal foundation, a sobering reminder of the lasting impact of human activity on the environment. 

A Model for Urban Sustainability 

Assistant Director of Student Engagement Dyson Chee highlighted the significance of holding the event at Sand Island, noting its proximity to HPU’s new consolidated urban campus and its role as the university’s softball team’s home field. 

“Being a downtown campus means HPU should be invested in helping to care for the downtown community, which includes Sand Island,” said Chee. “While beach cleanups aren't the silver bullet to solving the many issues we face in Hawai'i, they help to raise awareness about threats to our island's sustainability, such as plastic pollution. As young people who are blossoming leaders in our community, I am really excited to see them hold this type of event for our graduating seniors.” 

The partnership between HPU, GPI, and the State of Hawaiʻi played a pivotal role in the event’s success. Ciluffo noted it was “due to everyone’s deep passion for seeking change, educating others about sustainability, and connecting with the ʻāina.” 

A Legacy of Stewardship 

“Beyond the Cap” is envisioned as a biannual tradition Å·ÃÀAƬ, targeting both fall and spring graduates. Ciluffo and Alday hope it will inspire future seniors to embrace the values of community service and sustainability before leaving Hawaiʻi. 

“Participating in this cleanup and giving back to the ʻāina changed my perspective on sustainability and community service because we established such a change in such a short amount of time, cleaning 350 pounds of trash in just two short hours,” Ciluffo reflected. “As Aaron said to us that day, it’s not about the amount of people you have, but the amount of help those people are willing to give.” 

Alday added, “I hope this event shows the local community thÅ·ÃÀAƬ students are eager to engage more deeply and build meaningful connections.”