Matson relaunches program sponsoring public cleanups

Matson announced the relaunch of its Adahi I Tano’ program, the company’s community environmental program established in 2012 to engage community groups in beautifying and preserving the natural environment. The first cleanup of 2023 was completed by the Guam Women’s Masters Softball Club on May 6, 2023, in Hagåtña. (MATSON)

HAGÅTÑA, Guam—Matson has relaunched its Adahi I Tano’program, which engages local nonprofit organizations to undertake cleanup projects that benefit the environment while raising money to support their programs benefitting the community.

Now in its 11th year, Adahi I Tano’, which means “Take care of the Land” in CHamoru, has cleaned 187 sites throughout Guam since the program started.

Matson’s Adahi I Tano’ program contributes $500 to organizations that sign up and complete community projects and also provides all the supplies that groups need to conduct a cleanup project—trash bags, gloves, safety vests, and a 20-foot cargo container for collecting and transporting the garbage and recyclables away to proper disposal facilities.

Matson is now accepting applications from nonprofit groups with 12 or more volunteers who are interested in conducting cleanups through the end of this year. The first cleanup of 2023 was completed on May 6 by the Guam Women’s Masters Softball Club. The club’s 22 volunteers cleaned along Marine Corps Drive and the Hagåtña shoreline from Hagåtña Marina to Adelup Park.

“Adahi I Tano’ is one of our favorite programs because it allows us to uphold two of Matson’s long-held traditions at the same time: helping preserve and protect our natural environment while also supporting local nonprofit organizations already doing good work in our community. We support their fundraising efforts, and they help keep Guam beautiful,” said Patrick Bulaon, vice president and general manager, Guam and Micronesia.

To date, Matson has invested more than $165,000 in the Adahi I Tano’ program and has worked with about 100 nonprofit organizations on projects that have cleaned up sites throughout the island. So far this year, the program has 24 projects planned for 2023.

Nonprofits can now apply online

Matson invites nonprofit organizations with groups of 12 or more to apply today to be a part of the 2023 program. The company launched a new online application process on its community page at Matson.com. Interested groups can also learn more by calling (671) 475-5975/5961 or by emailing adahiitano@matson.com.

Follow Adahi I Tano’ on Facebook (@matsonguamtakecareofland) and Instagram (@matsonait) to see photos from the cleanups and receive news and updates.

About Adahi I Tano’

The Adahi I Tano’ was established in 2012 in Guam to promote “green” initiatives that support the company’s core value of being good stewards of the land and sea, while benefitting the environment and the island’s nonprofit organizations. Matson contributes $500 to each nonprofit that completes a cleanup at a location chosen to support special community events, improve the environment for the public at large, and create safer areas for children to play. (PR)