East Honolulu is now under the State's Makai watch program, a partnership between communities, the state land department and several non-profit groups.

Maunalua Bay stretches from Koko Head to Diamond Head, feeds into and out of the Hawai'i Kai Marina. Boats, jet skis, kayaks, even the dogs love it.

"So, it is well used, and well loved, but not exactly well cared for and we really want to help bring the bay back to the health that it once was," said Pauline Sato, from the Nature Conservancy.

"So we've gone out from Paiko Lagoon and Kahala, but mostly we come here every week at least once a week and do our observations," said Jeff Sayer, a Maunalua Makai watch volunteer.

The Maunalua Makai Watch program is the 10th community in the state to sign-up.

"It's largely based on the concepts of the neighborhood watch program, which you might be familiar with. So, the idea is that the people who actually live in the communities are best suited to keep their eyes and ears out," said Debbie Gowensmith, the Makai Watch Coordinator.

"We have the form, that we use. And more or less just count the bay use, what each person is doing, how many boats are out in the bay, stuff like that," said Sayer. "We were also thinking of getting into the fish counting but we found out we are a little too old for that."

Volunteers also provide outreach to the public, educating on the cultural history here, impacts on the bay.

"And just yesterday we were involved in picking up limu from the reef and the invasive species of the algae. And that was a lot of fun. That took a couple of hours," said Sayer.

"And then finally observation and compliance. which is people in the community who understand what the regulations are and can contact the appropriate authorities if those regulations are not being followed," said Gowensmith.

Volunteers training is on the next three Saturdays. If you're interested go to Malama Maunalua.org and click on get involved.

"The main criteria are people who care, and who want to put in the time to do something about it," said Sato.