Love for neighborhood spurs Adopt-A-Highway awardees

Two Maui residents recognized for public service

The No Ka Oi Highway Hui Adopt-A-Highway award was recently awarded to Cathy Toda and Robert Spangler of Maui. For nearly 20 years, the two have served the community and they were recently recognized for their actions, according to a press release.

The award was given to the two Maui residents after they helped clean a two-mile section of Haleakala Crater Road, a rural stretch of switchbacks located approximately 4,000 feet to 4,600 feet above sea level.

“It’s love for the neighborhood,” Toda said, when asked about her volunteerism in the Adopt-A-Highway program. “We drive our mule or the truck and we go up and do our thing and we just really enjoy it. We take pride in the area and want to revere Mt. Haleakala.”

While Adopt-A-Highway groups commit to conducting four cleanups a year, Toda and Spangler have been picking up trash along their adopted route monthly. The proactive approach to cleaning the highways is one of the reasons the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Maui District wanted to recognize their diligent public service.

“Regardless of whether our Adopt-A-Highway groups consist of two persons or two dozen plus volunteers, we’re grateful to each and every one of them for their individual and collective contributions,” said Ty Fukuroku,

program manager of Environmental Management, Highways Maui District. “We’re very pleased to recognize Ms. Toda and Mr. Spangler for their dedication to their community and environment.”

Adopt-A-Highway is a public service program that works with

Highways Maui District Courtesy photo Robert Spangler and Cathy Toda receive a certificate of recognition and some schwag from Highways Maui District in appreciation of their nearly 20 years of service to Maui’s Adopt-A-Highway program.