Voice of the Sea Wins Regional Emmy
The UH Sea Grant show's episode on Papahānaumokuākea marine debris cleanup earned the honor in the Environment/Science category.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Environmental
UH Sea Grant College Program's weekly show "Voice of the Sea" won a regional Emmy for News/Long Form Content in the Environment/Science category. The award is for the 30-minute episode "Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project," which profiles the PMDP team's cleanup work.
Why it matters
The episode spotlights the removal of marine debris from a remote conservation area northwest of Hawaii's main islands. The recognition brings attention to local marine science coverage across the Hawaiian Islands.
The show has won more than 70 Telly awards over 13 seasons, and this is its first Emmy. Roughly 1.3 million pounds of marine debris have been removed from Papahānaumokuākea since 2020.
The players
UH Sea Grant College Program
The University of Hawaiʻi program that produces the "Voice of the Sea" show and supports marine research and outreach across the state.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP)
The main conservation and cleanup organization working to remove marine debris from the Papahānaumokuākea conservation area.
The details
The episode follows the PMDP team, the main conservation and cleanup organization for the region, in the remote area northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands. It shows how marine debris affects native wildlife and coastlines and documents the team's cleanup work.
Timeline
Marine debris removal tally in Papahānaumokuākea began in 2020.
The show has produced award-winning seasons over 13 seasons.
The Emmy award was reported on November 6, 2026.
Big Picture
The episode documents ongoing cleanup work within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, which protects the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ecosystem. Coverage of such efforts helps keep public attention on conservation work in the monument's protected waters.
Residents and visitors interested in Hawaii's marine environment can follow local science programming to learn about conservation work in the islands. The coverage highlights how debris collected from remote waters reflects the broader challenge of protecting coastlines and wildlife.
The takeaway
Marine debris cleanup in remote conservation areas requires sustained effort, and public media coverage can help people understand the scale of the work. Following local science programs is one way residents can stay informed about efforts to protect Hawaii's ocean ecosystems.
Further reading
Explore more Environmental coverage from across the islands.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hawai'i Public Radio.
