MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- The students and faculty of Mokapu Elementary School aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, are dashing to see who can collect the most aluminum cans before Dec. 18.The first-ever Mokapu Elementary Recycling Aluminum Can Challenge was launched on America Recycles Day 2002, Nov. 15, with a myriad of rallies to inspire the school's more than 850 youngsters to recycle."We hope that the current Aluminum Can Challenge will promote increased recycling aboard MCB Hawaii for all materials accepted through the program," said Jim Sibert, Base Recycling Center manager. During the rally, representatives from the MCB Hawaii Environmental Compliance and Protection Department reminded the children of the significance recycling programs provide the world around them. Master Sgt. Sonny Johnson, an environmental inspector, sang rhymes during the rally to encourage the Mokapu youngsters to recycle. He sang to children in pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade: "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you're going to recycle, stomp your feet. If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it, if you're going to tell your parents, pat your head." He then sang a more "hip" tune to the older children: "Wave your hands in the air, and wave them around like you just don't care. If you're going to recycle, stand up and say, 'oh yeah!'"In addition to the rhymes, the children also received coloring books that discussed how to recycle and water bottles, courtesy of Base Recycling and Environmental. At the completion of the aluminum can challenge, the class that collects the most weight in cans will be treated to a pizza party and a field trip to the Base Recycling Center. The Base Recycling Center is supporting the event by picking up the cans daily at the school and weighing them. The center will report back to the school with each group's weekly progress.Officials in the MCB Hawaii Environmental Compliance and Protection Department remind base residents that America Recycles Day 2002 is also a great time to start a recycling program at home. The Family Housing Recycling pilot program has a collection point for several kinds of recyclables adjacent the Lending Locker and Family Housing Office aboard Kaneohe Bay. However, the program enjoys less than one percent participation. "We hope to continue projects down the road that encourage recycling and environmental awareness with MCB Hawaii children," said Sibert.