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April 2011 E-Current
 E-Current
April 2011 |
In this Issue: Tsunami Hits West Hawaii • Remote Rescue Missions • Maui Responds • Hawaii Tourism Update |
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We at CORAL join the rest of the global community in sending our deepest condolences to those in Japan and beyond who felt the impact of last month's catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, and particularly to those who have lost loved ones. The devastation unleashed near the earthquake's epicenter has been difficult to comprehend, especially as its ramifications continue to unfold.
The scale of this historic event was brought home for us when the tsunami swept across the Pacific to the Hawaiian Archipelago—nearly 4,000 miles away—with sufficient force to warrant emergency evacuations and cause thirty million dollars in damage. The morning after the tsunami, an entire house was found in West Hawaii's Kealakekua Bay. Although we remain concerned about the tsunami's ongoing impacts, we are heartened by community efforts to clean up important coral reef areas that have sustained damage from waves and debris.
While I hope you're doing what you can to help provide humanitarian relief to those in need in Japan, I also ask you to join us in supporting our partners in Hawaii. Please read on for more information about how Hawaii is weathering this natural disaster and what you can do to help.
Interim Executive Director
Conservation Programs Director
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Tsunami Hits Reefs and Businesses in West Hawaii
West Hawaii sustained more damage from the tsunami than any other area in the state. CORAL has been gathering information about the status of coral reefs and marine tourism businesses in our project site, as well as the impressive community response to the disaster. We are glad to report that spontaneous community efforts quickly removed debris from important coral reef areas, and most tourism businesses are back in operation.
Read the story » |
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Tsunami Rescue: Tales from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Imagine being stationed on a remote, low-lying atoll that's right in the path of a tsunami. Luckily for teams in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a NOAA research vessel was nearby to bring them back to safety. CORAL's field representative in West Hawaii, Kara Osada-D'Avella, was aboard the research ship on her way to conduct fish surveys at Wake Island. Kara has the inside scoop on the rescue missions and the tsunami damage in the region. Read Kara's account » |
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Maui Community Responds to the Tsunami
Maui was not as severely affected by the tsunami as Hawaii Island, but the waves did damage property and sweep equipment and other debris out to sea. In Ma'alaea Harbor, entire dock boxes full of supplies were sucked over the break wall and out to the reefs. The community has come together incredibly quickly to organize cleanup events for reefs and beaches. Read the story » |
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Hawaii Is Open for Business
In addition to the damage and losses they sustained from the tsunami itself, our partnering tourism businesses in Hawaii can expect to feel the tsunami's impact long into the future due to reduced tourism from Japan. Now, more than ever, is an important time to support these businesses. Fortunately, Hawaii's reefs suffered fairly minimal damage overall, and visitors to Hawaii will still witness the breathtaking reefs, manta rays, and dolphins that CORAL is helping to protect. Read the story » |
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* Photo Credits and Notes:
Banner Photo: Convict Tangs (Acanthurus triostegus), Wake Island
Photographer: Kara Osada-D'Avella
Large Center Photo: Cleanup efforts in Kealakekua Bay, West Hawaii
Photographer: Joan Ocean
Left Side Photo: Reef triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus), Hawaii
Source: Wikimedia Commons
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