West Maui’s Coral Reefs
West Maui’s coral reefs are important sources of coral larvae that replenish reefs across Maui, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i, and Kaho‘olawe. Because of this, the area has been designated a priority conservation site by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
But West Maui is laden with historic sugarcane and pineapple plantations that are now out-of-use. During heavy rain events, the soil from these degraded landscapes travels down old dirt roads, enters stream gulches, and ultimately reaches the ocean where it smothers coral reefs.
Stormwater runoff is considered a major source of water pollution and has led to a 25-50% decline in Maui’s coral cover in the last fifteen years. It also regularly causes the Hawaiʻi Department of Health to issue “Brown Water Advisories”, which are warnings to the public to avoid swimming or fishing because of risks to human health.
Our Work
Our mauka to makai (ridge-to-reef) approach restores the natural function of an ahupua’a (watershed), so that chemicals, nutrients, and sediment are naturally removed from stormwater before they reach the ocean.
Toward the top of the mountain and in the midslope region, we use native plants—and over 100 supportive volunteers—to restore the degraded landscapes and trap the sediment before it has a chance to runoff into the ocean. We’re restoring the mauka (mountainside) with native plants like pili grass and natural materials like coconut coirs to slow the runoff, trap the sediment, and absorb the nutrients.
On the coast, we work with resort property owners, the tourism industry, and Maui County to implement reef-friendly Low Impact Design (LID) landscaping that serves as a last-ditch effort to filter stormwater before it reaches the ocean. Looking for more details?
Get Involved
Volunteer
We’re always looking for local volunteers to help us grow native plants and reforest the mountainside. Volunteers grow native plants from seed at their homes. And once a month, we have a volunteer planting day where volunteers transplant native plants into the ground at our restoration site. Interested? Sign up by completing our volunteer interest form, and a member of our team will contact you shortly. Before volunteering at our field site, you will also need to complete the volunteer waiver.
Become a Citizen Scientist
Through our partner organization, Hui O Ka Wai Ola, volunteers collect water quality samples around the island to improve our understanding of Maui’s coastal areas and threats to coral reefs. Visit the Hui O Ka Wai Ola website to become a water quality sampler.
Recent News
“Climate REEFS” Initiative Launched to Advance Equitable Pathways to Climate Adaptation in Asia Pacific
(OAKLAND, CA – November 10, 2023) Today, a consortium of universities, development agencies, and NGOs announced the launch of Climate REEFS, a collaborative project to advance socially equitable climate change adaptation for coastal communities that depend on coral reef resources in Indonesia and the Philippines. Climate REEFS is a project under the UK-Canada Climate Adaptation… Continue Reading →
Uniting With and Supporting Our Maui ‘Ohana
A devastating mix of human and ecological loss has recently occurred in the Pacific. The wildfire in Maui has cast a shadow of ash and tragedy over the island’s landscape, as well as over the Coral Reef Alliance as an organization. Maui – and more specifically the historic town of Lahaina – is home… Continue Reading →
Meet Makayla: Conservation Scientist and Native Plant Enthusiast
Makayla Richmond is a valuable member of the Coral Reef Alliance family. She has a strong passion for sustainable resource management in Hawaii and deeply understands the intricate connections between the ocean, land, and people. Her academic background in Sustainable Science Management earned at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, has equipped her with the… Continue Reading →
CORAL Receives Transformational Funding for the Reefs of Maui Nui
CORAL and our partners in Maui Nui have been selected to receive a $3.1 million federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Coastal Zone Management Program. The grant recognizes our alliance’s dedication to protecting and restoring coral reefs around the world and its successful track record in implementing conservation projects. Our… Continue Reading →
Inside Our Alliance: Revitalizing the Land and Ocean with Kipuka Olowalu
Not far from the highway lies a hidden oasis—a valley tucked away between the mountains and ocean. You are surrounded by nature in its purest form and accompanied by generations of community members who’ve come to be immersed in the local culture and tradition. This special place is what the Kipuka Olowalu organization sees when… Continue Reading →
CORAL is Selected as a Grantee of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Marine 30×30 Pooled Fund
In recent weeks, CORAL was selected as a grantee for the Marine 30×30 Pooled Fund by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, alongside five other community groups and nonprofit organizations in Maui, Hawai‘i. Together, we are working with the state, partners, and community members to restore Hawai‘i’s marine environments and contribute to the protection of 30 percent… Continue Reading →
Thank You for Supporting CORAL. Here’s How Your Gift Will Make an Impact in 2023
It’s 2023 and for us, that means a new year with new opportunities to continue protecting the world’s coral reefs. We are so grateful for each and every donor who continuously believes in our mission and stands up for the health of our ocean’s most vital ecosystems. Your generous gift will fund our regional programs… Continue Reading →
Advancing Maui’s Watershed Restoration Project
Let’s travel to the island of Maui, Hawai‘i—a place of natural beauty, rich culture, and of course, vibrant coral reefs that we work tirelessly to protect. In 2022, we have advanced our watershed restoration project in West Maui, which focuses on decreasing sediment runoff that reaches coral reefs. West Maui used to have an abundance… Continue Reading →
Thank You for Supporting CORAL’s Volunteers in Maui
We are proud to support a dedicated team of local volunteers in Maui, Hawai’i, as they work to protect the valuable coral reefs in their community. By using “best management practices,” which are effective measures used to reduce marine pollution, we are able to minimize sediment pollution on coral reefs. Our volunteers grow and plant native… Continue Reading →
Using Native Plants to Protect Coral Reefs
In West Maui, Hawai‘i, CORAL’s Senior Program Manager Jennifer Vander Veur shares how our actions on land can impact what happens under the sea. Run-off sediment is threatening nearby coral reefs and making it harder for them to survive. To address this problem, Vander Veur leads our efforts to protect coral reefs by using native… Continue Reading →
Resources
How to Build a Rain Garden to Filter Stormwater
Building a rain garden can be an effective, low-cost tool to reduce stormwater pollution reaching our streams and the ocean. This guide outlines how to build a new rain garden, but you can also use these guidelines to improve water filtration within your current landscape by retrofitting existing flower beds or gardens.
Triple Benefits of Traditional Hawaiian Agriculture
Learn how traditional Hawaiian agricultural practices can lead to healthier oceans and waterways, provide greater food security, and support local culture and traditions.
Becoming a Successful Traditional Mahi’ai (Farmer)
Looking to become a traditional farmer in Hawai’i? Follow the steps outlined in this pipeline to hone in on your skills and get one step closer to enjoying the benefits of traditional agriculture.
Installing a Curb-out Raingarden
A rain garden is a landscaped depression in the ground that is designed to collect stormwater runoff from rooftops and other impervious surfaces. This case study documents the process of building a rain garden along a heavily trafficked road—the Kā‘anapali Parkway—used to access a popular resort in West Maui, Hawai’i.
