{"id":1006,"date":"2021-08-09T05:01:54","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T12:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coral.org\/?page_id=1006"},"modified":"2023-03-07T12:41:43","modified_gmt":"2023-03-07T20:41:43","slug":"west-maui","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/where-we-work\/hawaiian-islands\/maui\/west-maui\/","title":{"rendered":"West Maui"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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West Maui\u2019s Coral Reefs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

West Maui\u2019s coral reefs are important sources of coral larvae that replenish reefs across Maui, Lana\u2018i, Moloka\u2018i, and Kaho\u2018olawe. Because of this, the area has been designated a priority conservation site by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and the Hawai\u2018i Department of Land and Natural Resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stormwater runoff is considered a major source of water pollution and has led to a 25-50% decline in Maui\u2019s coral cover in the last fifteen years. It also regularly causes the Hawai\u02bbi Department of Health to issue \u201cBrown Water Advisories\u201d, which are warnings to the public to avoid swimming or fishing because of risks to human health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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