{"id":998,"date":"2021-08-09T05:00:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T12:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coral.org\/?page_id=998"},"modified":"2022-11-29T12:57:55","modified_gmt":"2022-11-29T20:57:55","slug":"hawaiian-islands","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/where-we-work\/hawaiian-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawaiian Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Saving Hawai\u2018i\u2019s coral reefs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We have led coral reef conservation efforts in the main Hawaiian Islands for over 15 years. Since 2006, we have designed our program in Hawai\u02bbi to protect and seed the coral reefs of Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are focused on preventing land-based pollution from entering the ocean on Maui and Hawai\u02bbi islands, and we are one of only two NGOs that sit on the statewide Cesspool Conversion Working Group to help the state transition toward more efficient wastewater treatment systems. Clean water is critical to coral reef health, and water pollution not only threatens our existing reefs but prevents them from adapting to the effects of climate change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A treasure like no other<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hawai\u02bbi is a crucial site for global coral reef conservation. Its islands are home to one of the highest concentrations of endemic marine species anywhere on Earth and 85% of the United States\u2019 coral reefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These reefs are central to the local culture, forming the foundation behind many traditions, foods, sacred ceremonies, and leisure activities. Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s reefs contribute over $800 million<\/strong> to the economy each year through tourism and serve as a natural barrier that protects people and coastal property from storm surges and floods. The U.S. Geological Survey calculated that the economic value of shoreline protection in Hawai\u02bbi from coral reefs is worth $836 million<\/strong> annually.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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An ecosystem under threat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s reefs face major global and local threats including climate change, overfishing, and sediment and nutrient pollution caused by sewage and stormwater runoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the Hawaiian Islands, 88,000 cesspools release an estimated 53 million gallons of raw sewage into Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s waterways every day. Sewage pollution contributes to high nutrient, bacterial, and pathogen levels in the nearshore marine environment\u2014a serious health hazard to people and reefs. On Hawai\u02bbi Island, sewage pollution has been identified as the biggest contributor to declining fish biomass and has been specifically linked to coral disease and bleaching, as well as human health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other parts of the island chain, such as West Maui, mountain slopes that historically supported pineapple and sugar cane plantations are now out of use, and what remains is degraded and hardpacked soil. When it rains, flash floods carry stormwater and large amounts of sediment downstream to the ocean. Just offshore, once-thriving coral reefs are now struggling to survive. West Maui has been designated a priority conservation site by both the state and federal government in an effort to address land-based pollution and corresponding declines in coral cover. Due to historical patterns of ocean currents, these corals are critical sources of larvae for reefs on several nearby islands, including L\u0101nai\u02bbi, Moloka\u02bbi, and Kaho\u02bbolawe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Hawai\u2018i Program Staff<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Makayla Rickard<\/a><\/h2>\t\t

Program Manager, Maui Nui<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Mihana Ho<\/a><\/h2>\t\t

Field Tech, Maui Nui<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Kehau Kimokeo<\/a><\/h2>\t\t

Community Engagement Coordinator (Maui Nui)<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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