Saving Hawai‘i’s coral reefs
We have led coral reef conservation efforts in the main Hawaiian Islands for over 15 years. Since 2006, we have designed our program in Hawaiʻi to protect and seed the coral reefs of Hawaiʻi’s future.
We are focused on preventing land-based pollution from entering the ocean on Maui and Hawaiʻi 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.
A treasure like no other
Hawaiʻi 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’ coral reefs.
These reefs are central to the local culture, forming the foundation behind many traditions, foods, sacred ceremonies, and leisure activities. Hawaiʻi’s reefs contribute over $800 million 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 Hawaiʻi from coral reefs is worth $836 million annually.
An ecosystem under threat
Hawaiʻi’s reefs face major global and local threats including climate change, overfishing, and sediment and nutrient pollution caused by sewage and stormwater runoff.
Across the Hawaiian Islands, 88,000 cesspools release an estimated 53 million gallons of raw sewage into Hawaiʻi’s waterways every day. Sewage pollution contributes to high nutrient, bacterial, and pathogen levels in the nearshore marine environment—a serious health hazard to people and reefs. On Hawaiʻi 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.
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 Lānaiʻi, Molokaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe.
Hawai‘i Program Staff
Manuel Mejia
Regional Program Director
Taylor Cook
Conservation Program Coordinator
Erica Perez
Senior Program Manager
Makayla Richmond
Maui Nui Program Manager
When Hawai’i’s reefs thrive, so do communities
Coral reefs are a source of life and inspiration, particularly in Hawai’i where they play such a significant role in Hawaiian culture. We can all play a role in keeping coral reefs healthy, and protecting these underwater treasures for generations to come.
Hawai’i Stories
“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 →
Harmonizing for a Sustainable Future
Honolulu, September 14, 2023 The sounds of strings, piano, harp, opera, and ukuleles resonated through the warm Hawaiian night as the second edition of Music on the Reef graced Honolulu. This annual event, conceived as a heartfelt thank-you to our generous donors, took on a new dimension in light of recent events and became a… 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 →
CORAL Hosts a Fundraising Event with Jake Shimabukuro to Support Hawai‘i’s Coral Reefs
On July 28, CORAL hosted its first fundraising event since the start of the pandemic. The event was in Honolulu, Hawai‘i and served as an opportunity for guests to enjoy a night of music and learn about coral reef conservation on the Hawaiian Islands. Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro performed a series of inspiring songs, while… Continue Reading →