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
Taylor Cook
Conservation Program Coordinator
Erica Perez
Senior Manager and Head of Sanitation, Hawai'i
Makayla Rickard
Maui Nui Program Manager
Sarah Severino
Maui Nui Program Research Coordinator
Dr. Brian Kastl
Maui Nui Project 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
Introducing the Team Behind Hawai’i’s Reef Conservation
Aloha! 🌺 As we embark on our 30th year at CORAL, we’re thrilled to spotlight the dedicated teams leading the charge in coral conservation. First up, our Hawai’i team. In Hawai’i, coral reefs are the heart of culture, tradition, and environmental health. These reefs are crucial for the local economy and coastal protection, hosting an… Continue Reading →
New Year, New Habits ✨ Your Guide to a Greener 2024
Happy New Year, folks! Welcome to 2024 – a fresh start and a new opportunity to make a real difference for our oceans. We all know the oceans are facing some tough times, but there’s plenty of room for optimism. This year, let’s focus on the small, everyday changes that can have a huge impact… Continue Reading →
2023 Year in Review, Ocean-Style
As we welcome in 2024 and anticipate the exciting developments ahead, let’s pause to reflect on the impact we made together in 2023. It was a year filled with significant achievements, insightful articles, and some fantastic new faces joining our team. We invite you to join us in revisiting the standout moments that made 2023… Continue Reading →
Protecting Molokai’s Coral Reefs with the Restoration of Ancient Hawaiian Fish Ponds
A Vital Mission for a Sustainable Future In the crystal clear waters surrounding Molokai, the legacy of Ka Honua Momona (KHM) spans generations, rooted in the island’s rich heritage. Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) and Ka Honua Momona have recently joined hands in a shared commitment to preserving Hawaii’s precious coastal ecosystems. Their partnership aims to… 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 Rickard 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 →