Coral Regeneration in Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii

This is the action plan copied from the 2022 Community magazine for Kealakekua Bay.
The original name was Kapukapu Bay.

Our Vision

Kealakekua Bay is a living spiritual place. It is a vibrant ecosystem interwoven with traditional knowledge and practises, honoured and cultivated through understanding and reverence of this wahi pana (sacred place).

Kealakekua Bay is one of the 5 Marine Life Conservation Districts (MLCDs) on the Island of Hawaii. Kealakekua Bay has both salt water and freshwater springs (puna wai) flowing into it. This helps to sustain the multitude of marine life as they bring nutrients from the earth’s core. 25% of the marine species here in Hawaii are endemic, meaning that they are found nowhere else in the world. Watch out for the  numerous lava tubes with this cold underground water that gives your body a jolt when you encounter them during a swim!

Coral reefs are the largest continuous living structures on Earth. They are composed of colonies of individual polyps some of which are smaller than the head of a pin. The coral has suffered through raising temperatures and from farming on the uplands that causes soil erosion allowing chemicals to enter the bay. Unfortunately, the use of Roundup and other toxic substances has not been banned yet on the Big Island of Hawaii. Sunscreen also introduces harmful chemicals into the water and so only ‘Reef safe sunscreen’ is permitted. A rash guard vest is a great alternative to sunscreen.
You can find the details here.

https://www.wildhawaii.org/is-my-sunscreen-actually-reef-safe-celebrating-the-new-sunscreen-rules-in-hawaii/

Living coral that has broken off and fallen onto the sand can be used to create new mounds. The living part is saved and cut into small inch squares with a diamond saw and then epoxied onto the rocks of the seabed. The small pieces grow together to produce a larger mound. The new polyps grow about one centimetre a month. An alternative method that is being tested is to use nursery beds placed in the ocean. This is more expensive but might produce better results. Research is happening at a new research centre in Kona.

https://bigislandnow.com/2023/07/01/new-program-aims-to-save-west-hawaiis-coral-reef/

There are about 70 species in Hawaiian waters with lobe coral, cauliflower coral, red rice coral, finger coral, false brain coral and plate coral among the most common.

It will be wonderful when we appreciate and respect all places as sacred and listen to all parties involved so we can collaborate, working in partnership.

‘A’ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia
No task is too big when done together by all.

Thank you to Olesandr Sushko @wolfalexs for the beautiful coral image.