The first community-led coral reef restoration project on the Island of Hawaiʻi, Kanu Ko‘a, has been launched by The Nature Conservancy, Hawai‘i and Palmyra (TNC) and the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee (KMLAC). "The Nature Conservancy, Hawai‘i and Palmyra, and the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee launches coral reef restoration project," said TNC. This initiative is a combined effort of Hawaiian culture, local community engagement, and scientific coral restoration techniques to boost the growth and recovery of coral reefs.
During an event held for this initiative, participants from TNC and local community members collected broken-off coral fragments due to recent high swells to prevent their demise. The fragments were subsequently cut into 1-inch pieces by scuba divers who then attached them to the reef with epoxy. "The primary goal of the project is to enhance the resilience of coral reefs in the face of climate change and other threats, as coral health in Hawai'i has been deteriorating due to factors such as overfishing, pollution, and coral bleaching," said TNC.
Kahuwai Bay was chosen for restoration due to its well-managed status, limited pollution sources, and its location within the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve. According to a release from TNC, monitoring will continue over the next year to determine effective methods for planting ko‘a—be it through whole pieces or fragments or nursery-grown fragments.
This initiative aims at bridging cultural traditions with scientific knowledge in order to advance coral reef restoration. It hopes not only for success within Hawai'i but also seeks valuable insights that could be used in expanding similar initiatives globally.