The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is seeking public feedback on a coral planting project aimed at restoring reef ecosystems in Hawaii. The initiative involves the selection of nearshore locations to help rebuild reefs and provide educational opportunities for residents and visitors.
“These sites were selected because of their need for restoration and the strong likelihood of successful coral outplanting,” said Christina Jayne, curator of DAR’s Hawaiʻi Coral Restoration Nursery. She emphasized the importance of stakeholder input, noting that those who frequently access these sites can offer valuable insights into subtle changes in the reef.
Hawaii's coral species are unique to its waters and grow slowly compared to other global corals, making natural recovery difficult. The project plans to plant 80-100 nursery-grown corals at chosen sites by the end of 2026.
Opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback include an in-person meeting on March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Waikīkī Aquarium Classroom, where light refreshments will be available, and guests can visit the exhibit hall after the meeting. Additionally, two Zoom meetings are scheduled for April 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and April 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
More information about this project can be found on DLNR's website.