The Division of Aquatic Resourcesis calling on the community to voice their preferences in the restoration of Oʻahu’s coral reefs. With potential transplanting sites in Waikīkī and South Shore O‘ahu, public participation is crucial for selecting where the outplanting will take place, as reported by the State of Hawaii.
Two options have been laid out for Waikīkī—either Turtle Canyon or the Waikīkī Marine Life Conservation District could serve as the new home for the nursery-grown corals. In the South Shore area, stakeholders must choose between Kewalo and Maunalua Bay, specifically offshore of Kawaikui Beach Park/Hawai‘i Loa ridge. "These sites were selected because of their need for restoration and the strong likelihood of successful coral outplanting," Christina Jayne, curator of Division of Aquatic Resources Hawaiʻi Coral Restoration Nursery, as stated in the State of Hawaii announcement. Division of Aquatic Resources emphasizes the importance of feedback from those who frequently visit these spots, as their observations can guide effective decision making.
Hawaiʻi's unique corals are not just rare; they grow at a much slower pace than their global counterparts, adding to the complexity of natural recovery efforts. With a goal to plant between 80-100 corals by the end of 2026, the project hopes to rejuvenate the reef ecosystem vital to local marine life, as per the State of Hawaii.
The Division of Aquatic Resources is holding an in-person meeting on March 27 at the Waikīkī Aquarium Classroom, with refreshments and access to the exhibit afterward. Two Zoom meetings will also be held on April 1 and April 9 for those who prefer a virtual option. More details and links to the online meetings are available on the Division of Aquatic Resources’s website, as per the State of Hawaii.
