Active Restoration

On February 25, 2024, Ho’āla Kealakekua Nui, Inc., in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the State of Hawai‘i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), facilitated a ceremony to initiate a long-term, community-led coral restoration project. The DAR oversees the Kealakekua Bay Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD).

The ka‘ina (ceremonial agenda), developed by HKN’s Cultural and Education Chair Kanani Enos and President Shane Akoni Palacat-Nelsen, was designed to include people of all backgrounds and specialties. The event began with a wehena, a series of chants acknowledging the unique environment of Kealakekua Bay, the land, and the ancestors of that place.

Members of TNC, DAR, and the community went aboard Kinikini, a double-hulled waʻa (canoe), to collect coral colonies for the onshore coral propagation portion of the day. Corals were received on land by kūpuna and local community members. Once ashore, the community observed and participated in the coral fragmenting process. Akoni led the community in setting intentions for planting. All fragmented coral was returned to the waʻa for transport back to the reef, where trained SCUBA divers began out-planting the coral.

The event was a beautiful and successful day for both the community and the koʻa. This coral restoration program will continue periodically under the leadership of TNC and DAR.