Restoring Reefs in South Maui

Establishing Community-Based Coral Restoration Areas to protect Maui’s local reefs

Giving damaged corals a second chance at survival through Community-Based Restoration Areas (CBCRA).

Maui’s coral reefs face increasing threats from rising ocean temperatures, sediment pollution, and human impact. In a community-driven effort to combat these challenges, a new Community-Based Coral Restoration Area has been established in South Maui, giving damaged corals a second chance at survival.

Through the CBCRA process, corals that have already been detached from the larger colony are collected and re-planted on bare reef where they will hopefully start to grow again. Reattaching these broken corals helps to extend their lifespan and can also increase coral cover in areas where its presence is low.

Over the course of 3 days in February, our team, along with partners from Kuleana Coral Restoration and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Aquatic Resources (DAR) established a CBCRA site in South Maui, off of Waipuʻilani Beach Park.

The teams only sourced corals found already detached from the reef, focusing on collecting grapefruit-sized (or larger) Large Rescued Colony (LRCs) and smaller coral fragments. Large Rescued Colony corals were prepared with a metal pin for reattachment while smaller, baseball-sized fragments were reattached directly to the bare reef using an adhesive.

Map of South Maui shows two sites marked within the Community-Based Coral Restoration Area.

Restoration work to establish two sites within the South Maui CBCRA was done in North Kihei. (Credit: Maui Nui Marine Resource Council)

The project began with a collaboration between the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council (MNMRC) and community members to identify potential areas for restoration work. “Kula Kai is facing many threats, so when this project came up, we thought, ‘Why not try? What do we have to lose?’” said Kanaka ʻŌiwi of Kula Moku, Vernon Kalanikau. “It is clear the reefs need help, and while we are also looking mauka for solutions to mitigate sediment run-off, the thought has always been, ‘What else can we do to help makai?’ We felt that if there is an opportunity to do something in the ocean, this is a good place to start. Considering the damage sediment run-off has caused to our reefs in Kula Kai for years, a project like this can only have positive outcomes and results.”

In addition to working with community members, MNMRC also worked with the State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) to evaluate site selections and hosted DAR staff on Day 2 of the project.“Protecting our local reefs is of critical importance,” said DAR Aquatic Biologist, Russell Sparks. “Being a part of this project was a great opportunity to support restoration work in South Maui and train our team in new coral restoration methods to build capacity for future work on Maui.”

Large Rescued Colony (LRC) corals were prepared with metal pins and reattached to holes drilled in bare areas of the reef. (Photo Credit: Kuleana Coral Restoration)

Large Rescued Colony corals ready to be planted back onto the reef. (Photo Credit: Kuleana Coral Restoration)

Smaller coral fragments were reattached to the reef using an adhesive. (Photo Credit: Kuleana Coral)

Smaller coral fragments were reattached to the reef using an adhesive. (Photo Credit: Kuleana Coral Restoration)

Our hope is that restoration areas will not only enhance marine biodiversity but also strengthen coastal resilience efforts across Maui.

MNMRC has a long history of launching projects and initiatives to address the many factors influencing reef health. Last year, we launched our reef-friendly landscaping certification course to complement the test plots started by businesses in Maui. This built on our previous erosion mitigation efforts like gulch sediment removal and deer fencing for upstream ranches. We also organization also conduct water quality monitoring at 41 sites in Maui, scientific studies, and reef monitoring dives throughout the year.

A Large Rescued Colony coral found broken off from the reef. (Photo Credit: Kuleana Coral Restoration)

By creating community-based coral restoration areas, MNMRC aims to enhance the impact of conservation work already taking place on land and in the water.

“Whenever possible, we try to connect different efforts, so that we can make an even greater impact in one area or create a network of related projects from mauka to makai,” said Executive Director, Amy Hodges. “When we connect projects or communities together, impact is multiplied and change can happen at a faster pace.”

On the first day, teams source Corals of Opportunity (COO) that were found already broken off from the reef. (Photo Credit: Kuleana Coral Restoration)

Teams collected Corals of Opportunity (COO) ranging from fragments the size of a baseball or smaller, to colony corals the size of a grapefruit or larger. (Photo Credit: Kuleana Coral Restoration)

While the process is still new to Maui, there is interest in creating CBCRAs from communities in West Maui that are already doing water quality monitoring or reef-friendly landscaping. “Our goal is to accelerate conservation efforts in Maui by helping communities who want to create their own CBCRAs and to provide training so they have the skills and knowledge needed to sustain long-term reef health,” said Hodges.

Two divers swimming over a coral colony holding detached Large Rescued Colony (LRC) coral

Large Rescued Colony (LRC) corals collected for reattachment to the reef in South Maui. (Photo Credit: Kuleana Coral Restoration)

The team from Maui Nui Marine Resource Council will continue to maintain the two sites going forward and monitor restored corals for signs of growth.

Support for community-based coral restoration provided by the County of Maui Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability.

NOTE: Please do NOT touch any live coral without obtaining a permit. Special permits are required for handling coral in Hawai’i [SAP 2025-12].

Mahalo to the people and organizations who believe in protecting Maui’s reefs

Amazing partners and supporters are the reason this work was able to take place. Mahalo nui for the time, expertise, and financial support that was given to create this CBCRA in South Maui.