Paradise at Risk: 6 Ways to Help Save Hawaii’s Reefs

Mar 144 min read

Hawaii's coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support diverse marine life, protect shorelines from erosion, and play a key role in the local economy through tourism and fisheries. They also hold deep cultural significance in Hawaiian traditions. Preserving our reefs ensures the survival of marine biodiversity, safeguards coastal communities, and honors Hawaii's natural heritage.

Admire coral reefs from a distance. Even a gentle touch can harm their fragile structure.

The HEPA Filter of the Sea

Coral acts like a HEPA filter for the ocean by cleaning and maintaining water quality. It captures particles and nutrients from the water, supporting marine life and keeping ecosystems balanced. Just as HEPA filters purify the air, coral reefs play a crucial role in filtering and sustaining the health of our oceans!

Did You Know? Hawaiian beach sand is largely composed of broken-down coral. Over time, waves, weather, and marine life break coral skeletons into tiny, sand-like particles. Many of Hawaii’s stunning beaches are made up of these coral fragments, along with shells, algae, and other marine debris, creating their unique textures and colors.

Even more fascinating—parrotfish are nature’s sand factories! Depending on the species, a single parrotfish can produce an astonishing 200 to 1,000 pounds (90 to 450 kilograms) of sand each year by eating coral.

😃🤿 Snorkel Tip: For the clearest underwater views, choose bays with healthy coral reefs instead of sandy bays. Coral reefs stabilize the water, reducing sediment and offering vibrant, crystal-clear visibility, perfect for an unforgettable snorkeling experience!

How You Can Help Protect Fragile Coral Reefs?

1. Look, Don’t Touch or Step

Hawaii’s coral reefs are fragile ecosystems vital to marine life. Avoid stepping on or touching them while swimming, snorkeling, surfing, or diving, as even one step can cause lasting damage. Instead, float or stand on sandy areas and admire these natural treasures from a safe distance to help keep them thriving for future generations.

2. Practice Responsible Snorkeling and Diving

Hawaii's clear waters draw many snorkelers and divers eager to observe the coral reefs up close. However, negligent behavior can harm these delicate ecosystems. Always practice responsible snorkeling and diving: avoid touching, walking, standing, or laying on coral reefs, as even small contact can damage them.

Eye-level view of a diver exploring a colorful coral reef — Snorkeling over coral from a safe social distance

Stay on Designated Paths: When diving or snorkeling, follow marked routes to avoid damaging coral habitats.

3. Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Choose sunscreen without harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which damage coral. Look for "reef-safe" labels and mineral-based sunscreens.

4. Don't Collect Coral

Leave coral and shells where they belong. Removing them disrupts the ecosystem and diminishes its beauty for others.

😄 Fun Fact: Coral are live animals, not plants.

While they look like underwater plants or rocks, corals are actually animals, specifically colonies of tiny polyps.

5. Support Eco-Friendly Businesses

Choose local, eco-friendly businesses that protect marine ecosystems and reinvest in the community. These businesses often educate visitors on reef preservation, making your support both impactful and meaningful. Supporting small, locally-owned businesses is especially impactful—they often have a smaller blue-print, and a deeper connection to Hawaii's natural resources and culture and reinvest revenue right back into their local community.

6. Participate in Conservation Activities

Visitors to Hawaii can make a meaningful impact by dedicating a portion of their trip to volunteer activities organized by local non-profits. These responsible tourism efforts may include beach cleanups, native tree planting, or helping to restore coral reefs. By contributing time and effort, visitors not only give back to the islands but also gain a deeper connection to Hawaii’s culture and environment. Volunteering is a rewarding way to support conservation, preserve the beauty of Hawaii’s ecosystems, and ensure future generations can experience the paradise we enjoy today.

These are three non-profit organizations in Kona that invite volunteers to join their mission of safeguarding Hawaii's valuable coral reefs and beaches.

Unsustainable Tourism: Touching, stepping on, or removing coral damages these fragile structures. Sunscreens with harmful chemicals like oxybenzone contribute to coral bleaching. — **Unsustainable Tourism:** Touching, stepping on, or removing coral damages these fragile structures. Sunscreens with harmful chemicals like oxybenzone contribute to coral bleaching.

Surfer’s Connection to Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are incredibly important to Hawaii's surfing community. They create and shape the waves that surfers love, forming natural breaks that produce some of the best surf spots in the world. Without coral reefs, many of Hawaii's iconic surf breaks wouldn't exist. Reefs also act as natural barriers, protecting beaches from erosion and reducing the impact of large swells on coastal areas. This helps preserve the coastline, ensuring surfers continue to have access to clean and sustainable beaches.

Taking Action for Tomorrow

Protecting Hawaii’s coral reefs starts with you and me. By committing to just a few simple actions, we can make a real difference in preserving the beauty and health of these underwater treasures. It’s all about doing our part and joining the community in this essential conservation journey. Together, we can ensure future generations get to marvel at Hawaii’s stunning reefs just like we do today.

Let’s start making small changes now—because even the smallest effort can lead to big benefits for our oceans!