#Division of Aquatic Resources
Everyone invited to participate in statewide ‘Makahiki Kuleana Kahakai’ coastal restoration day
Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources invites everyone in state to organize events on or about June 6 to mālama shorelines, waterways and community spaces that sustain life in Hawaiʻi.
Kahaluʻu Beach Park in Kailua-Kona to be closed several days at beginning of May
The Kohala Centerʻs ReefTeach program and Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources ask and urge the public to refrain from swimming, snorkeling and surfing in Kahaluʻu Bay during the closure to support the successful reproduction, settlement and recruitment of new cauliflower coral, as well as give Kahaluʻu this brief — yet essential — time for rejuvenation.
State warns of potential public health risks from whale carcass in waters off Kona Coast
Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources and its partners began monitoring the sperm whale carcass Feb. 6; waters from Makalawena to Honokōhau are of particular concern during the next few weeks.
New analysis finds Hawaiʻi reef fish did not recover after aquarium collecting ended
“These findings are significant because aquarium collecting has repeatedly been justified by claims of sustainability and rapid reef fish recovery once harvesting stops,” said For the Fishes Executive Director Rene Umberger. “Those claims are not supported by what actually happened on Hawaiʻi reefs.”
Mariners looking for emaciated humpback whale impacted by entanglement off Maui
NOAA is asking Maui’s boaters and water enthusiasts to be on the look out for a recently-entangled, 40-foot female humpback whale off the Lahaina shoreline of Maui.
Scientists, cultural practitioners continue to learn while collaborating to save coral reefs
Kahaluʻu Bay will take a strategic pause as the sacred coral ecosystem undergoes a crucial spawning period from May 11-19, 2025, a collaborative initiative praised for reviving cauliflower coral populations devastated by climate change.
On the job conservation: Hawaiian Adventures Kona recovers large ghost net during whale watching tour
Crew members of the ocean tour company’s vessel Artemis stepped up last week to remove a large mass of tangled marine debris — basically garbage — drifting off the Big Island’s Kona Coast while patient tour guests offered encouragement.
Dead humpback whale calf discovered on Maui shore
Staff from several state and federal agencies, with assistance from others, are working to tow the whale remains offhsore, as requested by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners.
Thousands of pounds of nets, derelict fishing gear removed off Hawai‘i Island coastline
The state divisions of Aquatic Resources and Boating and Ocean Recreation have been working together since 2021 through its Rapid Response Program to provide funding to nonprofits throughout Hawaiʻi to aid in marine debris cleanup efforts.
Honokōhau Harbor’s new Hawaiian monk seal pup neighbor welcomed, but maybe too much?
State and The Marine Mammal Center partner for public outreach and education campaign for fishers and boaters at West Hawai’i harbor to remind them that some actions can make the endangered 5-month-old monk seal rely on people for food or get too close to fishing hooks, etc.
‘Massive effort’: Hundreds of coral colonies recovered from Honokōhau harbor for restoration
Collaboration of conservation divers successfully removed and relocated nearly 11 years of coral growth from a decommissioned fish farm pipe ring during complex 3-day operation in West Hawai‘i waters.
Corals reattached following possible anchor damage in area of Kewalo Basin seafloor off Honolulu
Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Divison of Aquatic Resources divers will check on the colonies later this year to determine if further action is needed. Nonprofit Kuleana Coral Restoration is also conducting follow-up surveys and will submit updates to the state aquatic resources division and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NOAA ‘mother ship’ circling Hawaiian Islands as scientist scuba divers monitor coral reefs
Twenty scientists, in addition to crew members, are aboard Oscar Elton Sette, which departed its home port of Honolulu on July 1.
Kaua‘i fisherman finds oddity in belly of tuna; scientists identify rare octopus
Alan Okuhara of Mark’s Place is a scientist at heart; he and marine biologist Molly Lutcavage have a list of ‘marine mysteries’ to solve.
State Land Board takes into consideration cultural resource damage, public impacts in $1.8M fine for boat grounding
“We commend members of the community, especially those from Honolua, who came forward to share their concerns.”
BLNR Chair Dawn Chang
#BigIslandNow #BigIslandNews
Someone planted non-native coral at Kaua‘i beach; state relies on community to report fishy goings-on
Members of Reef Guardians – an ocean conservation nonprofit based on Kaua‘i and in Santa Barbara, California – first uncovered the strange coral in 2021.
Kahaluʻu Beach Park in Kona to be closed at end of May because of coral spawning
Marine heat waves in 2015 and 2019 caused catastrophic bleaching and mortality of more than 90% of the cauliflower coral population. In 2018, yearly rest periods were initiated in an effort to bring the coral back to the Big Island bay’s reef.
Big Island Now poll no. 51: Is an insurance policy for Hawai‘i’s coral reef worth it?
The state along with nonprofit partners are always working together to find ways to promote the health and protect Hawai‘i’s coral reefs.
Volunteers observe thousands of humpbacks in latest statewide whale count of 2024
A grand total of 2,141 whales were counted throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. This number may represent duplicate sightings of the same whale by different observers or at different time periods or different locations throughout the day.
Over 300 humpback whales sighted off Big Island shores on Saturday
Saturday was the first of three coordinated whale counts between Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count from the shores of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Molokaʻi and Hawai‘i Island and the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation from Maui and Lānaʻi.
