Big Island’s Kahalu‘u Beach Park to close for cauliflower coral

Kahalu‘u Beach Park on the Big Island’s Kona coast will be closed from May 5 through 12 due to coral spawning.

The closure aims to enhance the spawning of cauliflower coral, a vital process for rejuvenating the coral reef ecosystem. The Kohala Center’s Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center and the State of Hawai‘i Division of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources are asking the public to voluntarily refrain from swimming and snorkeling in Kahaluʻu Bay during the closure to enhance the spawning of cauliflower coral.

Coral gametes will more likely be able to find suitable reef areas to recolonize within the bay if given a chance to settle undisturbed by human activity and/or pollutants. The Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center and its ReefTeach program are encouraging proper reef etiquette to mitigate negative human impact on coral reef ecosystems.

The Department of Parks & Recreation and the Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center appreciate the public’s understanding and respect for this vital coral recovery and replenishment process. For more information, please get in touch with the Kahalu’u Bay Education Center at (808) 895-1010.