Coral Restoration

Our coral work combines hands-on restoration with local knowledge. Volunteers learn propagation and transplantation: growing small coral fragments in a nursery, then planting them back onto the reef where they can grow.

Restoration dives at Ka Hoʻihoʻi, outside Turtles, are open to trained volunteers. Community days on shore welcome everyone, from keiki to kūpuna.

As the kānāwai for koʻa reminds us, he pūkoʻa kani ʻāina: a coral reef that grows into an island. Persistent, consistent steps.

In September of 2024 Hoʻōla Hāniʻo met with Kuleana Coral and the State’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) for their first collaboration in reef restoration. The weather was ideal and conditions mālie... it was definitely a special day! After searching out several locations, Hoʻōla Hāniʻo’s Poʻo Lawaiʻa, Damon Duhaylonsod, selected a restoration location. “This papa came high off the bottom, in-between two channels and just felt right,” exclaimed Damon. “I kept swimming, but kept coming back to the same papa. For some reason, I just knew.” And, in a coordinated effort, the vision and restoration of Hāniʻo began.

Through the months, Kuleana Coral has been diligently monitoring its growth, and in June of 2026 (21 months later), Kuleana Coral’s Restoration Manager, Blake Nowack, proudly announced, “There’s a compelling before and after visual comparison! We are seeing a very high survival rate, approximately 75%, with signs of positive growth!” What an awesome feeling. Mahalo ke Akua!