1
General Public
Educate locals and visitors about the local reef, ocean health and kuleana through strategic outreach activities such as publications and social media.
2
K - 12
Outreach to students through presentations and coral reef activity kits.
3
Graduate & Undergraduate
Train college students on cutting-edge monitoring and data analysis of coral reef ecosystem health. Grad students will also be given opportunities to design and execute novel reef restoration research on Hawaiian coral reefs.
Collaboration
Ana Papa Ko'a
PLACE BASED MONITORING SYSTEM
Our goal is to provide a long-term marine resource monitoring system that is available to local communities that are actively incorporating indigenous management practices.
PARTNERSHIPS
Kuleana Coral seeks to partner with existing nonprofits and community groups that would benefit from marine monitoring and mapping beyond the shoreline. We can provide all equipment and staff needed to produce detailed underwater maps of reefs/seafloor in a target area . While we provide the scientific tools and ecological curriculum, we encourage participants to interpret data in ways that they determine to be relevant, and in the context of their home ahupua'a system, encompassing mauka to makai (mountain top - ocean bottom). As guests in these spaces, we value the opportunity to listen to our host’s experiences and mana’o (thoughts, suggestions) regarding the places we kilo (watch, observe, forecast) together.
MEASUREMENT
Kuleana Coral uses camera systems and computers as modern-day tools to Ana and apply the resulting data to traditional Hawaiian management practices. By incorporating indigenous resource management we believe that locals--and especially native Hawaiian communities--will be empowered, knowing that our ancestors knew how to malama ‘aina (care for the land), and that we can take an active role in that tradition today. This kuleana (stewardship) also creates a sense of ownership, given that we are tracking the recovery or decay of our own “backyard”. (link to monitoring page)
Typically in 1 field session we can produce 2 maps, each approximately 2500 sq ft of seafloor. Where we apply the mapping would be determined by your group and where you prioritize as important.
The greatest success would be the discovery of conditions that lead to actions that can be taken to make positive changes within your community.
Some areas may require major action, little action—some areas may need no action at all. The key is to understand what is happening in your ahupua’a and use scientific evidence to justify management decisions.
To achieve our goals we have identified an action plan that we hope fits your community needs. Please fill out our form below if you're interested in learning more or hosting a “Ana Papa Ko’a” program for your community group or 'ohana!
Let's talk story
Kuleana Coral is collecting oral histories from local Kupuna (the elders, the keepers of ancestral knowledge) and Lawai’a (professional fishermen). These elders remember times of subsistence fishing and resource management in the old traditions. The elder fishermen describe reefs and conditions that are already gone from around Oahu, and can often describe causes of rapid change.
To increase our archive of these oral histories, Kuleana Coral is always looking for someone else willing to talk story with us and share mo’olelo (history, myth, legend, story). If this is you or someone you know, please complete the contact form below.
Laulima
"MANY HANDS WORKING TOGETHER"
Collaboration with Local Univerities
We are coordinating with local universities to involve undergraduate students in data collection and analysis, and we encourage graduate students researching coral reef restoration to contact us about specialized collaboration opportunities.
Collaboration with Educational/Advocacy Groups
Kuleana Coral is available to collaborate with local educational and ocean advocacy groups by helping them to map and study their own coral reef jurisdictions and marine conservation areas.
Sustainable Tourism and Education
Kuleana Coral is working on several fronts to promote responsible tourism. We are developing relationships with local resorts to provide coral reef education and ocean awareness programs to visitors.