By Mike Severns, Star-Bulletin
Coral and reef fish are making a comeback
at Molokini Island near Maui.
Molokini Island rebirth
threatened by success
The island, once a bombing target,
By Gary Kubota
has been a state bird sanctuary since 1978
Star-BulletinMAALAEA, Maui -- Michael Severns is amazed at the recovery of sections of Molokini Island's coral bottom that were once destroyed by storms and boat anchors. "The coral is spreading out into rubble bottom and is cementing it down," said Severns, who has been diving there since the mid-1970s.
"I see a lot of reef fish out there. I'd say there's a marked improvement."
Lying three miles off south Maui, the reef waters surrounding this crescent-shaped island have undergone a dramatic recovery since the state installed boat moorings in 1988.
Divers say the lack of major storms, such as a couple in the early 1980s, has also contributed to the reef's regeneration.
The island, once a target for U.S. military bombing, has served as a state-managed bird sanctuary since 1978. Waters extending 100 yards around the island have been designated as Molokini Shoals Marine Life Conservation District since 1978.
With crystal clear waters often with 200-feet visibility, the island's reef is a major Maui attraction for snorkelers and divers with an average of 1,250 visitors daily.
It generates an estimated $21 million annually, according to industry observers.
"It's marketed so well that it would be devastating to many visitors if they didn't go there," said Toni Davis of Pride Charters Inc.
State officials worry that too much success could be devastating for the marine area.
In addition to banning the taking of resources from Molokini waters, the state has limited the number of commercial boat permits to about 40. There is no limit on recreational boating.
By Mike Severns, Special to the Star-Bulletin
Pauline Fiene-Severns looks at some fish as she swims in
the waters of Molokini Island. The island attracts an average
of 1,250 visitors each day, tourism officials say.
Officials are working with commercial users to also develop an ocean management plan and are conducting a study to measure the changes in sea life through underwater photography."We want to measure the coral cover," said Skippy Hau, a state aquatics biologist. "We're also looking at the increase there is in algae."
Commercial boaters say more assistance is needed to maintain the shoal, including money to replace the old moorings.
In the past, divers have initiated action to maintain the shoals. They helped to install the state moorings in 1988.
They have also supported the removal, rather than detonation, of unexploded ordnances found within the shoals.
Recently, dive tours have been raising funds to buy new moorings because the state has been unable to get the money to replace them.
James Housch, a spokesman for Maui Commercial Boaters and Ocean Affiliated Transportation, said ocean recreational activities generate more than $600 million in revenues annually but have received little support. His group is supporting Gov. Ben Cayetano's request to double the budget of the aquatic resources division.
Severns worries about the poaching that continues in the shoals and hopes the state gets more enforcement officers to protect the area. But he said the poaching seems to have decreased because most people who go there want to protect it.
"I think there's just more respect for the wildlife," he said.
"The people who make their living from the island are the ones most adamant to protect it."
