Isle reefs victims
of own beautyReefs help generate tourism
revenue, but human activities
constitute a threat, too
Hawaii's 410,000 acres of living coral reef generate $364 million a year for the state's economy, but the natural resource is also endangered by a host of human activities, a new study concludes.
Overfishing, ocean recreation, coastal development and pollution are threatening the island's coral reef ecosystems, according to a publication released yesterday that compiles four years of research.
"The First Four Years: Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program," which was released yesterday at a news conference at the Waikiki Aquarium, also notes that alien species as well as sediment and nutrient runoff are harming the reefs.
"Unless we do something about it, it's not going to get better at all," said Michael Hamnett, director of the Coral Reef Initiative Research Program.
The publication summarizes the first four years of research -- from 1998 to 2002 -- under a research program established by the Department of Land & Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii in 1998 to help manage the state's coral reef resources.
"It has been a considerable effort," said Hamnett.
Coral reef researchers are now in their sixth year and continue to work with the state. A data analyst also was recently hired to help develop a coral reef monitoring system. The publication stresses the need for greater monitoring of reefs.
Researchers said most of the threats to Hawaii's reefs are either directly or indirectly related to human activity, including trampling by snorkelers who flock to popular sites such as Hanauma Bay.
Snorkelers and divers account for the bulk of the money spent on reef-related activities, the researchers noted.
About $304 million, or 84 percent of the $364 million total, comes from snorkeling and diving each year, they said.
Only a few high-profile reefs, such as Hanauma and Kaneohe bays, suffer any real threat from shallow-water snorkelers who often stand on the coral, the study noted. In those areas, researchers concluded, coral death can be prevented if "the amount of direct human contact is minimized."
"We need to have continuing efforts to identify and mitigate emerging threats to coral reefs and to plan, implement and monitor new management efforts," Hamnett said. "If not, the value and natural beauty of Hawaii's reefs will continue to degrade. The loss of our coastal reefs holds serious environmental, economic and cultural implications for Hawaii and the world."
Alexander Gould, the 9-year-old actor who was the voice of clown fish Nemo in the Disney movie "Finding Nemo," spoke to about a dozen children at Waikiki Aquarium yesterday on what they can do to help take care of the ocean.
"It's up to you and me," said Alexander, who became interested in the ocean while he worked on the movie. "If you want to keep playing on the beach for years to come, then we have to take care of that."
Researchers plan to release the book to Hawaii's public schools to educate children on what can be done to protect coral reefs.
The 72-page publication is available on the Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program's Web site at www.hawaii.edu/ssri/hcri. A limited number of copies are also available through the research program's office at 956-7479.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.