Maui Nui Marine Resource Council

Free Talk: “Dr. Dolittle Meets CSI on the Coral Reefs of Maui” on Weds., Sept. 5
2018-09-05 17:30 - 2018-09-19 19:30 UTC | Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms, 300 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI, 96793, United States
Forensics and diagnostics are all part of the scientific study of coral reefs, which is why Bob Richmond Ph.D., Research Professor and Director of Kewalo Marine Laboratory at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, will be presenting a free talk titled, “Dr. Dolittle Meets CSI on the Coral Reefs of Maui” at the upcoming September 5 meeting of the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. This event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s classrooms at the ocean-facing lower level of the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops, 300 Ma’alaea Road, Ma’alaea (next to Maui Ocean Center).
Dr. Richmond’s talk will explain how his team is using diagnostics and forensics to identify causes of stress to Maui’s reefs at Olowalu, Waihikuli, and Honokowai, along with ways to enhance the reef’s resistance to these stressors.
Dr. Richmond’s childhood fascination with Dr. Dolittle helped inspire his approach to studying reefs by “listening” to coral reefs and other reef creatures through the use of ecological indicators and molecular biomarkers.
“Maui has some of the most well developed coral reefs in the Main Hawaiian Islands, but these have been negatively affected by local and global stressors including land-based sources of pollution and sedimentation from watershed discharges, overfishing, and bleaching due to climate change,” said Dr. Richmond.

“Our research blends traditional ecological knowledge with ecology and molecular biology to both diagnose and treat the causes of coral reef decline,” he noted. “Our approach can best be described as Dr. Dolittle meets CSI (crime scene investigations) on coral reefs and uses a combination of diagnostics and forensics.”
“The results of our reef studies on reefs at Waihikuli, Honokowai and Olowalu will be presented and ideas for helping these reefs recover will be discussed,” he said.
Dr. Richmond is the Chair of the Maui Coral Reef Recovery Team, a group of Hawaii’s most recognized coral reef scientists, resource managers, fishers, cultural advisors and community members, first convened by Maui Nui Marine Resource Council in 2010. The group wrote the Maui Coral Reef Recovery Plan, a 101-page science-based plan that outlines specific goals and steps to protect Maui’s coral reefs. Team members continue to meet regularly to provide guidance and monitor progress toward implementing the plan.
Dr. Richmond has spent the majority of his professional career studying coral reefs in Micronesia, Hawaii, Japan, Central America, the Galapagos Islands and the Caribbean. His research interests are in the area of marine conservation biology, with a focus on coral reefs. His research programs include studies of coral reproductive biology, ecotoxicology, coral reef ecology, the impacts of climate change and bridging sound science to policy development and implementation.

Dr. Richmond received a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the Dept. of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY at Stony Brook, and subsequently spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, 18 years on the faculty of the University of Guam Marine Laboratory, and has been a Research Professor at the Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, since 2004.
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is funding Dr. Richmond’s studies of corals in Olowalu and Ma’alaea. A nonprofit organization founded in 2007, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is working for clean ocean water, healthy coral reefs and an abundance of native fish for the islands of Maui County. To learn more, visit www.mauireefs.org.

Free Presentation by Mark Deakos: Chasing Happiness and Its Impact on the Planet
2018-08-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms, 300 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI, 96793, United States
Is it possible to have long, healthy and happy lives for all people across the globe without destroying our planet’s natural resources? This upcoming talk by Mark Deakos PhD will explore the science of happiness and how pursuing selfish interests can actually be good for the planet.
Don’t miss it! The presentation will take place at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 1, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s classrooms at the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops. (Please note the new later start time. However, the doors will open at 5 pm.) The public is invited and refreshments will be served.
About Mark Deakos:
Mark was fortunate to experience living in various countries around the globe during his early years. A common thread in his life has always been water. At one time a competitive swimmer and water polo player, Mark now spends much of his time in saltwater as an avid scuba diver, free diver, kayaker, and mariner. His chosen career working in wildlife biology and marine research is an extension of his passion for the natural world and his marvel of the ocean environment.
Mark obtained his biology degree from the University of
Dr. Mark Deakos
Waterloo in Canada where he began pursuing his interest in wildlife biology. After working with several avian and reptile species, his interests rapidly returned to the ocean and towards marine mammals, which eventually led him to Hawaii in 1996.
At the University of Hawaii, he completed his master’s degree studying humpback whale behavior, and completed his doctoral degree in 2010 focusing on manta ray ecology. In 2004, he founded The Hawaii Association for Marine Education and Research (HAMER), a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation with the mission of better understanding and protecting Hawaii’s marine resources.
Aside from his continued involvement to learn about and protect manta rays here in Hawaii, Mark is the Deputy Program Manager for HDR managing the Navy’s Protected Species Monitoring Program in the Pacific and is an active member of various community groups working towards solutions to some of our greatest environmental threats.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council July Meeting
2018-07-11 17:00 - 18:30 | Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms, 300 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI, 96793, United States
Due to the 4th of July holiday, our July meeting of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council will be pushed back by one week to Wednesday, July 11.
The public is invited to learn more about the impacts of climate change on Maui’s coastal areas, including big waves, flooding, erosion and more, at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s meeting on Wednesday, July 11 from 5 to 7 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s classrooms at the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops.
The climate change presentation will be offered by these guest presenters:
– Bradley Romine, PhD, Coastal Management and Resilience Specialist, University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program, Center for Coastal and Climate Science and Resilience.
– Tara Owens, Coastal Processes and Hazards Specialist, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program (partnered with Maui County’s Planning Department).
Attendees are welcome to bring questions about managed retreat, beach replenishment and other issues relating to the impact of climate change on Maui’s shorelines.
The meeting is free and open to all. Refreshments will be provided. If convenient, please bring an item to share on the refreshment table.
Established in 2007, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to clean ocean water, healthy coral reefs and abundant native fish for Maui County.
To learn more, visit www.mauireefs.org.
Presenter bios:
– Bradley Romine, PhD
Coastal Management and Resilience Specialist
University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program,
Center for Coastal and Climate Science and Resilience
Brad’s role as University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant extension faculty is to provide bridges between the university, our communities, and government to meet the complimentary goals of conserving coastal environments and reducing natural hazards risk to shoreline development. He works closely with the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands at the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and interfaces with other government agencies and the public on collaborative projects to support planning and decision-making based on the latest and best-available coastal and climate science. Recently, he provided scientific and technical guidance to the DLNR for the development of the Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report. He is also leading the development of science-based planning tools and guidance to improve resilience to coastal hazards and sea level rise in Hawaiʻi through funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Brad completed his PhD in Geology and Geophysics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2013 and has published research articles on coastal geology, beach processes, shoreline change, and sea level rise impacts in Hawaiʻi.

– Tara Owens
Coastal Processes and Hazards Specialist, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program

Tara Owens is Extension Faculty with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, specializing in coastal processes and coastal hazards. Partnered with Maui County’s Planning Department, Tara’s role is to “bridge the gap” between science and policy and planning for improved coastal management by providing technical guidance, consultations, site visits, and public outreach. Tara also interfaces with other government agencies and the public on collaborative projects pertaining to coastal hazards, including beach erosion and sea-level rise impacts. Tara earned a bachelor of science degree in marine science from Coastal Carolina University, and a master’s degree in coastal geology from the University of Hawaii. She was hired by UH Sea Grant and moved back to Hawaii in 2010 after working for 7 years in the federal government at the U.S. Geological Survey in St. Petersburg, Florida and then at the NOAA Coastal Services Center in Charleston, SC.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council June Meeting
2018-06-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms, 300 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI, 96793, United States
Come learn, be inspired and meet others who share your interest in protecting Mauiʻs coral reefs and nearshore ocean waters. Our June meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 6, from 5 to 6:30 pm at Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms at the Maʻalaea Harbor Shops. Refreshments will be served, admission is free, and every meeting features a guest speaker.

Our guest presentation this month will be on “Restoring the Natural Function of Mauiʻs Ahupuaʻa to Protect Mauiʻs Coral Reefs” by Jennifer Vander Veur, Maui Program Manager of Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL). Vander Veur will speak about work that CORAL is doing to restore natural filtration processes within Mauiʻs ​ahupuaʻa (watersheds​)​ to prevent land-based water pollution from ​flowing into the sea and ​degrading ​coral ​reefs. We hope to see you there!

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Maui Nui Marine Resource Council's Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, May 2
2018-05-02 17:00 - 18:30 | Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms, 300 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI, 96793, United States
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council invites the public to its next meeting on Wednesday, May 2, featuring guest presentations by Lucienne De Naie and Adriane Raff Corwin.
Lucienne De Naieʻs presentation will be on “Updates on efforts to restore streamflow to Maui’s reefs and effects on fisheries.” Adriane Raff Corwin will be speaking about the Hukilike No Maui Coalition and also efforts to keep harmful sunscreen chemicals out of our nearshore ocean ecoystems.
The meeting will take place from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms at the Maʻalaea Harbor Shops. Admission is free, everyone is invited and refreshments will be provided.
Lucienne De Naie lives in rural east Maui and is active with stream and watershed restoration projects. She is a a founding member and a director of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, as well as a founding member of Maui Cultural Lands, Inc. and the Maui Coastal Land Trust (now Hawaiian Islands Land Trust.) Lucienne has served on the Mayor’s Open Space Zoning Advisory Committee, the Maui General Plan Advisory Committee and serves as Conservation Chair and hike leader for the Maui Sierra Club. She also authored a report on Maui’s fresh water resources.
Adriane Raff Corwin is the Sierra Club Group Coordinator. Adriane has been a community organizer for over ten years and received her Master’s Degree in Political Science and Futures Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
The meeting will include updates on Maui Nui Marine Resource Councilʻs work as a nonprofit community organization to restore clean ocean water, protect coral reefs and bring back abundant native fish to the nearshore areas of the islands of Maui County.
To learn more about Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, please visit www.mauireefs.org.

Lucienne De Naie

Adriane Raff Corwin

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council Monthly Meeting: Wednesday, April 4
2018-04-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms, 300 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI, 96793, United States
The crackling sounds of snapping shrimp are part of the rich soundscape of a coral reef — soundscapes that can provide helpful clues about the health of the reef. The public is invited to learn more about what was discovered during an acoustic study of seven Maui reefs at a free presentation by Eden Zang at the Wednesday, April 4 meeting of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.
The meeting will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center classrooms at the ocean level of the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.  Eden Zang, Managing Director of Oceanwide Science Institute, will explain how passive acoustic monitoring can be utilized to reveal clues about coral reef communities and will share results from a 16 month acoustic study from seven reefs around Maui.
Eden Zang joined Oceanwide Science Institute (OSI) in March 2014 as a Research Specialist and is now OSI’s Managing Director. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, Eden’s focus is on processing and analyzing acoustic data, scientific diving, assisting in the coordination of field efforts, and marine mammal vessel based surveys. She has been involved with projects that involve whales, dolphins, fish, marine invertebrates, and effects of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment. She has a B.A. in Human Communication and participated in University of Hawaii’s Marine Option Program. In addition to OSI, Eden is the Maui Marine Mammal Response Network Assistant for NOAA Fisheries, (contractor with Lynker Technologies, Inc.) and has held various positions with private, state and federal organizations in animal husbandry, scientific diving, and protected resource management.
The meeting will also provide updates about ocean water quality testing and other projects that are underway at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, the host of the meeting. Refreshments will be served.

March Monthly Meeting
2018-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms, 300 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI, 96793, United States
March 7: Join us for our Maui Nui Marine Resource Council Monthly Meeting with a special guest presentation by Russell Sparks. 7 to 9 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s classrooms at the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops. Free admission and refreshments. Everyone is welcome!

Flatbread Company Benefit
2018-01-30 17:00 - 22:00 | Flatbread Company, 89 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI, 96779, United States
Enjoy some exceptionally delicious pizza at Flatbread Company at 89 Hana Highway in Paia on Tuesday, January 30 between 5 pm and 10 pm and help raise needed funds for Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s work to restore healthy coral reefs, clean ocean water and abundant native fish for the islands of Maui County. The Flatbread Company will donate $3.50 for each large flatbread and $1.75 for each small flatbread sold during the benefit. Come join the fun, and meet our MNMRC team and learn about MNMRC’s newest projects and programs for 2018.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council January Meeting
2018-01-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Pacific Whale Foundationʻs classrooms, 300 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI, 96793, United States
The public is invited to attend the Wednesday, January 3 meeting of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, for updates on our work to protect reefs, restore clean ocean water and bring back abundant native fish to our reefs. The meeting is free and open to all.
The meeting will take place from 5 to 7 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s classrooms at Ma’alaea Harbor Shops.
Refreshments will be provided.
