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Free Presentation on Using Artificial Reefs and Other Offshore Wave Dissipation Techniques to Protect Eroding Coastlines on Maui

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The public is invited to a free presentation on Wednesday, January 2 that will explore artificial reefs and other offshore wave dissipation techniques that could be used to reduce coastal erosion on Maui. The presentation is part of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s monthly meeting series, which is free and open to all.

The presentation will take place from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s classrooms at the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops at 300 Ma’alaea Road, Wailuku. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Refreshments will be served.

The presentation will be offered by Dr. Michael Foley, a Professional Engineer and leader of the Resilient Sustainable Engineering (RiSE) team at Oceanit, a company with headquarters in Honolulu that employs more than 160 scientists and  engineers.

Considered one of the state’s leading experts on shoreline erosion, Foley has designed artificial reef systems to provide coastal protection and promote coral reef habitats. He has also been a key contributor to understanding issues and identifying solutions for beach erosion and sand depletion.

Dr. Foley grew up on Maui. He is an avid surfer, serves on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Shore and Beach Preservation Association, and volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation.  He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, specializing in the application of submerged breakwaters (artificial reefs) that provide coastal and harbor protection while simultaneously providing ecological and recreational value as coral reef habitat and surf breaks.

“Many of us on Maui are wondering what can be done about shoreline erosion and the loss of beaches and coastal areas,” says Amy Hodges, Programs Manager at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. “Dr. Foley’s talk will explore some innovative options that could be considered to help reduce shoreline loss.”

According to the company’s website, “Oceanit is committed to pursuing responsible solutions to the world’s most difficult problems, blending interdisciplinary science, technology, engineering, and innovative thinking to benefit our global community. Through spin-outs, co-development partnerships, licensing, and direct manufacturing, Oceanit is able to deliver solutions to market. Oceanit calls this practice ‘Mind-to-Market’; delivering deep science to disruptive, real-world breakthroughs.”

With headquarters in Honolulu, Oceanit employs over 160 scientists and engineers in Hawai’i, California, Texas, and Washington, D.C and has built its culture upon values of Ohana, Curiosity, and Community. To learn more, visit www.oceanit.com.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is a nonprofit organization celebrating 11 years of working for healthy coral reefs, clean ocean water and abundant native fish. To learn more, visit www.mauireefs.org

Dr. Mark Deakos to Present Talk on “Chasing Happiness and Its Impact on the Planet” at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s August 1 Meeting

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MA’ALAEA, HI – Many people know Dr. Mark Deakos as a researcher, scientist and community activist, known for his studies of Maui’s manta rays and his efforts to protect our local coral reefs. Deakos will be presenting a talk with a larger, more global perspective, on the topic of “Chasing Happiness and Its Impact on the Planet” as part of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s upcoming August meeting.

The public is invited to this free presentation and meeting on Wednesday, August 1, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s classrooms at the ocean level of the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops at 300 Ma’alaea Road. (Please note the later start time.) Refreshments will be served. The doors open at 5:00 pm.

“Is it possible to have long, healthy and happy lives for all people across the globe without destroying our planet’s natural resources?,” asks Deakos. “My talk will explore the science of happiness and how pursuing selfish interests can actually be good for the planet.”

At one time a competitive swimmer and water polo player, Deakos 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.

“I was fortunate to experience living in various countries around the globe during my early years,” says Deakos. “A common thread in my life has always been water.”

Dr. Deakos obtained his biology degree from the University of 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 Hawai’i 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 Environmental, Operations, and Constructions Inc., Norfolk, Virginia, tasked with managing the Navy’s Protected Species Monitoring Program in the Pacific. He is also an active member of various community groups working towards solutions to some of our greatest environmental threats, and is a founding member of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.

The host of the event, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, is a nonprofit Maui-based organization which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of working for clean ocean water, healthy coral reefs and abundant native fish for the islands of Maui County.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s work includes an ocean water quality testing program known as Hui O Ka Wai Ola, which currently tests 39 locations from Makena to Kapalua, a program to reduce water pollution in Ma’alaea Harbor and a study to determine which genetic strains of Olowalu’s corals are most resistant to stressors such as temperature and pollution. To learn more about Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, please visit www.mauireefs.org.