What We Do

Working together to protect our nearshore ocean environment

Many problems facing Maui County's local reefs originate on land, which is why our projects and programs are community-based and work from mountains (mauka) to sea (makai).

Protect Coral Reefs

CRAMP and FAHU Surveys Assessing and tracking coral and fish health allow us to share ecosystem conditions with our community and resource managers. It also lets us understand if on land management actions are making a difference to our coral reefs.

Community-based Coral Restoration Areas (CBCRAs) allow us to use our techincal expertise to protect and recover degraded coral areas in collaboration with the people that depend on them.

Reef Friendly Landscaping program certifies properties that follow organic landscaping principles and provides training for landscapers in organic management practices. Certified properties are awarded a parrotfish sign.

Preventing Sunscreen Pollution Sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate can harm or kill corals. Our team works with snorkel cruise operators to provide safer alternatives. We educate the public and lawmakers about sunscreen pollution.

Maui Coral Reef Recovery Team In 2010, MNMRC brought together 16 of Hawaii’s leading coral reef scientists, community members, and management experts to create a Maui Coral Reef Recovery Plan. The group continues to advise us and monitor our progress.

Successful deployment of an Aqualink smart mooring at Olowalu on Maui.

Promote Clean Ocean Water

Hui O Ka Wai Ola - the Clean Ocean Team - samples marine water quality along Maui's coastline.

Limu, marine algae, store nitrogen that can tell us about the presence of pollution and its source.

MNMRC has been working with community and government to reduce sediment erosion from adjacent mountain slopes. Read more...

A CARES-funded employee of Kipuka Olowalu observes a plant.

Restore Native Fish

MNMRC supports and provides training for CMMA programs on Maui which use traditional management principles, community enforcement, and public engagement to sustainably manage marine areas.

Fish replenishment areas or fish rest areas allow fish broodstock to recover and seed areas beyond their borders increasing the size and numbers of fish available to lawai'a (fishermen).

We are learning how to steward Maui's coral reef resources alongside our community partners.

Maui County’s coral reefs are important to our community

At Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, we recognize that Maui County’s reefs are a vital part of our island community. We depend on coral reefs to provide food, support thousands of jobs, and protect our shorelines from storm surge and erosion.

Our coral reefs need help

Unfortunately, 25% of Maui’s surveyed reef sites are dead. Half of Maui’s surveyed reef sites are declining in health.

Maui also has the 2nd lowest fish abundance in the Hawaiian Islands. Some native fish stocks have declined by 90%.

According to the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Maui has Hawaii’s most polluted coastal waters. From 2012-2014, 90% of the water samples collected in Maui coastal waters failed to meet State standards. Many parts of our coastline experience chronic brown-water events.

Addressing the threats

As a Maui-based nonprofit, we believe in the power of community involvement, partnerships, and public education to solve these and other problems that undermine the quality of our nearshore ocean waters and coral reefs. After all, many of the threats impacting Maui County’s reefs and nearshore ocean water begin on land, right here on our islands.