The Malama Kai Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit publicly-supported organization, dedicated to ocean stewardship through community service and public education. Founded in January 1991, the Malama Kai Foundation raises funds in the form of small and large donations and grants in order to sponsor projects that will help conserve Hawaii’s coastal and marine resources and educate the public about these resources.

Malama Kai means "stewardship of the sea" in Hawaiian.

The purposes for which the Malama Kai Foundation is organized are threefold:
To sponsor charitable activities consisting of community service and education pertaining to ocean recreation and environmental protection;
To educate the public regarding stewardship and wise management of marine and coastal resources in order to guarantee their sustainability in perpetuity; and
To sponsor other activities which promote marine conservation.

The Malama Kai Foundation (MKF) has been the primary 501(c)(3) organization in Hawaii involved in establishing the statewide day-use mooring buoy system. With more than 10 years experience, the MKF is known statewide for its demonstrated ability to raise funds, garner in-kind services from businesses, and work with government agencies to accomplish project tasks. Board members have strong professional and personal ties with the commercial dive industry, state government, the local community, and private donors. Numerous dive shops around the state collaborate with MKF to monitor and maintain the buoys. MKF has worked closely over the years with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, the responsible state agency for coral reef management.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OUR PARTNERS
DLNR-DAR
DOBOR
UH-SGES
Hawaii Institute of Geophysics
The Ocean Conservancy

The maintenance and expansion of the statewide mooring buoy system still depends on private donations and volunteer efforts.




The day-use mooring pin technology was developed in 1981 by John Halas and others at the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.

Photo Credits
Jack's Diving Locker
Dive Makai
UH Sea Grant
Ellyn Tong