The Big Island Reef Fund is a voluntary alliance of marine recreation operators and non-profit conservation organizations.

The Big Island Reef Fund was born of necessity. On a coastline where the public is deeply involved in marine resource protection and conservation, there was no dependable source of funding to assure that the critical work of protecting West Hawaii’s resources could be sustained.

Several organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Community Conservation Network, Malama Kai Foundation, West Hawaii Fisheries Council, University of Hawaii Sea Grant, and the Division of Aquatic Resources in Kona joined forces to create a funding mechanism that would raise money for the important work that needed to be done along the West Hawaii coastline.

The group first polled visitors, with the help of a number of local snorkel and dive operators, to determine whether visitors to West Hawaii would be willing to contribute financially to assuring the conservation of our marine resources, as is done in many other destinations in the world. The poll results were overwhelmingly positive, with more than 80% of those polled responding that they would be willing to pay $5/dive or snorkel toward private conservation efforts. This led to the formation of The Big Island Reef Fund, the creation of an Advisory Board of operators, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders, and a fiduciary relationship with the Malama Kai Foundation.

Born of necessity, the Big Island Reef Fund must now grow to meet the potential it has as a major funding source for marine conservation in West Hawaii.

Links to Reef Fund founding organizations

Dive Makai
Hualalai Water Sports
Jacks Diving Locker
Fair Wind Cruises
Mauna Lani Sea Adventures

The Nature Conservancy
Community Conservation Network
Malama Kai Foundation
Pacific Boats & Yachts, LLC

Support the Reef Fund and We All Get Something Back!