Anchor damage is a key threat to coral reefs according to the International Coral Reef Initiative, the US Coral Reef Task Force, and the State of Hawaii. The day-use mooring pin technology was developed in 1981 by John Halas and others at the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary and has been used with success at coral reef sites around the world.

Hawaii's first day-use mooring buoys were installed on the Kona coast in May 1990 as an innovative partnership among community members, ocean recreation businesses, non-governmental organizations, and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Extension Service. Over the years, other coastal communities and ocean recreation businesses throughout the state have been inspired to follow this example. The State government eventually began to provide some financial assistance so that now there is a statewide system of over 160 day-use mooring buoys with locations around all the main Hawaiian Islands.

In 1998, the state legislature passed Act 306, which requires that a system of day-use mooring buoys be established along the 150 mile-long West Hawaii coast as part of the West Hawaii Regional Fishery Management Area. Other state statutes and rules prohibit anchoring within 100 yards of each mooring. The 1998 state legislature also appropriated limited funds to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DLNR-DOBOR) to pay for mooring buoy hardware, including buoys, line, cable, shackles, and anchor bolts.

Despite support of the State government, the maintenance and expansion of the statewide mooring buoy system still depends on private donations and volunteer efforts.

For more information about coral reef protection efforts, check out:
U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
NOAA's Coral Reef Information System
NOAA'S Coral Reef Online
1999 U.S. All Island Coral Reef Initiative Strategy
Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program
International Coral Reef Initiative
The Coral Reef Alliance

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