The coral polyps that make up a coral reef are very delicate animals. Anchor damage is one of the most important physical threats to corals. Half a centimeter of coral broken off in a matter of seconds can take up to 25 years to grow back.

Day-use mooring buoys have proven to be an effective tool around the world in reducing the damage to coral reefs caused by anchors. They eliminate the need to drop anchor on coral reefs by providing boaters with a convenient means of securing their boats. One of the primary projects of the Malama Kai Foundation has been to raise private funds to pay for the installation, mapping, monitoring, and maintenance of day-use mooring buoys in the nearshore waters of Hawaii.

These day-use mooring buoys are located in popular dive and snorkel spots in the coral reefs around the main Hawaiian Islands. Costs for the buoy hardware and equipment have been paid primarily by private contributions, with some state funds, while buoy installation and maintenance have been supported by in-kind contributions from ocean recreation businesses (charter boat time, divers, air, fuel, food), and assisted by technical services provided by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Extension Service and Hawaii Institute of Geophysics.

Early in the project, University of Hawaii ocean engineers worked to design a mooring buoy system specially adapted for use on Hawaii’s coral reefs, from a design developed in Florida. These buoys are secured to the seafloor by a sturdy system of one or two anchor bolts, set in concrete in holes drilled into the rock substrate of the coral reef environment, attached to stainless steel cable risers, polypropylene line and a submerged buoy. These buoys were designed to securely hold the numerous commercial dive charter boats serving the Hawaiian ocean recreation tourism industry.

The Malama Kai Foundation has worked closely over the years with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (responsible for coral reef management) and Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (responsible for boating and small boat harbors). Before any moorings are installed in Hawaii waters, the State must secure a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for each site. The State is currently in the process of renewing its Army Corps permit for the mooring buoy system.

The maintenance and expansion of Hawaii’s mooring buoy system depends on private donations and volunteer assistance. The Adopt-a-Buoy Program is one way you can help!

The mooring buoy system would not exist without the help of dedicated individuals and businesses. Numerous dive shops around the state collaborate with Malama Kai to install, monitor and maintain the buoys. Please show your support for the mooring buoy program by patronizing these dedicated businesses.

click for a larger view.

Community involvement and cooperation is the key to successful management of coral reef resources.


Malama Kai co-sponsors REEFTALK, a monthly public presentation series on the marine and coastal environment in Kona and Kohala...