Kahaluʻu Beach Park to Close May 11-19 for Coral Spawning Rest Period
Kahaluʻu Beach Park to Close May 11-19 for Coral Spawning Rest Period
The County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks & Recreation announces that Kahalu‘u Beach Park in Kailua-Kona will be closed from May 11 through May 19 due to cauliflower coral spawning. The park will reopen May 20.
Kahalu‘u Bay is a wahi pana, a sacred and storied place, that is home to an important and unique coral reef ecosystem. It is one of the of the most popular snorkeling locations in all of Hawai‘i, with over 400,000 people visiting this shallow, nearshore reef each year to view its diverse marine life and ancient coral colonies.
“By letting Kahalu‘u rest, we are doing our part to protect our coral reef ecosystems as they face increasing pressure from climate change,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “These annual closures are important for helping the coral rebound, and we want to thank our community partners and the public for ensuring that our reefs benefit future generations.”
This will be the eighth year of successful, much-needed rest periods at Kahaluʻu Bay.
Cauliflower coral, a key species in Hawaiian reefs, was once abundant on shallow coral reefs along West Hawaiʻi, including in Kahaluʻu Bay, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and Eyes of the Reef Network.
However, marine heatwaves in 2015 and 2019 caused catastrophic bleaching and mortality of more than 90 percent of the cauliflower coral population in Kahalu‘u Bay. In response, yearly rest periods were initiated in 2018, which have had a profoundly positive impact on the health of the reef at Kahaluʻu. From only six mature cauliflower coral colonies left in Kahaluʻu in 2017, there are now hundreds – possibly thousands –of colonies growing on the reef in the bay, providing critical habitat and coastal protection.
During the closure, the public is asked to refrain from swimming, snorkeling and surfing in Kahaluʻu Bay.
“We fully support this voluntary measure as natural reproduction events are critically important,” said DAR administrator Brian Neilson. “Kahaluʻu Bay is a vital nursery for corals and an outstanding example of the kind of work underway to perpetuate these foundations of the ocean.”
Through generations of kilo, or intentional observation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research conducted around coral spawning, the spawning of cauliflower coral and other coral species can be accurately predicted. Research has shown that it can take as little as 24 hours for cauliflower corals to successfully reproduce and resettle in new reef areas.
The Kohala Center’s ReefTeach Program has been a key partner with the County of Hawai‘i in the effort to protect and restore Kahaluʻu Bay.
“It has been amazing to see the community come together to care for Kahaluʻu Bay during the rest periods,” said The Kohala Center’s Director of ʻĀina Advocacy Cindi Punihaole. “To see the bay at rest and the new corals growing on the reef is a testament to what is possible when we work together to care for ʻāina.”
The Department of Parks & Recreation and its partners appreciate the public’s understanding and respect for this important coral recovery and replenishment process.
