The Ocean is Our Way of Life

Join in the conversation about Hawaiian Coral Reefsʻ rights to exist, flourish, regenerate and evolve. 

The islands of Hawaii are surrounded by coral reefs. These reefs protect Hawaii’s shorelines from waves, provide critical ecosystems for ocean species, and provide recreation for snorkeling and scuba. According to the Kumulipo, Hawaii’s creation story, a coral polyp was the first organism created. Corals are at the very center of life in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s coral reefs are under assault from global forces like ocean warming and acidification. The reefs are also threatened by local insults, such as sediments, nutrients from sewage and fertilizers, over-fishing, and petrochemical sunscreens.

Hanau ka ‘Uku-ko‘ako‘a, hanau kana, he ‘Ako‘ako‘a, puka Born was the coral polyp, born was the coral, came forth. 

Coral Reefs in Hawaii possess the fundamental and inalienable right - 

To naturally exist, flourish, regenerate, and evolve; 

To a climate system unaltered by human-caused pollution or emissions; and

To a natural environment unaltered by human-caused pollution or emissions, or by human activity.