Kahaluu Bay Education Center

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Kahaluu Bay Education Center

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KBEC promotes environmental stewardship to ensure that Kahalu‘u Bay remains a healthy and welcomin
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KBEC promotes environmental stewardship to ensure that Kahalu‘u Bay remains a healthy and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.

10/31/2026

Look at me now!

This ʻāloʻiloʻi started off the size of a grain of rice. While swimming through the water to check on another ʻāloʻiloʻi, one of our hui members noticed a speck moving in a strange pattern. Upon further inspection, she realized it was another, smaller, ʻāloʻiloʻi! What a blessing! Months went by, and we watched this small fry grow, slowly losing its juvenile colors, and growing to its mature size!

These fish, also known as domino damselfish or Hawaiian dascyllus, are endemic to Hawaiʻi (found nowhere else in the whole world)!

The ʻāloʻiloʻi, along with many other reef fish rely on the coral reef for shelter. You can help care for their home by:

Not standing on coral, only float while snorkeling
Wearing mineral sunscreen or covering up
Spreading awareness

Mahalo nui for choosing to mālama Kahaluʻu

10/23/2026

This year, with El Nino conditions present, we are at risk for another severe coral bleaching event. We have seen unusually warm temperatures persist throughout Kauwela leaving the corals under stress for several months. We initially observed early stress indicators and are now starting to see more and more corals begin to bleach.

Here’s how you can help:
🤿 Report bleaching to Eyes of the Reef at https://eorhawaii.org/make-a-report/
and ‘Ākoʻakoʻa Reef Restoration by visiting, maps.akoakoa.org and click “Report Bleaching”
☀️ Cover up and use only mineral sunscreen.
🪸 Avoid touching or standing on the reef.
🐠 Give marine life plenty of space. Grazers play an especially important role in keeping reefs healthy during this time.

With the support of the county of Hawaiʻi, we are closely monitoring ocean temperatures, and taking extra care to watch conditions of the corals. If conditions do not improve for the corals, we will advocate for corals to recover without additional harmful stressors and giving them a better chance to regain their health and resilience.

10/20/2026

Kilo Kahaluʻu Māhoe Mua // Part 3

In Māhoe mua, day time high tides were frequent, giving honu plenty of space to graze on the papa. Three of the migratory manu returned to Kahaluʻu, regularly seen foraging on the papa when the tide was low. Two hurricanes passed through this malama, bringing stormy weather and ocean conditions to Kahaluʻu. High surf and tides pushed debris, sand, and rocks through the parking lot and pavilion.

Mahalo for tuning in!

10/17/2026

Kilo Kahaluʻu Māhoe Mua // Part 2

In Māhoe Mua, our hui observed persistent paling and fluorescing in corals throughout the bay. Rice corals continued bleaching from the last malama. Bleaching was also observed on some Porites and Pocillopora corals. While we are not seeing widespread or severe bleaching, our team is closely monitoring the situation. Hurricane Lowell brought stormy ocean conditions, leading to coral breakage, and scouring of the reef floor.

The beach park was noticeably less crowded this malama, with visitor numbers decreasing. Kahaluʻu seemed to take a large exhale after a very busy summer. Due to hurricane conditions, there were many park closures, where people were anxious and rushed to swim on the days where the park was open.

Stay tuned for what our kilo revealed at Kahaluʻu in part 3

10/15/2026

Kilo Kahaluʻu Māhoe Mua // Part 1

This malama, two new juvenile ʻāloʻiloʻi were sheltering in the same coral as the other two mature ʻāloʻiloʻi! Schools of hundreds of piha continued to swim through the bay, shimmering in the water. The channel was abundant with juvenile iʻa continuing to grow from the previous malama. Waters were filled with a variety of fish in larger schools.

Stay tuned for what our kilo revealed at Kahaluʻu in part 2 and 3

10/03/2026

This year, we witnessed widespread spawning of Porites evermanni colonies across Kahaluʻu. The bay was filled with new life, creating near white-out conditions, and visibility was reduced to a few feet. Fish were active, schooling, and darting through the water.

During peak summer months, we also see the highest visitor numbers of the whole year creating stressful conditions on the reef. In this sacred, and sensitive time, we mahalo everyone who cares for Kahaluʻu, floating while swimming, avoiding contact with the reef, and avoiding chemical sunscreen.

Mahalo nui!

09/08/2026

Kilo Kahaluʻu, Hinaiaʻeleʻele // Part 3

In Hinaiaʻeleʻele, we observed the return of some of our migratory manu! ʻAkekeke arrived and four of them were observed foraging together on the papa. Bright green limu covered the papa, drawing in honu during high tides.

Many days were hot and humid, with clouds rolling in towards the afternoon. The ocean was choppy, creating a strong current. As the malama came to a close, the weather became stormy, indicating the arrival of Hurricane Lala.

Mahalo for tuning in!

09/05/2026

Kilo Kahaluʻu, Hinaia‘ele‘ele // Part 2

This malama, our hui continued to observe signs of stress in corals from previous malama- rice corals bleaching, widespread paling, and an increase in mucus secretion on Porites colonies. Limu hulu ʻilio and cyanobacteria began growing on the reef floor. Though the corals showed signs of stress, our hui observed widespread Porites evermannni spawning again this malama!

The beach park was crowded nearly everyday. Despite our education efforts, many visitors were standing or walking on the reef, and harassing marine life.
In these busy times, we mahalo everyone who chooses to mālama Kahaluʻu.

Stay tuned for what our kilo revealed at Kahaluʻu in part 3

09/03/2026

Kilo Kahaluʻu Hinaiaʻeleʻele // Part 1

Thirteen malama sharing our kilo Kahaluʻu, 72 malama of kilo as daily practice-intentionally listening to and learning from Kahaluʻu. Kilo guides how we care for Kahaluʻu and weaves into the strands of ʻike from generations before and those that will follow.

In Hinaiaʻeleʻele, we continued to observe many juveniles from previous malama. Kala, ʻoama, pākuʻikuʻi, weke, and uouoa continue to grow. ʻĀloʻiloʻi, first observed last year, nearly have their mature coloration!
Large schools of uouoa, kihikihi, fourspot butterflyfish, and piha were seen swimming through the bay.

Stay tuned for what our kilo revealed at Kahaluʻu in part 2 and 3

08/11/2026

Kilo Kahaluʻu: Kaʻaona // Part 3

In Ka‘aona, we continued to see large fluctuations in tides, leading to the papa being fully exposed or covered for hours at a time. With the high tides came honu, grazing on the papa for limu. Migratory manu have departed. We observed the ‘auku‘u but they landed much less frequently than past years.

There were many hot, humid days in Kaʻaona. Heavy, intense rains came over the bay on multiple occasions, flooding the parking lot and creating intense, muggy conditions for days following. Choppy conditions were common on Kaʻaona, created by a large swell at the start of the malama, which was followed by smaller but consistent south swells.

Though the ʻōhai was seen with yellowing leaves, she continued to produce seed pods.

Address

78-6710 Alii Drive
Kailua-Kona, HI
96740

Telephone

(808) 887-6411

Website

http://kohalacenter.org/kahaluu-bay

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