Kuleana Coral Restoration

Kuleana Coral Restoration Restoring coral reefs and cultivating thriving marine ecosystems in Hawai’i!

Donate to help us achieve some very ambitious goals this year at https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/kuleana-coral-restoration

08/18/2026

Week 8 of COAST is pau!

Meet Araceli, a COASTie from San Jose Bay Area.

The students returned to the restoration site in Nānākuli to complete their final restoration dive. After spending weeks learning the process of coral restoration, they finally got to put that knowledge into action by planting their prepared corals onto the reef and seeing their work become part of the restoration site.

The learning continued above the water with guest speakers Keoki and Yuko Stender, and Randy Kosaki who shared their experiences and different pathways through marine conservation. From adapting to careers in the underwater photography field to working in Papahānaumokuākea, their stories gave the cohort a look at the many possibilities within ocean conservation.

Mahalo to our guest speakers for taking the time to share your knowledge, experiences, and career journeys with our students!

With their final restoration dive complete, the cohort wrapped up their final week of COAST and celebrated their graduation. After eight weeks of certifications, hands-on learning, restoration work, and new connections, they are ready to take the next step in their journeys.

We couldn’t be more proud of the COAST Class of 2026 and everything they accomplished this summer. Congratulations to our graduates!

The COAST program is funded by the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center.

⚠️NOTE: Please do NOT touch any live coral without obtaining a permit! Special permits are required for handling coral in Hawai’i [SAP 2027-26]

08/02/2026

Week 7 is finished and that means one week left of the COAST program!

Meet xander___m , a COASTie that calls Kāneʻohe home.

Last week, the COAST cohort earned their NAUI Worldwide Rescue Diver certifications, the final dive certification of the program. Through realistic emergency scenarios and challenging rescue exercises, the students put weeks of training into practice while building the confidence and skills needed to respond effectively in the water. A huge mahalo to our COAST alumni who volunteered as rescue subjects and kept everyone on their toes throughout the training! Mahalo Nā K**a Kai for allowing us to use your facilities at Pōkaʻi Bay to assist with this training.

The learning continued beyond the dive site. The cohort had the privilege of visiting Pāhonu with Kimeona Kane to learn about the cultural and ecological significance of Waimānalo, while also experiencing the practice of rock weaving. Mahalo Kimeona Kane for sharing your ʻike and welcoming our students.

The class also toured the Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) coral nursery to learn about their coral restoration techniques. Mahalo to the DAR team for opening your doors and giving our cohort an inside look at your facility.

With all of their certifications complete and new perspectives gained, the cohort is ready for the final week of the program.

Next week, everything comes together as the students return to Nānākuli to outplant corals onto the reef and complete their first coral restoration project. Stay tuned!

The COAST program is funded by the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center.

07/22/2026

Week 6 of COAST is a wrap! 🪸

Meet Renée from Makakilo, a COASTie from this year’s cohort!

The COAST cohort reached a milestone they’ve been working toward since day one.

After weeks of building knowledge and developing their dive skills, the students completed their first coral restoration dives in Nānākuli. They collected corals of opportunity, identified a cache site, prepared each colony for restoration, and carefully cached the corals on the reef where they’ll remain until the cohort returns during their final week to outplant them at the restoration site.

Beyond the water, the cohort also attended the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, connecting with conservation professionals, learning from organizations across the state, and exploring future pathways into ocean careers.

Each week builds on the last, and this one marked the moment classroom lessons became hands-on restoration in the field.

Next week, the cohort takes on another major milestone as they work toward earning their Rescue Diver certifications. Stay tuned!

The COAST program is funded by the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center.

⚠️NOTE: Please do NOT touch any live coral without obtaining a permit! Special permits are required for handling coral in Hawai’i [SAP 2027-26]

07/16/2026

“Only Stand on the Sand” is an educational video created by the incredible 3rd grade students at Waialua Elementary School to remind us that coral is not a rock, it is a living animal.

Their message shines a light on an important issue. Too often, both visitors and residents forget that our coral reefs are alive. This video is a powerful reminder that it is our shared Kuleana to care for and protect Hawaiʻi’s precious reef ecosystems.

A few months ago, these inspiring students and their teachers mailed us heartfelt, handwritten letters expressing their love and gratitude for our reefs while sharing their concerns about the impacts facing them. They wrote about their desire to create positive change in their communities and asked if we could help share their message.

Those letters touched our hearts and inspired us to visit their school and personally deliver our response.

These students are already making a meaningful impact. Seeing the next generation take the initiative to educate others and advocate for our environment gives us so much hope for the future of Hawaiʻi. Their passion, compassion, and leadership are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things they accomplish as they grow.

Mahalo to these incredible students and teachers for reminding us all that protecting our reefs begins with awareness, and that every voice, no matter how young, can make a difference. 🌊💙

07/15/2026

Week 5 of COAST was all about building the confidence and skills needed to respond when it matters most.

Meet ILI. from Waiʻanae, a proud member of this year’s COAST cohort!

The cohort earned their Divers Alert Network Diving First Aid (DFA) certifications, practicing CPR, emergency response, and realistic rescue scenarios that prepare them for working safely in and around the ocean. These skills are an important foundation as students begin their Rescue Diver training in week 7.

Beyond first aid, the cohort joined our partner Nā K**a Kai to help teach keiki how to prepare coral for outplanting. They also connected with Doug Harper and COAST alumni Kawai Hong from Mālama Maunalua to learn about community-based restoration projects in East Oʻahu. COAST also explored future ocean careers by reflecting on their strengths, passions, and the needs of our oceans.

Every week brings them one step closer to becoming the next generation of restoration divers.

Stay tuned as the COAST cohort heads to Nānākuli next week to put their training into action during their restoration dives! 🌊🤿

Mahalo to our guest speakers this week for taking the time to come and share your expertise and knowledge with our class.

The COAST program is funded by the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center.

⚠️NOTE: Please do NOT touch any live coral without obtaining a permit! Special permits are required for handling coral in Hawai’i [SAP 2027-26]

07/14/2026

Future reef stewards in action! 🪸

Last week, our team joined Nā K**a Kai for a hands-on day of coral restoration and reef monitoring off the coast of Pōkaʻi. They visited a restoration site where corals planted several years ago are regularly monitored to better understand their growth, survival, and ability to adapt as ocean conditions change.

The keiki also stepped into the role of coral restoration practitioners, learning how corals of opportunity are carefully prepared and outplanted to the reef to give them the best opportunity to thrive. Seeing the restoration process up close helped them understand how every coral can contribute to rebuilding healthier reefs.

Through the book How Cara Lost Her Color students also learned about coral biology and the impacts of coral bleaching. By combining storytelling with their hands-on coral restoration experience, they gained a deeper understanding of why healthy reefs are so important and how restoration efforts help these ecosystems recover and become more resilient for the future.

Every coral restored is another step toward a healthier reef, and every lesson shared helps grow the next generation of ocean caretakers. Mahalo to Nā K**a Kai for creating meaningful opportunities for our keiki to learn, serve, and strengthen their connection to the ocean. Mahalo to EMBER MEDIA | Social Impact Agency Davin Carvalho for helping to capture this meaningful event!

⚠️NOTE: Please do NOT touch any live coral without obtaining a permit! Special permits are required for handling coral in Hawai’i [SAP 2027-26]

07/09/2026

Week 4 of COAST is pau! 🪸

Meet Kristian Kim a COAST student from Honolulu!

This week, the cohort took their training to the next level by diving the Haleʻiwa Trench, experiencing what it’s like to explore the seafloor at 70 feet. With these dives, they officially earned their NAUI Worldwide Advanced Open Water certifications. 🤿

To wrap up the week, students learned more about coral monitoring techniques and explored the photomosaic they created underwater in week 3. The cohort also had the opportunity to learn from two guest speakers and experts in their fields, Morgan Short from NOAA and Nakoa Goo. Through their stories, career journeys, and insights, they inspired students to explore the many opportunities that await after completing the COAST program.

Every certification and every dive brings this cohort one step closer to becoming the next generation of coral restoration divers.

Stay tuned and follow their journey!

Mahalo to Ko Olina Resort for allowing COAST to access and train at Makaiwa Cove. Also mahalo to our two guest speakers for taking the time to come talk with the cohort.

The COAST program is funded by the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center.

07/01/2026

Week 3 of COAST is finished! 🪸

Meet Aleka, a COASTie from Mililani.

This week, students got hands-on with photogrammetry both on land and underwater. They also gained experience conducting coral health assessments, identifying coral species, and building pyramid modules for future restoration sites. They are working their way through the NAUI Worldwide Advanced Open Water certification!

A huge mahalo to our guest speaker and Science & Monitoring Manager Ari Halperin for sharing his expertise, career journeys, and insights into working in ocean conservation. These stories gave students a closer look at the many paths they can take as they build their own careers in the restoration field.

Next week, the cohort will complete their NAUI Worldwide Advanced Open Water certifications and take on their first deep dive. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!

Mahalo for following along on their journey and we’ll see you next week!

Mahalo Ko Olina Resort for allowing COAST to access and train at Makaiwa Cove.

⚠️NOTE: Please do NOT touch any live coral without obtaining a permit! Special permits are required for handling coral in Hawai’i [SAP 2027-26]

06/27/2026

More than 10,000 corals restored 🪸

Six years of hands-on work, scientific monitoring, coral outplanting, and direct repair across multiple sites, has brought us to this milestone.

“Ten thousand corals is a milestone, not a finish line,” says Co-Founder and Executive Director Alika Garcia. “The last six years were about learning what works here; now we’re applying those lessons through stronger partnerships and local leadership.”

What’s next: two coral nursery tables going in this summer, working nurseries that double as living classrooms for youth and the next generation of reef stewards. 🐠

“Thousands of people have contributed their time, knowledge, and care,” says COO Blake Nowack, “creating a shared commitment to protecting our reefs that will last well into the future.”

Mahalo Hawaii News Now for sharing our story!

Check out the full story linked in our bio.

06/24/2026

COAST Week 2 is pau!

Meet Brittany Hokulani Penaroza a student in this year’s COAST cohort from ʻEwa.

Last week marked a huge milestone as our students earned and celebrated their first SCUBA certification: NAUI Worldwide Open Water Diver! 🎉

The learning didn’t stop there. Students also dove into coral ecology and biology, the threats facing Hawaiʻi’s reefs, and the techniques we use to help restore these important ecosystems. They then put their new knowledge into action by practicing how to drill into substrate and safely use the tools needed for coral restoration.

Next up, students will learn species ID, how our team selects restoration sites, and begin their Advanced Open Water training.

Their journey is just getting started, and we can’t wait to see what Week 3 brings!

Mahalo to Bright Buoy Diving for providing COAST with beautiful weight belts this year made from recycled fishing lead.

The COAST program is funded by the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center.

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