Stretching over 130 miles along the leeward coast of Hawaiʻi Island, the West Hawaiʻi reef system is the longest contiguous coral reef in the Hawaiian Archipelago – longer than the entire circumference of Maui. This massive reef spans more than 70 ahupuaʻa, weaving together the cultural, social, and economic fabric of Native Hawaiian communities that have stewarded these waters for generations.
Over the past two centuries, however, this vibrant ecosystem has suffered dramatic decline. Chronic stressors – coastal pollution from cesspools, septic systems, roadway runoff, agrochemicals, and increasing tourism – have steadily degraded reef health. At the same time, decades of overfishing and unsustainable marine practices have compounded the damage.
Then 2015 arrived. That year, a major ocean heatwave – linked to global climate change – hit West Hawaiʻi hard, causing widespread coral bleaching and mortality. A second heatwave followed in 2019. These back-to-back climate shocks ushered in a new era of reef decline, resulting in a 50% loss of coral cover in some areas – decimating the habitat for countless marine species.
In 2023, an internationally recognized report sounded the alarm, chronicling 20 years of reef loss due to pollution, overfishing, and climate impacts. Rather than accept this trajectory, a new movement emerged: ʻĀkoʻakoʻa.
Born from a long-term collaboration between scientists and the Native Hawaiian fishing village of Miloliʻi, ʻĀkoʻakoʻa represents a groundbreaking fusion of Indigenous knowledge, community leadership, and cutting-edge science. The name draws inspiration from the Kumulipo – Hawaiʻi’s creation chant – and means both “the assembly of corals” and “the gathering of people.”
Led by a Cultural Advisory Board made up of community leaders from Māhukona to Miloliʻi, ʻĀkoʻakoʻa brings together coral biologists, reef ecologists, water quality experts, marine operators, and policy advocates. United by a shared mission, this team is working to restore and protect reef ecosystems by improving water quality, rehabilitating coral populations, and engaging the community in hands-on stewardship.
At the heart of the initiative is the ʻĀkoʻakoʻa Coral Nursery, located at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority (NELHA) just south of Kona airport. NELHA is now the largest land-based coral facility in the Pacific. With a fleet of six vessels, the nursery has rescued, grown, and replanted thousands of corals along the West Hawaiʻi coastline in less than two years. A “Future Reef Bank” is also in the works to ensure long-term coral survival overcomes future ocean stressors.
But ʻĀkoʻakoʻa is more than science – it’s a movement of place-based healing. The effort represents a paradigm shift: science in service of culture, not the other way around. All program actions are guided by cultural values and protocols, ensuring that community voices remain at the forefront of decision-making.
Why This Matters
Reefs are not just beautiful underwater landscapes – they are life-giving systems. They provide habitat for marine species that feed our families, support local economies, and protect shorelines from coastal erosion and rising seas. When we lose coral reefs, we lose food security, cultural heritage, and climate resilience.
This work is urgent. Without intervention, West Hawaiʻi’s reef systems could collapse within a generation. But with coordinated, community-based action, there is still hope to turn the tide.
What You Can Do
Everyone has a role to play. The ʻĀkoʻakoʻa program invites residents, visitors, students, and stakeholders to become active stewards of West Hawaiʻi’s reefs. Whether it’s reducing coastal pollution, supporting sustainable fishing practices, or volunteering with reef restoration efforts, your engagement matters. Visit www.akoakoa.org to learn more.
ʻĀkoʻakoʻa was created and is managed by the Hawaiʻi unit of Arizona State University’s Global Futures program alongside the Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources.
