Launch Celebration for the Introduction of Kanu Ko'a in Kealakekua Bay

In the heart of Hawai'i, on February 25, 2024, a significant event took place at Kealakekua Bay, a Marine Life Conservation District. The occasion was the opening of Kanu Ko'a, a community-led coral reef restoration project that seamlessly blends Hawaiian cultural practices with modern coral restoration techniques.

The ceremony was deeply rooted in Hawaiian cultural protocol, with an emphasis on 'ohana (family) relationships with ko'a (corals). Shane Akoni Palacat-Nelsen, President of Hoʻāla Kealakekua Nui, highlighted the importance of the 'ukuko'ako'a, or coral polyp, as a foundational entity for all life forms, as mentioned in the Kumulipo cosmogonic genealogy chant.

During the event, ko'a pieces that had broken off during recent high swells were collected from the Bay and brought to shore on the double-hulled canoe Kinikini. These pieces were then cut into one-inch fragments and planted in clusters within the ahupuaʻa of Kealakekua and Kaʻawaloa. Divers transported the ko'a pieces back into the Bay and affixed them to the reef with epoxy.

Hoʻāla Kealakekua Nui, Our website, Hawai'i and Palmyra (TNC), and the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) played a pivotal role in organizing the event. The project aims to accelerate coral reef growth and recovery, making it the second community-led coral reef restoration project on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

Community members watched from the surface as the ko'a planting took place, a testament to the collective effort and shared commitment towards preserving and nurturing the marine life of Kealakekua Bay. The opening ceremony was also attended by representatives from the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), as well as Hawai'i and Palmyra (TNC).

Shane Akoni Palacat-Nelsen, apart from his role in Hoʻāla Kealakekua Nui, is also the head of Mighty Writers, an organization focused on improving children's writing and literacy. His leadership in both environmental conservation and education underscores the holistic approach that Kanu Ko'a embodies.

As the sun set over Kealakekua Bay, the community gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in the Bay's coral reef restoration journey. With the launch of Kanu Ko'a, the community, Hawaiian culture, and the science of coral restoration come together in a harmonious effort to revitalize and protect the marine life of Kealakekua Bay.