Past Projects

Monitoring for Aquatic Invasive Species

Malama Kai Foundation received funding from the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) to engage regular beach and ocean users in long-term monitoring for aquatic invasive species (AIS) as part of a statewide citizen monitoring network to assist members of the Aquatic Species Committee in the early detection of AIS.

At the same time that this project was starting, a similar project to create a community-based reporting network for coral bleaching, disease and crown-of-thorn sea stars was being initiated by the Climate Change Local Action Strategy committee. Collaboration between these committees led to the creation of Eyes of the Reef, a community-based reporting network for the early detection of marine invasive species, coral bleaching, coral disease, and crown-of-thorns sea stars.

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Eyes of the Reef

Eyes of the Reef (EOR) is a statewide, volunteer organization that provides community training for the identification and early detection of the five major threats to our local coral reefs. With support from Malama Kai Foundation, EOR developed training and outreach materials, brochure, field guide, and underwater identification cards. EOR verifies and assesses reports from the community then forwards verified reports to the appropriate state agencies for follow up. All reports are kept in a statewide database in partnership with Reef Check Hawaiʻi and DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources. 

There are several downloadable pdf documents related to Eyes of the Reef in the Resources section.

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Citizen Water Quality Monitoring

Good water quality is vital to Hawaiʻi’s natural, cultural and economic resources. The quality of water can affect its suitability for drinking, recreation, wildlife, agriculture, and other everyday uses. Everyone has an important role in protecting water quality against pollutants such as sediments, bacteria, excess nutrients, metals, and other toxins.

Malama Kai Foundation has partnered with agencies, organizations, and volunteers to develop a water quality outreach program directed at both residents and visitors. These efforts included printed materials on water quality and its impacts on aquatic life; materials for use in hotels and cruise ships; and the development of an annual water quality monitoring event ("Snapshot Day") to engage citizen awareness.

In partnership with Project SEA-Link on Maui and with technical expertise from the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Malama Kai Foundation also develop a Hawaiʻi Volunteer Water Quality Manual in 2009 with funding from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. The water quality manual protocols were tested with the assistance of two high school classes on Maui. Based on comments from the students, Malama Kai Foundation added more detail to the protocols provided by the manufacturers of the equipment we were testing. The grant also provided communities with simple water quality monitoring kits and monitoring probes.

Malama Kai Foundation would like to expand on these efforts and help facilitate the creation and training of more citizen monitoring groups throughout the State. Stay tuned for more information on how to become involved. 

There are several downloadable brochures and pamphlets relating to water quality in the Resources section.

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