FULL MOON - 6:52 pm today
 HAWAIIAN WORD OF THE DAY -  KOHOLA: Reef
HAWAIIAN PROVERB OF THE DAY - “Be a coral reef that grows into an island.”

October, 2007: In a video comparison of algae blooms off the coast of Honokowai, on West Maui,  the growth of Cladophora algae can be seen in 1991 and this month. View the videos …

Cladophora algae is often related to algae blooms within freshwater systems, though obviously are found in areas of the ocean where fresh water runoff accumulates. This growth causes advanced eutrophication in shoreline waters. Eutrophication is an increase in water-born chemicals. In this case, the chemicals come from dumping from nearby resorts and condominium complexes, as well as passing cruise ships. The algae adheres to submerged things like timber, rocks and reefs, increasing nitrogen and strangling the life out of living reefs. Read the Status of Maui’s Coral Reefs …

The state government has long known about this danger, and the severe decline in reef health around all Hawaiian islands, and in a typically ineffective action has produced a report on the destruction, but has done nothing to alleviate the current stress, nor curtailed development until a solution is found. Visit the Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative …