Coral Reefs

In early 2020, the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) joined a planning team of resource managers and scientists to follow the process in the Reef Resilience Network’s Managers Guide to Coral Restoration Planning and Design. The planning team began by identifying priority goals to guide reef restoration in Hawaiʻi:

Goal 1: Build capacity to develop, test, and apply restoration methods that enhance the resistance and recovery of coral reefs impacted by bleaching.
Goal 2: Develop, test, and implement reef restoration methods to enhance coastal protection.
Goal 3: Develop, test, and implement restoration methods to enhance fish habitat.

Similarly, DAR published its Hawai’i Coral Reef Strategy 2030 (HCRS 2030), and the three priority goals became underlying Action Plans of the HCRS 2030’s Makai Restoration Pillar. These three priority goals are developed within the Makai Restoration Action Plans. To learn more about the MRAP, view the links below, and subscribe to our DAR Coral Listserv for updates.

• MRAP Goal 1: Bleaching Resilience, Updated April 2023 [PDF][Goal 1 StoryMap]
• MRAP Goal 2: Coastal Protection, Public Comment Period Open 2/19/25-3/31/25 [see Reports]
• MRAP Goal 3: Fish Habitat, Drafting 2025 [StoryMap for Fisher Engagement Live]
  • If you have issues opening map features within the survey on mobile [Troubleshooting Instructions]

Goal 3 StoryMap Embedded Below: