Did you know that many of Hawaii’s iconic surf breaks are created by coral reefs? Coral reefs create the classic barrel that Native Hawaiians have enjoyed surfing for centuries.

📸 Kimberly Jeffries / Ocean Image Bank ...

Did you know that the health of Hawaii’s forests is important to the health of Hawaii's coral reefs? According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Without a healthy forest to anchor soil and temper the erosive effects of heavy rainfall, sediment can wash off the mountains and enter ocean ecosystems. Sediment increases stress on the corals, making them more prone to mortality.

Although they may seem far apart, Hawaii’s different ecosystems exist in a tightly connected system that relies on the health of all parts. When we work to protect one, we work to protect all.

Learn more about the scientists and their research on Hawaii's interconnected ecosystems from @asnerlab

📸 Hawaii association of watershed partnerships ...

Coral reefs are often described as the medicine cabinets of the 21st century. The flora and fauna of coral reefs are important sources of new medicines being developed to treat cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, viruses, and other diseases.

Learn how you can conserve Hawaii’s coral reefs at hawaiicoral.org

📸 Shaune Wolf / Ocean Image Bank ...

Did you know that juvenile coral are the foundation of coral reefs? Juvenile coral’s ability to settle and establish new coral reef is essential to the health of our marine ecosystem. @Asnerlab graduate student , Rachel Carlson, is currently analyzing 320 limestone tiles that she placed throughout South Kona’s reefs. Comparing the coral growth from different locations will give us a better understanding of what promotes young coral’s settling ability.

📸Rachel Carlson ...

Using reef-safe sunscreen every time you get into the ocean is a great way to protect our coral reefs! Make sure to check your sunscreen’s label when buying a new bottle, or using an old one. ...