Join the Ko‘a corps
Join the Ko‘a Corps
Our Ko‘a (Hawaiian for “coral”) Corps consists of researchers, educators, government officials, and everyday citizen scientists working together to make an unprecedented impact on coral reef health and conservation throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Start by utilizing the resources we’ve provided here to learn more about these valuable and threatened ecosystems. Next, take part in educating your communities about the coral reefs in your own backyard.
Lastly, we rely on our Ko‘a Corps to be our eyes in the ocean, so report coral bleaching using our interactive tracking tool during ocean warming events.
Together, we can ensure a bright future for our coral reefs even in the face of climate change.
Join the Ko‘a Corps at the bottom of the page to receive our welcome packet.
Learn about coral reefs
Coral class is in session! We’ve curated the best reef resources available to help you learn all about coral-reef ecosystems.
Help Protect Hawai‘i’s reefs
Coral-reef bleaching may seem like a daunting problem, but your actions can make a huge difference in their survival. There are many things you can do to help reduce secondary stress on coral reefs during a bleaching event in your area. Here are six actions to take:
Let fish protect reefs
Herbivorous fish eat the algae that can cover and suffocate corals. Try to limit your harvest of parrotfish, surgeonfish, sea urchins, and other herbivores.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Look for sunscreens that don’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, which can harm corals. Choose a mineral-based sunscreen instead.
Anchor Away from the reef
An anchor can pack a wallop on the reef and scare fish away! Drop your anchor in sandy patches, or, even better, keep an eye out for diving moorings to tie onto.
Corals like their space
Corals can break easily. Next time you’re on a reef, give both fish and corals some more room.
Stand on the Sand
When swimming, make sure you touch down on sand and not on the reef.
Be careful with pollutants
Any chemicals that reach the ground or the drain will eventually make it to the ocean. Take extra measures to catch chemicals like fertilizers, oil, and detergents and dispose of them properly.
Spread the word
Friends don’t let friends damage corals! Download and share our infographic with your fellow ocean-loving companions and help to save Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs.
If you see something, say something
We need more citizen scientists like you! Your bleaching reports make a significant impact on our ability to respond to bleaching events as they happen. When you file a report, it’s immediately communicated to our team and the broader conservation community.
Join the ko‘a corps