Reef Guardians Hawai'i

Protecting our coral reefs and oceans through research, restoration, and education.

Our Vision: Clean water, a balanced environment, thriving ecosystems, and an educated community actively participating in mauka to makai stewardship (from the mountains to the sea).      

WE TEACH to expand environmental and cultural awareness and reduce harm to the environment. Since 2015, we have hosted in-person and online environmental education programs for youth, adults, and visitors, focusing on marine biology, ecology, stewardship, and advocacy.

The online programs reach worldwide peoples so the environmental learning is global and amplified. Our Reef Camps provide real life experiences for children, teens and interns, to cultivate Reef Guardians of all ages who are deeply connected to the ocean and commit to protecting coral reefs around the world.

Donate so Reef Guardians Hawaii can continue its environmental education programs.

WE COLLABORATE with local communities, universities, business groups, and government agencies to study and address the rapid changes affecting our coral reefs and near-shore habitats. Click here to learn more.

Our reefs are both precious and vulnerable. Aging infrastructure, runoff, coral disease, summer algae over-growth, and extreme rain events continue to place pressure on the reef and the wildlife that rely on it. Our Phase I water quality findings revealed stream and ocean waters of concern that do not meet acceptable state water quality standards — the sort of scientific clarity needed to guide management and policy.

OUR PRIORITY NOW is to secure full funding for Phase II so we can complete sampling and submit the data in time for the next biennial State of Hawaiʻi Dept. of Health Integrated Report. Inclusion in this report is what gives the data weight — it’s the step that allows state agencies to take regulatory and policy action to address water quality concerns at ʻAnini. We still need $48,870 for two years of dedicated work, and your continued support would help us meet this important deadline.

REEF GUARDIANSʻ STEWARDSHIP includes other programs and initiatives as well, including our Reef Camp school break environmental education program for children and teens, a reef-protective signage project at Anini / Wanini with seed funding from the County of Kauaʻi, and a new initiative to start next year: a Reef-Safe Landscaping Summit, in partnership with Maui Nui Marine Council, targeted for hotels, resorts, county, landscapers and homeowners, to address polluting practices directly and create systemic change. 

Donate so we can continue water testing with the goal to get state and federal local water quality mitigation efforts.

When you donate to Reef Guardians Hawaii, you're giving the gift of healthy reefs, streams, and oceans for our and future generations.