DLNR: Boat anchor suspected as cause of recent coral damage in Kewalo Basin

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has opened an investigation after coral was found damaged in Kewalo Basin.

The DLNR said the damage appeared to have been caused by a boat anchor being dragged across the reef. The Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is investigating which vessel may have caused the damage.

Biologists determined the damage was recent based on the fresh white color of the coral skeleton.

Last Friday, a dive team from the Division of Aquatic Resources began its investigation by taking measurements of the damaged reef and counting the number of damaged corals.

Kim Fuller, a DAR aquatic biologist who led the dive team, said they were about 80 feet in length.

“There were some damaged corals, ranging from ones that were broken off the hard bottom, as well as some corals that were fragmented, or broken into pieces,” Fuller said. “There also was scraping on some coral colonies that were still attached.”

The team was able to put about some of the overturned coral into upright positions so that the living tissue would be facing up, ultimately ensuring their resiliency and longevity.

They put about 74 of 200 corals that were impacted into upright positions.

Though the damage at Kewalo is on a relatively smaller scale compared to some larger-scale impacts over the decades, it could still take years for the coral in this area to fully recover.

“I do want to emphasize that corals are protected under state law. It’s illegal to injure or damage or to take coral resources. If someone wants to work with coral, a special activity permit from DAR is required,” Fuller said.

Fuller urges boaters to anchor in the sand with a proper anchor, as well as choose a large enough patch to ensure the anchor doesn’t drag around coral or live rock nearby, and to monitor anchors after they’ve been set and changes in current and wind direction.

DAR Administrator Brian Neilson also reminded boaters to be mindful of their surroundings.

“This area is an important habitat for marine life and serves as a popular recreational dive site,” Neilson said. “With all of the stressors facing corals, boaters must be vigilant about avoiding coral damage.”