Artificial reef project has support, but some question its proposed location

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Several yards off the beach at Fort DeRussy, there’s a surf spot known as “Threes.” There are plans to put an artificial reef there, and that has raised concerns from some ocean goers.

The REEFrame project wants to put 150 modules — each six-by-six feet — in about 40 to 60 feet of water to establish a new coral nursery over 11 underwater acres near the mouth of the ‘Apuakehau Channel, just outside the breaks known as Threes, Paradise and Populars.

“We’ve never been against (artificial reefs). We’re just saying this whole state of Hawaii, seven islands — is this the best place to put it?” asked longtime waterman Keone Downing of the Surfing Education Association.

Downing said there are concerns that putting all those modules there will impact the popular surf breaks by dissipating the wave energy as it approaches the shallower reefs where the waves break. But that’s not all.

“You’re putting it where one-man canoe paddlers, six-man canoe paddlers, foil board riders, tour operator boats, catamarans, go through there daily,” he said.

The project is being funded by a $9 million grant from NOAA. Its website said it would be surrounded by a sandy area, which it said would be suitable for construction of the reef, set to begin early next year.

“Why are we trying to put this artificial experimental reef that they’re calling restoring coral in a place that didn’t have coral? How are you restoring something it didn’t have?” said Downing.

“We support the concept,” said fisher Mike Sur. “We want artificial reefs because artificial reefs create a habitat for the fish and biomass to congregate next to.”

However, Sur also has his concerns. He wants to make sure fishing rights aren’t affected once the reef modules are installed.

“We’re trying to protection our fishing rights,” said Sur. “I know that fish, for people, fish is food for us, and every local person on this island needs fresh fish. So I don’t see how this would be a problem for anybody.”

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources was set to take action at its meeting Friday on permits and other items needed for the project to move forward, but those were withdrawn from the agenda without explanation on Tuesday.

“Something of this magnitude needs to be vetted well because once they do it, it’s basically permanent,” said Downing.