The main Hawaiian Islands are surrounded by almost 410,000 acres of coral reefs.  These reefs contribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Hawaii's economy via the visitors they attract and associated fisheries.  Coral reefs make the islands more hospitable to people by protecting our shoreline from dangerous waves and storm surges.  In addition, most of our sand comes from the reefs that help create the white sandy beaches Hawai`i is famous for.  They also provide essential habitats for fish and other marine life on which we depend for food.

  • Hawai`i is home to more unique species than any place of similar size on Earth.

  • Hawai`i has the highest concentration of species that are threatened with extinction.  For many of the endangered species, loss of habitat through human activity is the primary cause of population decline.

  • Ocean-related activities are the most popular recreation activity among visitors to Hawai`i.

  • Hawai`i comprises roughly 80 percent of the total coral reef area in U.S. water.

  • More than 25 percent of Hawaiian reef animals and reef fish are endemic (found only in Hawai`i).  This is the highest percentage of endemism for warm water fish anywhere on earth.

  • Dumping one quart of motor oil down a storm drain contaminates 250,000 gallons of water.

  • Fourteen billion pounds of garbage are dumped into the world's oceans every year.

  • In 1997, volunteers picked up more than 69,000 cigarette butts during one four-hour period on Hawai`i beaches..

  • Thousands of marine mammals die annually from entanglement or ingestion of  marine debris.  This includes endangered green sea turtles, who take 20 years or more to reach sexual maturity.

 

  • 80% of the junk (debris) in the water comes from what we do on land.

  • People are the sole reason for junk in the water.

  • Turtles eat plastic bags, think they're full, and die from starvation as a result.

  • Dolphins, Hawaiian seals, and sea birds become entangled in our debris and get seriously injured or die.

  • Don't release helium balloons.

  • Don't dispose of any junk or rubbish in storm drains.

  • Get involved - one individual can make a difference!

 

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Interested?? - contact us:
  kaimakanasmile@gmail.com

For inquiries or to make a contribution, please contact us at:
Kai Makana
P.O. Box 22719
Honolulu HI  96823
Kai Makana is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, established in 1997, to provide volunteer, in-kind, and financial support for marine wildlife conservation and education.