Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
colored rocks, corals are living animals with hard exoskeletons-just as alive as the
fish swimming above them or the eels inhabiting their crevices.
As with all things which are alive, however, corals can easily die, and one of the
main threats to Maui's corals right now is the number of visitors who stand on the
reefs. Granted, it isn't always on purpose, and when many snorkelers go to fix their
snorkel mask or readjust their hair tie, they don't realize they're probably killing the
ground they're standing on.
Snorkeling areas such as Honolua Bay, Kahekili Beach Park, and Olowalu have
seen the most damage in recent years. Estimates from recent studies suggest that
West Maui has lost as much as 25 percent of live coral growth in the last decade
alone. There are other factors involved, such as sedimentation, overfishing, algal
blooms, pesticide-laden runoff, and even the petroleum-based sunscreen which
washes off visitors' shoulders and ends up settling on the sensitive polyps. Regard-
less of the exact source, however, the fact remains that Maui's reefs are under attack,
and visitors can do their part in protecting this fragile ecosystem by eliminating con-
tact with the reef all together, whether it be while adjusting your snorkel mask in
waist-deep water, bracing yourself to take a photo, or swimming along the ocean
floor while on an underwater snuba or scuba adventure.
All beachgoers must work toward the health and protection of our island's coral
reefs for the sake of our future.
In Kahana,
Maui Dive Shop
(4405 Honoapi'ilani Hwy., 808/669-3800,
www.mauidiveshop.com
, 8am-9pm daily) is within the Kahana Gateway Center by Maui
Brewing Company and offers a full range of rentals as well as information on its dive and
snorkeling charters to Molokini and Olowalu.
In Honokowai, locally run
All About Fish
(3600 Lower Honapi'ilani Hwy., 808/
669-1710,
www.mauifish.net
,
9am-5pm Mon.-Sat., noon-4pm Sun.) in the 5A Rent A
Space mall offers affordable rentals on a full range of dive equipment. This is a good op-
tion if you're staying in a condo in Honokowai and looking for local advice on snorkel-
ing conditions. You can relax knowing you can walk in here to rent some snorkeling gear
without somebody trying to sell you a helicopter tour.
