The project objective is to support development of large living coral modules for outplanting in a concentrated area off waikiki to enhance shallow-water marine tourism use close to the tourism center…

The Kakoo Oiwi organization will receive a $3 million Project Grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program (CFDA 11.469) to support the development of large living coral modules for outplanting off Waikiki, Hawaii. The modules will be grown using established state protocols and a minimum of 80 assorted coral modules measuring 16 inches or potentially up to 1 yard in size will be outplanted by September 2025. The coral modules are intended to enhance shallow-water marine tourism use near Waikiki and provide a free, maintained reef snorkeling experience to relieve pressure on natural reef habitats while helping restart Hawaii's tourism industry post-COVID. The outplanted corals will be maintained over time at the site to offer visitors an alternative to other natural reef areas.

The project objective is to support development of large living coral modules for outplanting in a concentrated area off waikiki to enhance shallow-water marine tourism use close to the tourism center of waikiki. These efforts will provide a free, maintained, reef snorkeling experience to help relieve intense visitor pressure on the island's natural reef habitats and to help RE-start the hawaiian tourism industry after the effects of the covid-19 pandemic. Outplanted modules will be grown using existing, established, and proven state of hawaii protocols and procedures. This project will outplant a minimum combination equivalent to 80 assorted live coral modules (16 inches, but possibly up to 1 yard in size) after a one year period. These outplanted corals will be maintained at the site over time to provide for an alternative to visitors using other natural reef areas for recreation.