11/21/25 – FIRST CORALS OF OPPORTUNITY COLLECTED FOR KAUAʻI’S NEW CORAL RESTORATION NURSERY – Department of Land and Natural Resources (.gov)

Report on the Inaugural Coral Collection for the Kauaʻi Coral Restoration Nursery

Executive Summary

On November 17, 2025, a multi-agency team successfully collected the first coral specimens for the newly established Kauaʻi Coral Restoration Nursery (KCRN). This initiative represents a significant step in building local capacity for reef restoration and emergency response on the island of Kauaʻi. The project is strategically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), by actively working to restore and enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems against environmental stressors.

Project Overview and Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Initiative Details

• Date of Collection: November 17, 2025
• Location: Nōmilu Fishpond, Līhuʻe, Hawai‘i
• Primary Objective: To populate the new KCRN with initial specimens to cultivate healthy source colonies for future reef restoration projects.
• Specimens Collected: “Corals of opportunity,” which are naturally dislodged or damaged coral fragments, were collected to avoid impacting healthy reefs.

Contribution to SDG 14: Life Below Water

This project is a direct implementation of actions required to meet SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use marine resources. The establishment of the KCRN contributes to the following targets:

• Restoration of Marine Ecosystems (Target 14.2): The nursery’s core mission is to cultivate and outplant corals, directly contributing to the restoration of degraded reef habitats and strengthening their resilience to future impacts.
• Biodiversity Conservation: By restoring the foundational structure of coral reefs, the initiative helps to halt the loss of biodiversity and protect the multitude of species that depend on these critical ecosystems, aligning with the broader goals of SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• Building Local Capacity: The facility provides Kauaʻi with trained staff and infrastructure, enhancing the island’s ability to respond to acute events like storm damage or ship groundings and manage its marine resources sustainably.

Methodology and Collaborative Framework

Scientific Approach and Nursery Operations

The KCRN employs a proven rapid-growth methodology adapted from the Hawaiʻi Coral Restoration Nursery (HCRN) on Oʻahu. This scientific approach is designed to maximize the efficiency of coral cultivation for restoration purposes.

1. Species Collection: The initial collection focused on two key reef-building species: Montipora capitata (Rice Coral) and Porites lobata (Yellow-Lobed Coral).
2. Fragmentation: At the nursery, each coral is carefully cut into 1–3 cm² fragments, a process known as microfragmentation.
3. Module Attachment: Fragments are attached with even spacing onto pyramid-shaped cement modules.
4. Colony Growth: The fragments are allowed to grow along their living edges, eventually fusing to form large, healthy colonies (approximately 30 cm x 30 cm) ready for outplanting.

Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)

The success of this initiative exemplifies the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration, a core principle of SDG 17. The project is a joint effort that mobilizes the knowledge, expertise, and resources of diverse organizations.

• Hoʻomalu Ke Kai
• Kauaʻi Ocean Awareness
• Kauaʻi Sea Farm
• DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)
• University of Hawaiʻi Coral Resilience Lab

Broader Impacts on Climate Action and Community Resilience

Addressing Climate Change Impacts (SDG 13: Climate Action)

Coral reefs are on the front lines of climate change, with rising ocean temperatures causing severe bleaching events. This restoration project is a vital climate adaptation strategy. By cultivating resilient coral species and restoring reef structures, the KCRN directly strengthens the adaptive capacity of marine ecosystems to climate-related hazards, in line with Target 13.1 of SDG 13.

Enhancing Coastal Community Well-being (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The ecological benefits of this project extend to human communities. Healthy coral reefs serve as natural breakwaters, protecting coastlines from storm surges and erosion. By restoring these natural defenses, the KCRN contributes to the resilience of coastal communities and infrastructure, a key objective of SDG 11.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The establishment of the Kauaʻi Coral Restoration Nursery is a critical milestone for marine conservation in Hawaiʻi. As the first and only coral nursery on the island, it fills an essential gap in the statewide restoration network. This project not only addresses the urgent need to restore local reef ecosystems but also serves as a model for effective, collaborative action in achieving the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a profound impact on SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and its interconnected goals for climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable partnerships.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The entire initiative focuses on the conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems, specifically coral reefs in Kauaʻi. The article details efforts to “build local capacity for reef restoration,” “strengthen the resilience of the island’s reef ecosystems,” and contribute to “Hawaiʻi’s broader restoration network and long-term reef stewardship.” These actions directly support the goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights the collaborative nature of the coral restoration project, which is a core principle of SDG 17. It explicitly states that the collection of corals was a joint effort by “Hoʻomalu Ke Kai, in collaboration with Kauaʻi Ocean Awareness, Kauaʻi Sea Farm, the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), and the University of Hawaiʻi Coral Resilience Lab.” This multi-stakeholder partnership, involving non-profits, private entities, government agencies, and academic institutions, is essential for achieving the project’s conservation goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

   The article directly addresses this target by describing a coral restoration project. The establishment of the nursery is a proactive measure to “strengthen the resilience of the island’s reef ecosystems” and provide “healthy source colonies for restoration projects,” especially “in the wake of recent severe bleaching events and increasing environmental stressors.”

2. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States.

   The project is based on scientific methods and aims to build local capacity. The article mentions using a “rapid-growth methodology was developed at the DAR Hawaiʻi Coral Restoration Nursery (HCRN) on Oʻahu” and that the “Kauaʻi project will work closely with HCRN to adapt and expand this proven protocol.” The involvement of the “University of Hawaiʻi Coral Resilience Lab” further underscores the focus on research and scientific knowledge.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   The project is a clear example of this target in action. It is a partnership between a government agency (DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources), civil society organizations (Hoʻomalu Ke Kai, Kauaʻi Ocean Awareness), a private entity (Kauaʻi Sea Farm), and an academic institution (University of Hawaiʻi). This collaboration mobilizes shared expertise and resources for reef stewardship.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Number of coral nurseries established: The article explicitly states that this project is the “first and only coral nursery on Kauaʻi,” which serves as a baseline indicator for restoration capacity on the island.
2. Number and diversity of coral species propagated: The article specifies the collection of two coral species, “Montipora capitata (Rice Coral) and Porites lobata (Yellow-Lobed Coral).” This can be used as an indicator to track the diversity of corals being restored.
3. Growth rate and size of coral colonies: The article details the methodology, where fragments are grown into “large, healthy colonies measuring approximately 30 cm x 30 cm.” The size and health of these colonies are direct measures of the nursery’s success.
4. Number of collaborating partners: The article identifies five distinct organizations involved in the partnership. This number serves as an indicator of the strength and scope of the multi-stakeholder collaboration.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dlnr.hawaii.gov