The Work Begins in Ho‘okena
October 29, 2024
The Work Begins in Ho‘okena: First Corals Have Been Collected
“You’re not only saving our coral but also our ‘ohana and our way of life” said Uncle Damien Kenison. For many community members across the coastline of West Hawai’i, they see the ocean as a resource to feed their families, educate their children, and perpetuate their culture. As one of the last traditional Hawaiian canoe fishing communities, Ho‘okena is an especially significant gathering place for those from this southern area. As a kupuna, Uncle Damien has witnessed the changes to this Bay and stresses the importance of restoring Ho‘okena to ensure that future generations can still rely on traditional fishing practices for subsistence. "Ho‘okena depends on the ocean for food, to supplement our diet. We depend on the fish and coral reef and habitat to feed us and continue our fishing traditions" said Damien "The people of Ho‘okena are known for being fishermen, and their ability to harvest sustainably. It is a necessity for them to maintain a healthy fishery." His work leading the Kauhakō ‘Ohana Association focuses on perpetuating cultural traditions through sustainable and appropriate resource management. Our partnership supports this mission and contributes to the restoration of the resources that the reef ecosystem in Ho‘okena provides.
Dr. Asner and the ‘Āko‘ako‘a survey team visited Ho‘okena in September to conduct a site survey before the field team aboard the Kai Surveyor collected colonies on October 3, 2024. These coral colonies were brought back to the ‘Āko’ako’a Reef Restoration Nursery where they will be rehabilitated and added to our Future Reef Bank to support spawning events next year. The goal of establishing the Future Reef Bank is to collect corals of opportunity from various sites along the west coast of Hawai’i to have a representative sample in the land-based nursery to use in the restoration of those sites. Collecting these first corals will prepare us for future restoration of Ho‘okena by establishing colonies that can create successful spawning events and ultimately seed the Bay.
"As the world changes and progresses, it distracts (the next generation) from caring for the ocean like the kupuna did. This project emphasizes pride in who they are and their fishing heritage, sustainable harvesting practices. If you don't have coral, you don't have fish. Without fish, you can't pass along tradition to the keiki" says Damien "Kupuna are passing away quickly, and they are striving to pass on the kuleana of the place to their children. It is an honor to be participating in a project like this, and will help them to prepare the next generation to mālama the ocean.” Working alongside our culture advisors is vital to understanding what the areas we strive to restore really need. Not only is it our kuleana to restore the reefs for future generations, the key is to pass down this kuleana onto the next generation that will be responsible for maintaining it. We are honored to be part of this ‘ohana and look forward to continuing this work for future restoration of Ho‘okena.
