The Digital Coral Ark

HANAUMA BAY, OʻAHU | HAWAIʻI

Hanauma Bay Unsplash Free Squarespace Image

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HANAUMA BAY

Located on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, Hanauma Bay is the State of Hawaiʻi’s oldest Marine Life Conservation District. Formed within a magnificent volcanic crater, this bay is a prime spot for observing diverse marine life, including over 450 species of fish and 25 different coral species in striking underwater landscapes. Its clear waters and sandy shores make it a popular destination for both locals and visitors, offering a unique opportunity to experience and learn about one of Hawaiʻi's many fascinating underwater ecosystems.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BAY IN HAWAIʻI

While many admire Hanauma Bay for its aesthetic allure and abundant biodiversity, the bay also stands as a significant emblem of Hawaiian culture and history, deeply interwoven with the stories and livelihoods of the Hawaiian people. Historically, the bay played a pivotal role in navigation and ocean voyaging. It was also revered as a sacred place, and was visited by Hawaiians on special occasions. Further, Hanauma was an early Hawaiian conservation area, and most Hawaiian fishers came to the bay by canoe and only stayed a night or two. Later, Hanauma was considered the private fishing ground of the Ali’i (Hawaiian royalty) which further restricted access to the bay and preserved its pristine biodiversity. The inherent connection between the bay and the Hawaiian people for generations reflected the core values of respect for nature and sustainable living.

This connection was frayed in the 1920’s with the birth of the tourism industry in Hawaiʻi, and Hanauma Bay was specifically targeted as a tourism destination with very little thought to its preservation or conservation.

IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING ITS HISTORY

Discussing the history of Hanauma Bay is not merely an exploration of the past but a crucial thread that weaves into the very fabric of present-day discussions on conservation, marine science, culture, and coexistence. The transition from a secluded paradise, intimately tied to local life, to an industrial-scale tourist hotspot created many challenges. The verbal and photographic stories contained in the Digital Coral Ark deserve reflection and understanding, both now and in the future.

DEGRADATION

People see photographs in guidebooks and on travel blogs conjuring visions of crystal clear water and colorful coral and reef fish. The video below, taken in this same area of Hanauma Bay in 2019, shows a reality that may be in contrast to many people’s imagination (or memories).

Sadly, people who are unfamiliar with the reefs, especially young people, don’t have a reference for what a coral reef in Hawaiʻi is supposed to look like. They see some fish and come out the water exclaiming “It’s beautiful! It’s like swimming in an aquarium!” But what they don’t realize, what’s so difficult to communicate to them, is that often what they’re seeing is not a healthy reef system. Species have shifted and declined in diversity, fish abundance has decreased, the coral has diminished significantly in many places, and near-shore waters are often polluted and filled with nutrients fostering unhealthy algal growth and creating turbidity. Without comparative reference imagery, shifting baseline syndrome occurs and degraded reefs can become the ‘new normal’ in people’s minds.

Do You Have Any Photos/Videos to Share?

IF SO, PLEASE VISIT OUR PHOTO/VIDEO CONTRIBUTOR PAGE AND GET IN TOUCH!

WE’RE LOOKING FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF HANAUMA BAY SNORKELING THAT:

have sufficient clarity and resolution to visually identify species of fish and/or coral.
can be identified by date and location (either by personal knowledge or embedded camera data).
are owned by adults 18 and over willing to grant permission to use in the historical database.
are from any previous time, but especially those taken prior to 2016.

Image Credits & Readings

Image Credits

Unsplash via Squarespace

Christine Zalewski for Dear Ocean