The Coral Pledge Initiative Seeks to Reduce Human Impacts

The nonprofit Maui Nui Marine Resource Council invites the public to a free talk on Monday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at The Sphere at Maui Ocean Center to learn about the “The Coral Pledge,” a new initiative to reduce human impacts on Hawaiʻiʻs reefs year-round.

The presenter is Dan Dennison, Senior Communications Manager for the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources. The Coral Pledge was created by the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources and was introduced statewide earlier this month.

The eveningʻs presentation will include details about The Coral Pledge and will feature a showing of “Saving Coral,” a half-hour television special created by DLNR to educate the public about threats to Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs. Dennison will also provide updates on  “30 x 30” which is a State of Hawaiʻi commitment to effectively manage 30% of Hawaiʻiʻs nearshore ocean waters by 2030.

At the conclusion of the evening, Maui Ocean Center will also provide a special holiday treat for attendees: a viewing of the movie, “Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi,” to be shown in 3D at The Sphere.

“The Coral Pledge provides a simple set of recommendations to help reduce human impacts to Hawai‘i reefs year-round, but particularly during bleaching events,” said Dennison. “While all ocean users can learn from the recommendations in The Coral Pledge, we especially encourage commercial tour operators and businesses who work in and around the ocean, and who regularly interact with visitors, to attend to learn about The Coral Pledge and hopefully to sign up to participate in this initiative.”

Admission to this event is free and the public is invited. Because seating is limited in The Sphere, the public is encouraged to make a free reservation online.

Maui Ocean Center is donating the use of The Sphere to Maui Nui Marine Resource Council for the presentation. The new facility features movie-style seating, acoustics and state-of-the-art video/audio with a large presentation screen.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council holds free public presentations on the first Wednesday of each month, as part of its “Know Your Ocean Speaker Series.” However, this Monday, Dec. 9th presentation on The Coral Pledge will replace Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s regularly scheduled meeting for December.

Dan spends a great deal of time shooting video and photographs in remote areas of Hawai’i to provide material for media coverage. PC courtesy Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.

Dan spends a great deal of time shooting video and photographs in remote areas of Hawai’i to provide material for media coverage. PC courtesy Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.

PC courtesy Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.