New Coral Reef Conservation Displays at Kahului, Airport

New Coral Reef Conservation Displays at Kahului Airport.

The nonprofit Maui Nui Marine Resource Council has introduced new coral reef conservation displays at Kahului Airport.

The displays are installed along the bottom edge of twelve windows in the Southwest concourse, and feature photography of Maui’s coral reefs and beaches, with messages relating to coral reef conservation.

Among the messages are reminders to protect Maui’s coral reefs by standing only on sand, never on coral, to keep fins and feet up while snorkeling, and to choose sunscreens that are free of reef-harming oxybenzone and octinoxate.

The displays are made possible through support from the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Maui Visitors Bureau, along with Pacific Media Group and Hawaiʻi Airport Advertising.

Photos were donated by Drew Sulock Creations and DavidFleetham.com; with graphic design provided by Geoff Moore of Silver Moon Maui Art & Design, located in Haʻikū. Printing and installation were provided by Tony Johnson of Phat Digital Design of Kahului.

“The overall messaging on these signs is that Maui’s community cares about our local coral reefs and wants to educate our visitors so everyone can actively help to protect our reefs while snorkeling, diving, swimming or exploring our reefs,” said Robin Newbold, co-founder and Chair of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. “Based on our experiences with talking with visitors, we believe that visitors want to do the right thing to protect our coral reefs; they sometimes just need some education about what the ‘right thing’ means.”

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council has created a resource page for snorkelers with helpful advice about protecting the reefs and identifying fish and corals.

The airport displays are part of a visitor education project by Maui Nui Marine Resource Council that includes public service ads on local radio stations about safer-for-the-reef sunscreen choices recorded by local waterman Archie Kalepa; paid and public service announcement ads on local radio stations about ways individuals can prevent ocean water pollution by reducing their use of herbicides and pesticides; print ads in local publications about avoiding sunscreens with reef-harming chemicals; social media announcements about protecting Maui’s reefs; printed rack cards about coral reef protection for the tourism industry and more.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is seeking donations from local businesses and individuals to expand these campaigns in 2020. To donate, visit www.mauireefs.org.