Marine Institute at Maui Ocean Center launches initiative to address ongoing vessel groundings, threat to coral reefs

The Marine Institute at Maui Ocean Center has launched a comprehensive stakeholder survey and community initiative aimed at reducing vessel grounding incidents and strengthening reef protection and response systems across Maui.

This comes in response to vessel groundings that the organization says threaten Maui’s nearshore coral reefs. “In 2023 alone, 15 separate incidents caused significant damage, and additional groundings in subsequent years have reinforced the need for a coordinated, community-driven response,” according to the MOCMI.

“A single grounding can destroy centuries of coral growth in one moment,” said Dustin Paradis, Executive Director of MOCMI. “With our reefs supporting over 25% of all marine life, we cannot afford to wait for the next incident. We’re building a community-driven solution to ensure our reefs—and the economy and infrastructure they protect—are preserved.”

The initiative, supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is designed to bridge community knowledge with management action. In collaboration with the Division of Aquatic Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, NFWF and NOAA, MOCMI will develop a coordinated framework to improve rapid assessment, response, mitigation, and long-term prevention of reef damage.

Key components of the project include:

• Community-Led Solutions: Gathering perspectives from Maui’s diverse stakeholders to better understand contributing factors and identify practical prevention strategies.
• 24-Hour Reporting Hotline: Establishing a dedicated reporting line for vessel grounding incidents to support faster response and coordination.
• Stakeholder Planning Sessions: Hosting facilitated community meetings to co-produce a long-term response and restoration strategy informed by both public input and agency collaboration.

“Our goal is to reach over 5,000 individuals to ensure this framework reflects the diverse voices of Maui,” said Larissa Treese, Director of Operations at MOCMI. “Whether you’re a commercial operator, recreational ocean user, or concerned resident, your input will directly inform this plan.”

The Vessel Grounding Stakeholder Survey is now live on MOCMI’s website. Community members and stakeholders are encouraged to participate, sign up for upcoming planning sessions, and share the survey to help ensure broad community representation.