Investigation underway after coral damaged by dropped anchor

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Ocean Alliance Project was notified of damage done to a coral colony near Kakaako Waterfront Park at an area referred to as Kewalo pipe reef.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The group has been monitoring coral colony species across the island for years.

“We noticed a lot of the coral was flipped over, destroyed rubble throughout the entire area, and we could tell it was very, very recent that this happened,” said Dylan Brown, Ocean Alliance Project Executive Director.

He said they believe the incident happened around June 25-26, 2024.

Brown and others dove down to take a look and could see a long scrape along the coral reef.

“It looked like two separate scars both between 20 to 25 meters and about four meters in width, so pretty large area,” he said.

He said they believe the damage is consistent with a very large vessel, or a boat roughly 100-feet in length.

“The reason those moorings are there is because anchor damage is very hurtful for our reef,” he continued. “If you can tie the boat to a mooring ball that’s not going to drag through the reef, then you can safely visit the sites.”

On Friday, July 5, the Department of Land and Natural Resource’s Division of Aquatic Resources went with Ocean Alliance Project to see the damage.

Brown said this area has rare species of coral.

“Hundreds of years of growth that now is destroyed,” he said.

Brown noted that monitoring is important, and they hope to launch a rapid response pilot program because unfortunately coral reef damage happens frequently.

“If we don’t have eyes down there, we don’t understand this damage, and we have to act later and the quicker we can act, the quicker we can save these coral colonies,” Brown said.

He is asking anyone with video evidence, especially of the anchor dragging the reef, would be helpful and critical.

“Everything is still under investigation and people are trying to figure out what happened so we can find the responsible party,” Brown said.

Coral is a protected species which could mean a hefty fine for the vessel owner.

The Division of Aquatic Resources said they will be analyzing the photos and data in the coming days and weeks.

In the meantime, Brown said he is happy it was spotted so quickly, so emergency repairs can begin this week.

Tips and evidence can be submitted to Ocean Alliance Project, or DLNR.