Hawaii Blog

2025APR V2:I1

A Message from Our Coordinator

Kona, HI, USA – We have had quite a start to our program re-launch. From expansion of our survey sites, to updating our species list, and growing our volunteer team, it has been quite an amazing ride so far! I am beyond grateful for our wonderful volunteer dive team, our partners, my fellow Reef Check Hawaiʻi Trainers, and the Reef Check Foundation team.

Without you, none of this is possible, With you the future looks bright!

Mahalo and Happy Diving!

Brad

Congratulations to our Newest Reef Check EcoDivers

Kona, HI, USA – Please welcome our newest Reef Check EcoDivers. We would not be where we are today without the support of our amazing volunteers.

As we ramp up our long-term monitoring program throughout the Hawaiian Islands, we are looking to continue to expand our team.

If you would like to become a Reef Check EcoDiver, and use your dive skills to support coral reef resiliency here in Hawaiʻi, check out this link.

Hawaiʻi Species List Expanded

Kona, HI, USA – After talks with our local partners, including the Division of Aquatic Resources here in West Hawaiʻi, we have expanded our species list in 2025 to include additional fish and invertebrates subjected to various human impacts, as well as, notating presence/absence of invasive algae species. We are thrilled to continue to provide meaningful, open source data to our partners and the public.

Reef Check Hawaiʻi Presents to Local Groups

Hawaiʻi County, HI, USA – Reef Check Hawaiʻi Coordinator, Brad Giles, presented to University of Hawaiʻi – Hiloʻs Marine Options Program students, discussing Reef Check Hawaiʻi and his unorthodox career path to coordinating a marine sciene program here in Hawaiʻi.

Long-term monitoring is a key component to conservation projects. In April, Brad presented “Long-Term Monitoring in a Short-Term World” at Jackʻs Diving Lockerʻs annual Ocean Fair event. The discussion centered around the benefits of long-term monitoring and the connection between people and our coarl reef systems here in Hawaiʻi.

Kelp Forest Monitoring Program Reef Check Hawaiʻi Crossover Course

Kona, HI, USA – Reef Check Hawaiʻi and Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring programs team up to create a crossover course exclusive to current Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring Program divers. Discover how Reef Checkʻs monitoring program is utilized to assess coral reef health on both a local and global scale. Learn the Reef Check survey methodology during the course, then conduct community science surveys on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi as a certified Reef Check EcoDiver. Finally, enjoy a specialty dive at the endo of your week -the highly acclaimed Manta Ray Night Dive! Join us this August for an epic adventure in our beautiful Hawaiian waters!

Try Reef Check Hawaiʻi Experience Launch

Kona, HI, USA – Reef Check Hawaiʻi launches the Try Reef Check program to broaden awareness and interest in our long-term monitoring program here in Hawaiʻi. This is an opportunity for scuba divers to get a taste of what it is like to be a Reef Check EcoDiver and utilize their dive skills to support coral reef resiliency here in Hawaiʻi. Keep an eye out on your email for upcoming dates!

Critter of the Month

Achilles Tang/Pakuʻikuʻi/Acanthurus achilles

The Achilles Tang is one of the species we have recently added to our Reef Check Hawaiʻi protocol. This beautiful fish features an orange teardrop on the back third of its body and an orange caudal (tail) fin. As with all tangs, the Achilles Tang has a spine on each side of its body near their tail. These spines are generally tucked into their body, but when threatened, they will flash the spines out and thrash their tail in defense. The Achilles Tang has been a major part of the aquarium trade here in Hawaiʻi. As of the writing of this blog, there is a moratorium on their collection in West Hawaiʻi.

11AUG2024 Reef Check Re-Launches Hawaii Program

Did you know the first ever Reef Check survey was conducted in Kaua’i, Hawai’i, USA?!

Reef Check is happy to announce that we are coming back to the place it all started! That’s right, Reef Check Hawaii is relaunching this Fall and you can be a part of it!

Hi I am Brad Giles, Coordinator for Reef Check Hawaii.

The Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the most remote, nearshore reef systems in the world. Leading to a large percentage of marine organisms being “endemic,” or as I like to put it…only found here in Hawaii! With such a unique and diverse ecosystem it is imperative we understand as much as we can about it.

At Reef Check Hawaii, our objective is to provide researchers, government agencies, scientists, and non-governmental organizations with consistent, accurate data to review, analyze and ultimately make informed decisions.

We do this by training local community members and visitors to become citizen scientist divers so together we can survey the health of our reef systems.

The question today is, “How can I help?”

You can take immediate action today in three easy steps!

1.  Sign up for the Reef Check Hawaii Monthly eNewsletter for program updates.
2.  Follow us on Social Media for in the moment updates, fun critter facts, and all things Reef Check Hawaii:
   • YouTube
   • Instagram
   • Facebook
   • Weekly Blog
3. Donate to Reef Check Hawaii and help launch us towards our next 100 surveys. Various levels! Check out the limited edition T-Shirt, only 150 available! Or maybe you want to sponsor our monthly eNewsletter! Check it out!

You make the difference! Thank you in advance for your time and consideration!

Happy Diving!

Brad

Reef Check Hawaii re-launches this Fall and you can be part of it! Take immediate action TODAY in three easy steps:

EcoDiver – Hawaii

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