Volunteer
Join the effort to save Kahalu‘u Bay’s corals and educate visitors on the importance of Hawai'i’s coral reef ecosystem...ReefTeaching is effective and fun!
Since 2000, volunteer ReefTeachers of all ages have been teaching hundreds of visitors to Kahalu‘u Bay how to enjoy the bay without adversely impacting the fragile coral reef environment. Trained volunteers use picture boards, reference books and field guides to teach visitors about delicate coral and the organisms that depend upon coral for food and shelter. In particular, ReefTeachers emphasize how swimmers should avoid touching or standing on coral, removing anything from the reef, feeding the fish or harassing the turtles that feed and bask in the bay.
As well as teaching people about the reef, volunteers collect data about human use
on-site, such as how many people are on the beach and snorkeling at different times. In addition, volunteers collect in-water data about how visitors are interacting with the reef and reef animals whilst snorkeling. This in-water data collected by volunteers has demonstrated that visitors that have been educated by ReefTeach volunteers about coral are less likely to stand on or touch coral.
Volunteers are trained by a U.H. Sea Grant Extension Agent and experienced Marine Science Instructors. Interested volunteers are asked to attend two training sessions- one classroom and one on-site. The classroom training session covers basic coral reef ecology, reef etiquette, data collection protocols, some different approaches to educating our visitors on the beach, and volunteer scheduling. The on-site orientation session at Kahalu‘u Bay includes a site orientation, description of educational materials, snorkel tour of the bay and initiation to ReefTeaching. All volunteers get a free ReefTeach T-shirt!
Classroom Lecture: 2 hour session
Location: Bakken Foundation Office across the street from Home Depot on the second floor. North of Kaloko Furniture building.
On-Site Training: 1 hour session
Location: Kahalu‘u Beach Park. Bring your snorkel gear.
Download our ReefTeach brochure for more information.
Your business or organization can also Adopt a Day or join the Train the Trainer program.
Contact Cindi Punihaole on 808-895-1010 or Caroline Neary on 808-345-0238 if you are interested in volunteering.