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! Contact Cindi Punihaole on 808-895-1010 if you are interested in volunteering.
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 UH 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.
Adopt-a-Day at Kahalu‘u Bay
Your organization can make a difference, one day a week, one day a month, or one day a year!
Employees of businesses, schools or other organizations can take on a day of teaching at the bay. At least 36 organizations on the west coast of Hawai‘i have adopted a day, including Full Life, University of the Nations Foundation School, Innovations Public Charter School, West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy, Hualalai Adacemy, Family Support Services, Fair Winds, Huggo’s, Jack’s Diving Locker, Starbucks, Keauhou Beach Resort, and the Mayor’s Office of Kona.
If you are interested in our Adopt-a-Day program, an experienced Marine Science instructor will train your staff with a 1.5 hour PowerPoint presentation on reef education. We can arrange a training location, or come to your location to train your staff or members. In addition, your business or organization will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Train-the-Trainer
Your staff or members can become ReefTeachers too!
According to the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism
(DBEDT) State of Hawai‘i over 1.6 million visitors came to the Island of Hawai‘i in 2006.
The majority of our visitors want to experience the beauty of our shore and ocean
resources. Our Train-the-Trainer program provides commercial visitor industries and
organizations the opportunity to learn about our reef system and reef etiquette.
Through this educational process, the staff, once trained, will be able to educate the
visitors that patronize their businesses.
ReefTeach Train-the-Trainer Program is an effort to educate staff and members of
businesses and organizations on the Island of Hawai‘i in how to avoid damaging
corals, and how to take care of our turtles and our reef animals. The objective of our
program is to provide consistent and accurate information when educating the visitors
about our coral reef system.
If you are interested in our Train-the-Trainer program, an experienced Marine Science instructor will train your staff with a 1.5 hour PowerPoint presentation on reef education. We will share our ReefTeach Reference Book with you so that it can be used as a teaching tool with your visitors. In addition, your business will receive a Certificate of Completion.