Letters
REEF BEEFGreat article, and kudos to Ed Robinson [“Night Dive,”
MNKO Vol. 12 No. 2] for spectacular photography and his leadership in low-impact, environmentally sustainable marine tourism.
Still, I must admit some surprise when Ed describes Hawaii’s reef threats as coming less from humans than from nature itself: “I won’t say that man doesn’t have anything to do with those cycles, but what man does barely touches the surface compared to nature.”
That humans have directly or indirectly caused the destruction of 50 percent of our planet’s precious coral reefs is documented, empirical reality.
I’m not about to pretend that recreational use and overuse rank with climate change, coastal development, and unsustainable and destructive fishing practices as the most significant global threats to coral health. But to suggest that Hawaii reefs are trouble free and human activity is a small impact is just wrong.
According to a 2002 report, marine tourism is a major factor contributing to reef decline at no-take Marine Protected Areas in Hawaii. In 2003, between 28,000 and 100,000 people visited just four sites, with diving and snorkeling being the most popular marine activity. In 1999, tiny Honolua Bay on Maui averaged 250 tourists per day and up to 700 per day during peak season. This volume has certainly increased. Molokini numbers are even greater.
Research also shows that 45 percent of certified SCUBA divers who visit dive sites break coral colonies. Most of this damage appears to be from fin kicks.
I’m not suggesting that this activity is the greatest risk to reef health. It’s yet another stressor on an already troubled system. Ed Robinson Diving Adventures does a fantastic job of limiting its impacts to Maui destinations. But we need to be clear and honest in communicating the very real threats at work and recognize what else we can do to preserve a resource so important to Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian businesses.
Rick MacPherson
Director of Conservation Programs
Coral Reef Alliance
LONG TIME, NO SEAOn page 105 of the March/April issue it states you can view a computer simulation of what happens to Waikiki if global warming raises sea levels by one meter. Where is it?
Received via email from Penny H.
We saw this intriguing animation at the University of Hawai‘i School of Architecture. Unfortunately, after our issue went to press, technical problems prevented us from posting the simulation on our website. Similar to animations in the film An Inconvenient Truth, it showed a map of O‘ahu’s leeward coast, with Waikiki and Honolulu International Airport darkening to represent what happens when the sea rises: They flood.—Ed.TRASH, CANI’m simply scintillated at Tita’s recommendations (“Eh, We Go Talk Trash,”
MNKO Vol. 12 No. 2] for recycling tin cans and the back seats of cars (a favorite location of mine, some might say). And I’m already at work creating a sensational wardrobe out of rice bags. I do so love being in the bag! We can all work away from being one disposabo society, and Tita is an inspiration to every person on Maui, be they local or visitor.
Kudos, too, must go to Sara Smith for her deliciously informative piece “If Can, Can.” [
MNKO Vol. 12 No. 2]. Maui Brewing Co. produces a fabulous product, and Miz Smith certainly knows how to raise a Blonde!
Phoebe Wyoming, Maui
GIVING CHANTS A PIECEMahalo nui loa for this short but powerful glimpse of Hawaiian oli [“Giving Voice to a Culture,”
MNKO Vol. 12 No. 2]. I
ka ‘olelo ke ola I ka olelo ka make. Your article begins to scrape the surface of what is. I hope there are more articles to follow.
Received on our website from A‘ia‘i
GOOD BIRD CALLI loved this story [“The Elusive ‘Ua‘u,”
MNKO Vol. 12 No. 2] and will use it in my Natural Resources class. Thanks again, Shannon.
Received on our website from Carol Rosetta
Maui N¯o Ka ‘Oi magazine welcomes your letters. Mail to Editor, 90 Central Avenue, Wailuku, HI 96793; email to editor@mauimagazine.net; or log on to www.mauimagazine.net. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and clarity.
