New Educational Sign Describes How Herbivores Help Coral Reefs

Visitors to Kahekili Beach Park in Ka‘anapali can now learn about the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area (KHFMA), a special type of marine protected site in Ka'anapali, via a new interpretive sign focused on the site, its rules, and the ecology behind it. In May, the Ka‘anapali North Beach Master Association sponsored the installation of the first sign for the region. The Association’s Joe Pluta says his organization is honored to participate because they believe coral reefs are sensitive and vitally important.

Joe Pluta of Ka'anapali North Beach Master Association with the sign he sponsored, posted on the pavilion at Kahekili Beach Park.

The colorful KFHMA signs include information about the site’s rules and boundaries, why it was established, what herbivores are and why they are important, and how these animals help the reef. Herbivores play an important ecological role by eating algae (seaweed or limu) that when unchecked, can overtake and harm the coral. By creating a relatively small area where herbivores are protected from harvest, and where fish feeding is illegal, it is hoped that these animals can help protect the reef from the impacts of land-based pollution such as nutrients which fuel algal growth. Another prominent feature of the sign is a section that distinguishes between the stages of reef decline, from healthy, to stressed, to degraded, and depicts the characteristics of each. The purpose of the sign is to promote compliance with the site’s rules through increased awareness of why the rules were set in place.

Any business, organization, or individual within or near the boundaries of the KHFMA can “adopt” a sign; sponsors are acknowledged on the signs via a ‘sponsorship box’ with their name and logo, as we found that was a successful model with the Respecting Coral Reefs reef etiquette sign. Honua Kai Resort & Spa and the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, resorts located in the center of the protected site's boundaries, are also planning to adopt the signs and install them on their respective properties. 

a closer look at the sign's sponsorship box

The sign’s content  was developed by Liz Foote and Russell Sparks and Darla White of the Division of Aquatic Resources with input from local partners and scientists; they were designed by Geoff Moore of Silver Moon Art and Design using photos donated by Keoki Stender, James Petruzzi, Darla White, Russell Sparks, Linda Castro, and Liz Foote. Funding was provided by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program. For more information on the signs or how to adopt one, please contact me at (808) 669-9062 or Lfoote@coral.org.

On Sunday, July 28, 2013, we’ll hold a community event at Kahekili Beach Park to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the KHFMA’s establishment. This year the annual Birthday Bash is being expanded to incorporate a broader “Ridge to Reef” theme. The new KHFMA sign will be officially unveiled, and its sponsors will be featured and acknowledged as part of the event.