OʻAHU: ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

Coral reefs act as the lungs of the ocean. They help feed the marine life in the
sea with significant cosmogenic value to the Kānaka Maoli. Reefs have been
under attack for generations. Unrestricted tourism by the millions destroys native
ecosystems. Agriculture on Oʻahu contributes to the coral reefs’ destruction
because of chemicals in pesticides and loose sediment that end up on the
reefs. These impacts have caused major changes to the reefs on Oʻahu. It is the
responsibility of local residents and tourists to care for and preserve the reefs
because the reefs cannot fight for themselves. Humans must stand up for them.
This study focuses on why coral reefs are important, the threats to coral reef
ecosystems, current conservation methods, and proposed sustainable solutions.