Coral Reef Program
Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KALA) legislative boundary extends a quarter mile offshore, and in addition to submerged lands, encompasses three offshore islands. All submerged land within the park is owned and administered by the state of Hawaii. KALA has threatened and endangered sea turtles that forage within the park and endangered monk seals that use the beaches. Coral reef communities are extensive in a few sheltered areas but primarily consist of scattered coral colonies on basalt boulder habitat. Sandy basins do exist seaward of the drainages for the three principal watersheds within the park. Endemic Hawaiian limpets (opihi) can be found along the park’s extensive basalt shorelines. KALA faces significant issues associated with upland development, including sedimentation and other runoff-associated issues. While fishing is generally not considered a problem (except for opihi), commercial fishing vessels have been observed operating within the park. KALA has a marine natural resources program and marine ecologist on staff with significant marine monitoring expertise.
View a detailed description of the Kalaupapa marine environment. View file in pdf.
Did You Know?
Father Damien's life and death among his people at Kalaupapa focussed the attention of the world on the problem of leprosy and the plight of its victims. After Damien's death in 1889, the people of England established a fund and a commission for the scientific investigation of the disease.