The coral reefs and natural bays have both ecologically and culturally important features

Early Hawaiians used the coral reefs and natural bays of Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park on the western shore of Hawai’i island for fishing and aquaculture. Today, the park maintains cultural treasures such as two fishponds and a fish trap used by ancient Hawaiians. The fishponds and surrounding coral reefs are home to many species of desired food fish such as Ê»ama'ama (mullet) and Ê»opelu (mackerel). Coral reef communities and the beaches in this park are also important habitat for honu (green sea turtles) and schools of brightly colored lau’i pala (yellow tangs). Due to this park’s proximity to an urban environment, a swimmer is almost as likely to see people as she is to see fish.

Herbivorous fish, invertebrates, and honu protect corals from over-growth of algae

Map of Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical ParkNumber of units: 1
Total area: 1,160 acres
Total marine area in park: 627 acres

In some of the 627 acres of marine habitat at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, coral reefs build colorful communities. In this park, live stony coral cover is relatively high (33%) and macroalgae cover is relatively low (10%; NPS 2009). The fish, invertebrates, and honu that eat macroalgae prevent it from growing so rapidly that it would smother corals. The low macroalage cover may suggest that the herbivores are present on the reef in large enough numbers to control algae (NPS 2009).

Geological features allow fresh groundwater to seep into the coastal waters of the park. The places where the ocean water and freshwater meet make good habitat for soft corals (2% cover) that tend to thrive in less salty water.
Cover refers to the space covered by a particular organism on a reef or seafloor when viewed from above. Scientists often use changes in coral cover over time to monitor the overall health of a coral reef.

pie chart of coral cover at KAHOcoral reef at Kaloko fishpond

table of physical features of parkAi‘opio fish trap, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

Rainfall and geology in this region determine how much freshwater reaches coral reefs at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park through groundwater seeps. The groundwater influences water temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels—factors that affect coral reef health. Cold groundwater seeps might reduce the impacts of climate change on coral reefs by counteracting increasing ocean temperatures on a small localized scale.