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Most of us throughout Hawaii recognize that healthy coral reefs are an essential part of our culture, values and lifestyle, and provides billions of dollars to our local economy. The Kumulipo, the ancient Hawaiian creation chant, tells us that the coral polyp (koa) was the first living thing created. Our reefs are fundamental to the fabric of our local communities.

They are important sources of food, biodiversity and spiritual well-being, and are central to many traditional cultural activities. Coral reefs provide critical habitats for nearshore fisheries, support the visitor industry and other business and protect our shoreline from waves, storms and erosion as sea levels rise.

Coral reefs are our first line of defense against wave-driven coastal erosion and flooding by diminishing up to 97% of wave energy. Climate impacts — from storms, flooding and sea-level rise to heatwaves, droughts and fires — are expected to become even more intense in the coming years. We must do all we can now to restore and sustain the habitats, like our coral reefs, that sustain the life of our island home.

What many of us might not understand is the vital role herbivores — the fishes that eat limu (algae) — play in keeping our reefs healthy. These fishes, such as parrotfishes (uhu), surgeonfishes (e.g., kala, kole, manini) and chubs (nenue), are a critical part of the coral reef ecosystem and are as essential to Hawaii’s reefs as pollinators are to our forests.

By grazing algae that can otherwise smother and kill coral reefs, abundant and diverse herbivore populations keep reef surfaces clean, providing space for new coral to settle and grow.

In addition, large parrotfishes are among the most important bioeroders on coral reefs — they scrape off coral as they eat limu and excrete it as sand. This fine coral sand accumulates on the reef substrate, contributing to the formation of sandy patches and sediment beds. Reefs with more herbivores are healthier and more resilient to disturbances such as climate-driven marine heatwaves, which can cause corals to bleach and die. These heatwaves are expected to occur more frequently and more severely in the coming years.

The world is currently experiencing a global coral bleaching event, according to NOAA scientists. This is the fourth global event on record and the second in the last 10 years. Without herbivores to control limu, corals cannot recover from these and other events.

Unfortunately, studies show a severe decline in herbivore populations across Hawaii, some dangerously low, imperiling our coral reefs statewide. Oahu’s herbivore populations are in crisis with populations at less than 5% of their potential capacity. Restoring these populations is essential for reef recovery and for the people of Hawaii.

Our 2024 Hawaii State Legislature, in a session focused on recovery and progress for our communities from Lahaina and beyond, clearly demonstrated their recognition of the importance of our marine herbivores by passing and .

Together, these resolutions request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to take critical actions to restore herbivore populations on reefs around Oahu within the next decade. These resolutions are a critical step in helping to ensure we can restore severely depleted herbivore populations and build coral reef resilience in the face of climate impacts.

The Legislature deserves full credit for their vision and commitment to our coral reefs. Mahalo nui loa to Reps. Linda Ichiyama and Mahina Poepoe and Sen. Lorraine Inouye for their leadership in introducing these measures and elevating the need to protect our marine ecosystem for generations to come.

As we celebrate this Saturday, celebrate your vision, leadership and commitment to malama aina. Mahalo.