We are a group of community members from West Maui working to restore the coral reefs, fisheries, and traditions once practiced within the ahupua'a (land division) of Polanui near Lāhaina town. Our efforts are enhanced by long-held values of laulima (cooperation) and kuleana (responsibility), and strong community involvement.

Nā Papalimu O Pi‘ilani, the reef off Maui’s Lāhaina coastline at Polanui, was once known for its abundance of fish and edible limu (algae). These resources, carefully tended by kūpuna (elders), sustained Lāhaina families for generations. But like other Hawaiian reefs adjacent to high population centers, it now shows signs of significant human impact associated with overharvesting, recreational use, sediment, and poor water quality. These stressors are contributing to the reef’s decline and consistently low fish populations. And as resources and habitats disappear, so do the roots, knowledge, and practices patiently acquired by Hawaiian people over generations. One way we are addressing this challenge is by engaging our community in monitoring fish abundance, presence and absence, human recreational use, and coastal water quality. This community-gathered data will be used to make informed decisions related to Polanui's future management. Check out our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To get involved, please e-mail us.

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ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

West Maui Perception Study 2023 2-pager
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Ocean Friendly Guide Maui
File Size:	1973 kb
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Polanui Hiu Community Action Plan
File Size:	9973 kb
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Polanui Hiu Community-Based Fish Surveys
File Size:	5842 kb
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Polanui Hiu & TNC Coral Reef and Fish Surveys
File Size:	3496 kb
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Polanui Hiu Fish Presence/Absence Survey
File Size:	7075 kb
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Polanui Hiu Fish Abundance Survey
File Size:	6312 kb
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Polanui Creel Survey Report
File Size:	6402 kb
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Learn more about our work to restore the reef Nā Papalimu O Pi'ilani and about our collaborative efforts with Maui Cultural Lands to improve management of areas that are mauka (towards the mountain):

• OpEd: Moomomi Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area designation By Edwin “Ekolu” Lindsey - Maui Time (August 19, 2020)
• Bountiful oceans support us in uncertain times - The Maui News (June 9, 2020)
• Organizers Are Trying to Inform Tourists About Mauiʻs Fragile Reefs - Maui Now (October 13, 2019)
  
• Polanui Hiu creates Ocean Friendly Guide to protect our coral reefs - Lahaina News (September 19, 2019)
• Places We Protect - Polanui - The Nature Conservancy (September 1, 2018)
• “We take care of what we value; We value what we know.” Kūpuna and students talk about what it takes to save our coral reefs. - Huffington Post (June 27, 2017)
• Polanui Hiu Reflection - Kamehameha Schools Maui (April 15, 2016)
• Help Polanui Hiu protect a cherished Lahaina reef - Lahaina News (February 4, 2016)
• Reef restoration requires collaboration - Maui County (November 23, 2015)
• Isle coral reef experts seek to be included in conservation policies - Maui News (September 12, 2014)
• Cultivating Cultural Seeds - TEDxMaui (April 9, 2012)

Photo credit: MauiDigitalImages.com (header)

Follow Polanui Hiu on Facebook and Instagram!
@polanuihiu