As recovery efforts from Hurricane Lowell continue across the island, Surfrider Kauaʻi has announced its October events and provided information on coral bleaching and seabed mining.
Surfrider Kauaʻi is organizing a debris collection and three beach cleanups on these dates:
- Sunday, Oct. 18: ʻOhana Fitfest Obstacle Course 5K from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Anaina Hou Community Park.
- Surfrider Kauaʻi will host a Marine Debris Dash at a booth during the event.
- Saturday, Oct. 24: Coastal cleanup from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Lydgate Park.
- Monday, Oct. 26: Student cleanup and outdoor classroom at Nūkoliʻi Beach Park.
- To join the education team, call or text 805-635-2593.
- Friday, Oct. 30: Pau Hana Cleanup from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Outrigger Beach Resort.
- Park in an event parking spot and meet at the beach in front of the resort.
For more information or to sign up for a volunteer opportunity, visit the Surfrider Kauaʻi website.
Environmental organizations are asking people to report observations of coral bleaching occurring now across Hawaiʻi.
According to Surfrider Kauaʻi, coral bleaching is a stress response caused by elevated water temperatures due to ocean warming and poor water quality. The higher water temperature causes corals to expel the algae that provide most of their food and color, making them appear white. It typically affects a few patches of coral initially but can spread to an entire coral reef.
If anyone notices coral bleaching while in the ocean, share observations, the location, and, if possible, any photos with Eyes on the Reef, Hawaiʻi’s reef monitoring team.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported that the Trump administration is advancing a proposal by The Metals Company LLC that would allow seabed mining over approximately 65,000 square kilometers in the Clarion-Clipperton zone of the Pacific Ocean.
Located between Hawaiʻi and Mexico, this sensitive marine ecosystem is a biodiversity hotspot that could be irreparably harmed by industrial-scale mining of minerals from the ocean floor.
NOAA has opened a comment period until Oct. 19 to accept public feedback and is holding a virtual public hearing on Oct. 13.
To attend the public hearing or learn more, visit the Surfrider Kauaʻi website.
