KEALAKEKUA BAY STATE HISTORICAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – Kealakekua Bay will be the site of a community-driven invasive species removal event on Sunday, May 18th, as part of a larger effort to restore the bay’s delicate ecosystem and honor its cultural significance. The event is hosted by local nonprofit ʻIke Lawaiʻa, in partnership with KapuKapu ʻOhana and the Alex & Duke De Rego Foundation.
To ensure the safety of participants and the public, Kealakekua Bay waters will be closed to all other uses from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event.
Volunteers will focus on removing specific invasive fish species, including Roi (Cephalopholis argus), Taʻape (Lutjanus kasmira), and Toʻau (Lutjanus fulvus). No other species will be targeted during the removal.
This initiative directly addresses the goals outlined in the Kealakekua Bay Community Action Plan, adopted in 2022. This plan serves as a community-led framework for responsible stewardship of the area.
The implementation of the plan is spearheaded by KapuKapu ʻOhana community stakeholders and various state partners, including the Kealakekua Bay Cultural Advisory ʻOhana, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, Hoala Kealakekua Nui, NPS – Ala Kahakai, and the DLNR Divisions of Aquatic Research, Conservation and Resources Enforcement, and State Parks.
The Community Action Plan was officially integrated into the Hawaiʻi State Parks Master Plan for Kealakekua Bay Marine Life Conservation District/State Historic Park by the Board of Land and Natural Resources in 2023, solidifying its importance in the area’s management.
“We are proud to bring our community together to care for our bay through the knowledge of our ancestors,” said Chuck Leslie, from ʻIke Lawaiʻa. “Removing invasive species supports our coral restoration, fish population and makes sure all things are healthy in Kealakekua Bay. We make sure that there is a future for both our keiki and this wahi pana (sacred place).”
ʻIke Lawaiʻa, a Native Hawaiian Organization deeply rooted in Kealakekua Bay, is dedicated to perpetuating traditional lawaiʻa (fishing) practices. Their mission encompasses safeguarding the bay’s environmental and cultural well-being and passing down ancestral knowledge to future generations.
For more information about ʻIke Lawaiʻa and its mission, please visit: https://ikelawaia.org
To learn more about the Kealakekua Bay Community Action Plan, please visit: https://kealakekua.org/community-action-plan/