David Y. Ige

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology are collectively monitoring the extent of coral bleaching from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands/Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument to the main Hawaiian Islands.  NOAA has long predicted a severe coral bleaching event for August-October 2015 in Hawaii and researchers are seeing evidence of this now.

What:
2015 Hawaii Coral Bleaching Outlook

When:
Date:         Friday, Sept. 11, 2015
Time:         11:00 a.m.

Where:
Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor, Kaneohe, Oahu

Who:
·        Brian Neilson, aquatic biologist, DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources
·        Courtney Couch, researcher, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
·        Dr. Ruth Gates, director, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology

Why:
Experts will provide updates on the extent of coral bleaching across the Hawaiian archipelago,
information on what’s ahead and tips on what people can do to help preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems across the state.

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Media Contact:
Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
Office of the Chair
Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 130
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Tel    808-587-0407
Cell   808-295-8749
Fax   808-587-0390
[email protected]