Thursday, October 24
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center in Ma’alaea
FREE and OPEN TO ALL!

The reefs located at Olowalu are considered the most diverse of all of Maui’s coral reef ecosystems. Dr. Eric Brown once described the Olowalu reef as “the best leeward reef in Maui and probably the whole state.”

With development plans underway for a community of 1,500 homes, plus shops, restaurants and more in Olowalu, what is being done to protect the beautiful and fragile reefs off shore?

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Making Waves Lecture Series takes up this question, with an evening of presentations devoted to “Operation: Olowalu Reef.” Speakers include:

Sarah McClane, Executive Director of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council Sarah will speak about the Maui Coral Reef Recovery Plan. The plan addresses documented decreases in both coral cover and reef fish populations on Maui and the major causes (i.e., land-based sources of pollution, overfishing, deteriorating water quality, invasive algae, and climate change) of these declines.

John Fitzpatrick of the University of Hawaii John will speak about his research utilizing citizen science and Go Pro cameras to evaluate coral reef health at Olowalu.

If you love Olowalu’s reef and the vast array of wildlife that live among these corals, please attend this presentation — and learn about the role of citizens as scientists and eyes and ears on behalf of the Olowalu reef.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center is located on the ocean level of the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops, next to Maui Ocean Center. For information, please call (808) 249-8811 ext. 1 or visit www.pacificwhale.org.