Lanai Mooring Project

Mooring Project -A Primer

The Bad Old Days

"Why aren't there moorings at your dive sites?" This question often asked by divers aboard the Extended Horizons is embarrassing because in the past I had to reply "The State does not want us to set them and will penalize divers and operations with heavy fines if we do."Then the dialogue would go something like this "What!? That s Crazy! I would think they would want to protect the reef." "Yes that is what one would think, however the truth is they are more concerned about possible liability arising out of setting moorings than supporting the environment."
This is what the atmosphere of litigation has wrought. The State of Hawaii during the 80's and early 90's disallowed the dive community to set moorings. While the rest of the dive world was setting aside areas and protecting the reef from anchoring Hawaii was flat out discouraging day use moorings and even threatening those who put moorings in with big fines.

What was the Genesis For Change?


Sea Grant which is a Federally supported research agency that operates under the wing of the University of Hawaii. Not unlike the land grant arrangements found at mainland universities, Sea Grant is a vehicle for coordinating research for the government on, around and with the University of Hawaii. They were involved in a variety of projects in the early 1980's. These projects ranged from Aquaculture research to looking at success of In Water Recompression that was practiced by the Hawaiian Black Coral Divers in the early 80's and a range of other interests. Among the researchers were many people in the Hawaiian community that identified the need for a liaison group to be created between the community and the government. This liaison group was established in 1987 and called The Ocean Resource Council of Hawaii, or TORCH.

Darkness Before the Dawn


Sea Grant originally established and funded TORCH for the first couple of years from 87' to 89'. Creating a statewide focus they organized and appointed a representative for each Hawaiian Island to meet with legislators and do community outreach. Issues focused mainly on diving because the leaders among TORCH were mainly from the dive community. TORCH began by addressing the issue of anchoring on the reef. They asked the State to get the permitting process for moorings formalized so that a system of moorings could be established to protect the reef. In this 2 year period the State paid lip service to TORCH but wouldn't take responsibility for creating a permit process to establish moorings. Meetings went no where and TORCH members began to suffer from political malaise.

Beginning of A New Era


TORCH realizing their impact on the political process was hampered by being under the wing of the Federal government broke away from Sea Grant and became a free standing entity. This allowed them to lobby legislators and take a more political position. However this also meant they lost their tax deductible status. TORCH's funds now are dues generated from the business community and individuals that have interests in ocean recreation issues. By 1991 TORCH had created a presence for themselves by calling up the legislators and senators and being present at the Legislature on a daily basis.

Grateful Dead


Then in 1990 an amazing thing happened. Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead was certified in Kona. While there he was appalled at the situation. To remedy the destruction to the reef The Grateful Dead donated $10,000 to fund day use moorings on The Big Island of Hawaii. At this time their was no vehicle to accept this donation. Moorings were illegal. To remedy the situation Malama Kai Foundation was created to act as a vehicle to allow tax deductible contributions for this purpose.

Outlaws


Adopting the adage "It is easier to get forgiven than get permission" This money was used to set moorings on The Big Island. Soon the divers on the Big Island were no longer dropping anchors. This made the dive sites more pristine and the boats more secure. Enter State of Hawaii. Their reaction to this outlaw move was to fine and threaten the dive operator that perpetrated this "crime". The State was unaware of exactly where the moorings were and how many existed so they were unable to pull them up themselves. This did not stop the State from getting into a protracted legal battle over the moorings in Hawaii. Fines of up to $100,000 were being considered and legal action and additional fines if the moorings were not removed immediately. TORCH braced themselves and called legislators and senators asking if this was really what kind of public message the State of Hawaii wished to send the community and the world. Realizing the status quo would no longer wash with anyone the State quietly dropped all charges and came to the table with a proposal for the permitting process. This is what the dive community and TORCH had been requesting for more than 10 years. The issue was resolved to the satisfaction of most with the State of Hawaii taking possession of the existing moorings in Hawaii establishing a code of usage and drawing up new laws in and around how these moorings will be used. These laws were adopted September 1995. This has paved the way for the use of moorings statewide.

Common Area/ Common Sense


Ocean recreation has been one of Hawaii's biggest growth industries, and is projected to gross over 700 million in annual revenues by next year. This of course is tax dollars for the State so it make sense to respect and protect our aquatic resources.

The first place to be officially sanctioned and pinned was the heavily used Molokini Crater. With over 2000 visitors daily in the crater the impact of anchors from the upwards of 50 boats had created too much destruction of the reef. Many divers stopped going to this unique place because it was too heartbreaking to see the anchors sweep away the remaining coral. Molokini is pinned and it is illegal to anchor there except in very limited circumstances. The next step on is to set pins on Lanai.

Lanai Mooring Project


In September of 95 I attended a meeting of concerned operators to begin spearheading the drive to create the Lanai mooring project. Extended Horizons was told that the project needed a boat, divers and money to begin setting pins Though we finally had State approval to set the moorings the State indicated that we were on our own to raise the funds. We were also told, due to the scope of the project (over 230 moorings statewide) the best way to raise funds was to get going a little at a time. We enthusiastically donated our boat for use, our divers for diving and gave Malama Kai $1000.
Malama Kai has since created a program in which an individual or business may adopt a buoy. Since spring of 96' Extended Horizons divers' have participated by donating $750 to date. At this point the only local dive operators actively showing up for logistical meetings on the Lanai mooring project are Lahaina Divers, Trilogy, Navatek, and Extended Horizons. With Extended Horizons the only one that has donated financial support, and taken an active leadership role in pushing to get the pins in as soon as possible. Other operators seem to think that it does not really concern them but they will be happy to use the moorings when they are in. Reminds me of the fable of The Grasshopper and the Ant I would ask you to click on that here.

Make a Difference


Without the help and contributions of divers the dive community on Maui will not be able to make this project happen. YOU make the difference as to how much longer the reef is destroyed by anchors. Consider this.
Your donation will positively enhance Hawaii now and for the future. Realize how much impact you can have through your donation. A single mooring costs about $600 in supplies and donated labor to set. It will be effectively protecting the reef immediately upon installation and you can know that you have a direct impact on saving the reef. Habitat destruction will stop immediately and regrowth can begin.

AND YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
Malama Kai Foundation is a non profit corporation. Their IRS TAX ID # is 99-0285490. They have been set up for the purpose of protecting the reef and creating a trust to continue this protection. Any Donation is tax deductible .
To contribute as little as $5 or as much as The Grateful Dead go to our mooring adoption form

A small donation can buy rope or buoys or fuel or even air fills for the working divers.
For those who can contribute more there is the Adopt A Buoy program Mahalo

Status Report: Work begun DEC. 4, 1996.

The first five pin holes were drilled and pins were set on Lanai. See the newspaper article.
 We went through a steep learning curve on the underwater drilling equipment, and after the bugs were worked out things have smoothed out a bit. We have had volunteer help from Mark Schacht of Pacific GreenDivers (see their link on our jump page), Ron Hanson, and Jim Housh everyday, and host of support from other divers. As for financial contributions, Extended Horizons is the only dive operator on Maui that has made a financial contribution to this fund, we are still awaiting a commitment from our associates in the business here. If any of you dive with them, ask what they are doing for this project. We did receive free air from Lahaina Divers. We appreciate the support we have received from divers at large and our clients.

Status Report. Moorings Placed on Oct. 9,10 1997.

Maui Dive Shop donated their Whaler to allow the core mooring team (Erik Stein, Greg Howith of Lahaina Divers, Jim Housh of TORCH, and two volunteers, Suzi Grubler of Extended Horizons and Doug of Maui Dive Shop to set 7 pins in one day. Followed up the next day aboard the Reliant (Lahaina Divers) with the same team also including Amy Stephens of Extended Horizons and Carl LaRiviere of Extended Horizons. setting two pins in very nasty weather. After a 10 month hiatus this was great success!.

Status Report. Moorings Placed on Oct. 16,17 1997.

Maui Dive Shop dedicated their Whaler for the project on both these days and pins were placed at 2nd Cathedral and Knob Hill on Oct. 16. On the following day uplinks were placed at Knob Hill, and Lighthouse and the double pins were placed for the larger vessels at Lighthouse. As were the single pin placements done for the snorkel rafts at Lighthouse. This completes the pining phase for the popular spot Lighthouse which can protect as many as 5 or 6 boats now in beautiful conditions when it is too windy to dive or snorkel elsewhere. Kudo's to Navatech and Trilogy for providing support divers to supplement our core team.

Status Report.

Moorings repaired on Lanai. 98-99. Many of the original moorings on Lanai have held up very well. Most have needed new balls or uplink ropes which have been provided as needed by Extended Horizons, Maui Dive Shop, and Lahaina Divers.

Status Report.

Fall of 1999- State DLNR Enforcement pulls out uplinks installed on Lanai and attempts to give citations to "offending" dive boats that installed them. Divers try to tell the left hand what the right hand is doing but officers are 'just doing their job"...Business as usual.

Winter 1999...It appears we are all on the same page now!

Jan 2000 Mooring work is being organized by Lahaina Divers to place moorings on the coast of Maui. Volunteers are being sought.

June 2000 -Moorings have been installed on south Maui at the Five Graves Turtle Town area. This volunteer work was done by local divers.

June 2000- Maui News gives Front Page article to the installation of mooring pins and gives the project a much needed facelift. Coral Reef Network , a local Maui organization begins to shepard the program.

July 2000- The mooring program is currently stalled because the permit to install (issued 15 years ago) has expired. This situation is currently being remedied and hopefully we will be installing moorings again by Fall of 2000.

MAY 2004 - Current Status-- New Grassroots Coalition being formed called Maui Reef Fund . A Local Non profit entity being supported by a few businesses and hopefully more as we show some success and several enviromental groups. Currently being sheparded into existence by Extended Horizons Scuba, Maui Dreams Dive Co., Mike Severns Scuba, Ed Robinson Scuba, Octopus Reef Scuba, Pacific Whale Foundation, Coral Reef Network, Logistical support by World Wildlife Fund, Nature Conservancy, Coral Reef Alliance, with interest shown also by Lahaina Divers, Maui Dive Shop and several individuals. Meetings being held bi monthly and efforts being made to re start Mooring Pin operations. Still waiting for State of Hawaii to allow old permits to be reissued. We have Malama Kai working at the State level to again allow for permits to be reissued on a fast track basis instead of the usual 2 year wait from the dept. In the meantime many older moorings are in need of repair. Please check back for updates on how you can contribute and help save the reef. We will build Maui Reef Fund as a team that is able to take on this task.

Nov 2004 Maui Reef Fund will be sheparding the revival of the mooring project by repairing broken moorings and tackle with volunteer help and donations while awaiting success from Malama Kai's lobbying efforts to restart the process to place previously permitted moorings in and around Maui. The New Maui Reef Fund is a non profit that will allow you to donate to this worthy cause knowing that your donation is tax deductible and the funds are used for moorings here on Maui.

Great News

Spring 2005 Maui Reef Fund successfully repairs all 14 Moorings on Lanai. All Moorings at Molokini slated for repair. Maui Reef Fund successfully picks 5 new mooring sites for the next batch of moorings being put in on Maui. This project is gathering momentum now. Thank you for your contributions and watch us make a difference.  

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