Lanai
Mooring Project
Mooring Project -A Primer
The Bad Old Days
Click On Mooring Photo For Larger Image:
"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 environmental 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.
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