Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui
The Atlas analyzed data collected between 1999 and 2019 by numerous public and private organizations to describe the abundance, biomass, and diversity of marine life on the coral reefs of West Maui, from the Pali Tunnel on Honoapiʻilani Highway (Rte 30) to Līpoa Point. The findings highlight changes and trends across the region and discuss the conditions of West Maui reefs within the statewide context.
Subject Tags
- Reefs
- Fisheries
- Ecosystem management
Introduction
The Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui is a comprehensive assessment of coral reef ecosystems along 38 km of Maui's western coastline, extending from Pali Tunnel to Līpoa Point. Produced by The Nature Conservancy and partners, the report synthesizes more than 20 years of reef monitoring data collected between 1999 and 2019 from over 2,450 benthic survey sites and 2,600 fish survey locations. It examines coral cover, fish biomass, species diversity, reef resilience, and long-term ecological trends across six major focus areas. The atlas highlights the impacts of overfishing, land-based sedimentation, wastewater pollution, invasive species, and climate-driven coral bleaching on reef condition. It identifies regional hotspots of biodiversity and resilience, compares reef health with statewide Hawaiian benchmarks, and provides detailed spatial analyses to support conservation planning, community stewardship, reef restoration, and sustainable marine resource management across West Maui.
Suggested Citation
Minton, D., Carr, R., Fielding, E., & Conklin, E. 2020. Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui. The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i. Honolulu, HI. 228 pp.
TNC Authors
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Ryan Carr
Marine Monitoring Manager, Hawai‘i
The Nature Conservancy
Email: rcarr@tnc.org -
Emily Fielding
Marine Program Director, Hawai‘i
The Nature Conservancy
Email: efielding@tnc.org -
Eric Conklin
Marine Science Director, Hawai‘i and Palmyra
The Nature Conservancy
Email: econklin@tnc.org