About
The ‘Anini / Wanini area is a diverse ecological system that holds great cultural and economic value. Its fringing reef is the largest in the state, providing habitat for a wide variety of marine life, some of which are endangered or threatened.
The beauty and bounty of this area has been prized throughout time, but its health has severely plummeted, especially over the last decades. Waniniʻs (‘Anini’s) reef suffers from algal overgrowth and coral disease outbreaks facilitated by pollution carried in by freshwater inputs, including streams, storm runoff and groundwater.
The inland streams, watersheds, marine waters, and fringing reef are historically understudied and have just begun to be monitored by the Division of Aquatic Resources on a routine twice-yearly basis.
Reef Guardians has created an 'Anini Water Quality Characterization Report (Knox, Dressler, Mazor et al. 2022) focused on the broader ‘Anini region from mauka (toward the mountains) to makai (toward the sea) identifying where land-based pollution impacts the ecosystem.
Our resulting actions are to educate our community, carry out action steps and develop a community-based management plan for 'Anini watershed. Our team, led by water quality expert scientists, has recently concluded a community volunteer-staffed water quality testing program, sampling monthly from February 2024 - April 2025.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE. This screening study has provided data determining the need and site selection for our Phase ll Water Quality Testing Program following EPA and DOH approved methodology: collect 30 samples at each site (or a subset of sites) over a 2 year period and analyze nutrient samples at an EPA-approved laboratory on Oahu. Our Kauaʻi based lab will continue EPA-approved methods to measure turbidity and Enterococcus.
The data gathered in our screening project indicate that water quality in ‘Anini, Princeville, and Moloa‘a is likely influenced by wastewater pollution or animal waste. Since wastewater pollution has been shown to reduce coral reef resilience and support invasive algae growth, it is important to determine whether the elevated nitrate and fecal indicator bacteria abundances can be traced to human waste. Also, it is important to determine whether nutrient and turbidity measurements exceed the Hawai‘i Department of Health thresholds for streams and coastal waters.
While the methods required to make these determinations are more costly, particularly for nutrients, it is critical to use approved methods to assess water bodies for threshold exceedances. Evidence of exceedances can drive mitigation action to improve water quality and the health of the reef.
CAN YOU HELP?
The two year Phase ll study will begin November 9. The Hawaiʻi State Division of Natural Resources Holomua Marine Initiative has awarded partial funding for this program. Matching Current fundraising goal is $65,000
Download the form and email to info@reefguardians.org
to volunteer!
Wanini ('Anini) Coral Reef Health
Prolonged sedimentation and high turbidity levels smother corals and lower the available UV light, blocking both photosynthesis and suspended particle feeding. This can eventually lead to population collapse.
Recent Hawaii Dept. of Aquatic Resources (DAR) reports at ‘Anini show widespread coral bleaching, overgrowth of macroalgae and cyanobacterial algal mats, low fish abundance, warmer sea surface temperatures, and high amounts of sediment.
This allows diseases to take hold, like the Black band disease outbreaks in 2012-2015 and 2019-current.
Black band coral disease killing rice coral colony in Anini Lagoon.
Healthy coral garden at Anini Lagoon.
Action Steps
In order to understand and positively influence the dynamics of ‘Anini reef and coral health conditions and watershed inputs, water testing for pollutants is underway. Our team is preparing to conduct an extensive Water Quality Testing Program. Partial funds have been received for the Phase II research from the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation / Hawaiʻi State Division of Aquatic Resources Holomua Marine Initiative. Further funding is necessary to purchase equipment and staff the water testing program. Volunteers can sign up for various roles as we gather required data for the Hawai'i State Department of Health to address pollutants affecting the lagoon. Please contribute so we can solve the pollution problems and bring back a clean, thriving lagoon ecosystem.
Your donations will make this possible! Please donate. Be a Citizen Scientist. Join us for our next community water testing training event.
Sediment pollution kills the reef.
Anini is the home and refuge for endangered species. This monk seal pup rests and finds its food in the safety of the Anini lagoon waters and beach.
Endangered Honu (Green Sea Turtle) here at home in the Anini lagoon. Even the very rare honuea (Hawksbill Sea Turtle) visit Anini Lagoon for their favorite seagrass meals.
Adequate populations of herbivores are essential for a healthy balance of coral and algae on the reef.