HONOLULU, Hawaii (Island News) -- Two Hawaii firefighters and a scientist are behind a Hawaii initiative to build coral reefs, and they are featured in a new documentary.
Kuleana Coral Restoration gives broken, damaged coral a second chance at life through a structure called a reef star.
The reef star is made of rebar and covered in local sand. Broken, but not yet dead pieces of coral are then tied to the poles and placed back into the ocean to grow and sustain marine life.
Two Hawaii firefighters and a scientist are behind a Hawaii initiative to build coral reefs, and they are featured in a new documentary 'Reef Builders' available on Amazon Prime.
"People, communities rely on these coral structures for different reasons, right, whether it's food, sustainability, economically and also it provides protection for our homes, and our roads, which is very essential," said Kuleana training instructor Kapono Kaluhiokalani.
Kaluhiokalani said he grew up fishing the islands, after seeing the abundance dwindle year after year, he and his friend Alika Garcia decided to change the fate of coral native to Hawaii.
Hawaii is not the founder of the reef star method, but rather the most recent ocean community to place these structures on the ocean floor.
'Reef Builders' a documentary presented by Sheba, and Mars Sustainable Solutions which showcases how the reef star has transformed coral reefs for the past 15 years in countries around the globe.
"You're going to see the story about people from Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and, of course, here in Hawaii, on how, while we're very, very different, that we all we're all facing the same challenges and that we really need to come together to do it. And to me, this documentary tells that story of the people and us coming together to solve problems," Kuleana executive director Alika Garcia said.
"I want to be able to be a kupuna and look back and say, Amen, it wasn't as abundant, but through our through our work and through our partnerships, we're able to be part of the solution, and it's better now than it was back in the day," Kaluhiokalani said.
Hawaii Actress Auli'i Cravalho is an associated producer on the film and is featured working with Kuleana Coral Restoration to build and install the first reef stars.
"I knew that this was such an important story," Cravalho told Island News. "I care very deeply about our oceans, but I recognize that for those who don't grow up on an island or in a coastal community, people won't understand how important coral reefs are. I'm a big champion for coral reefs, but there is something about being behind the camera and helping set the tone and helping to shine the light on other people telling and important story, like the great people of Kuleana, but also great individuals from Kenya and off the coast of Australia. Everyone deserved to have their flowers in this documentary of 'Reef Builders', and so I was really, really grateful to be a part of it."
At a special Hawaii premiere Monday night in Ko'Olina, Cravalho and the crew celebrated the release.
"I do not have a a degree in science, and for so long I think that restoration has been kind of dominated by the scientific community. But what I don't have in a scientific background, I make up for in excitement and passion and love for my community and for our oceans. And I hope that others realize that this space is open to all of us," Cravalho said.
'Reef Builders' is out now on Amazon Prime. Amazon has pledged $1 to the Kuleana Coral Restoration for each stream in the United States between now and June 29.
"If you can just stream it on the background while you're watching the kids, if you can stream it at work on your phone, while you you know, you do the work, but like if you just do that small little thing, that funds get given directly to Kuleana Coral so they can continue their restoration efforts and keep doing the incredible work that they already are committing to," Cravalho said.
Learn more about Kuleana Coral Restoration here.
