Kauai’s coral reefs are current experiencing an unprecedented bacterial infection that is killing the coral at an alarming rate. The USGS and University of Manoa flew out to assess the situation and took core samples for DNA analysis. The videos below, narrated by Terry Lilley outline the extent and advance of this disease as well as the harmful effects on the green sea turtles that inhabit the reef systems.

The Hanalei River Heritage Foundation funds the work of biologist Terry Lilley through donations using the button at right. In addition to funding to monitor the reef health, we need actual bodies in the water to help with the assessment.