Friday, October 21, 2005
Stop # 4
Mokupapapa Discovery Center for Hawaii's Coral Reefs
National Oceanic and Atomospheric Adminstration (NOAA)
This museum in downtown Hilo is dedicated to the coral reefs of Hawaii and is run by NOAA. The Hawaiian Islands are home to about 7,000 species of marine life, about 25% of which is endemic to the islands, meaning they do not exist anywhere else on Earth.
The northwestern Hawaiian Islands, beyond the eight main islands, are protected because they are crucial habitat for marine life. These areas are nesting grounds for endangered green sea turtles and habitat for endangered Hawaiian monk seals, as well as other species.
Even though these areas are protected, they are still threatened by pollution and garbage in the ocean.
Outside the Discovery Center
An exhibit inside the center
Ashley looking at an aquarium
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are one of the only predator dominated reef systems in the world. This chart compares the biomass of the main and northwestern islands' reefs.