HISTORY
John K. Kalili founded the “John K. Kalili Haleiwa Surf Center” in 1976 which started the popularity of this beach being a popular surf spot. The beach right next to it on the left by the Hong Gong Ji is a popular diving and snorkeling location making it a tourist destination. The entire beach covers 19 acres of land and it is the westernmost lifeguarded beach.
WHAT IS CORAL BLEACHING?
Coral bleaching is caused when the zooxanthellae, a microscopic algae is expelled from the coral in times of distress. They provide 90% of the corals energy and a coral can only last a week without the zooxanthellae or it dies. Times of distress include increased water temperatures, or sediment buildup which prevents the zooxanthellae from performing photosynthesis. The zooxanthellae give the coral its pigment so once it is extracted it leaves the coral a bleached white color. When the coral dies it stays this color and slowly decays away.