#maui divers

[gemville]

'Ōhi'a Lehua Pendant In 14k Yellow and Rose Gold With Greenland Rubies and Diamonds by Maui Divers

Photo Courtesy: Maui Divers

Source: jckonline.com

[sochicfinds]

[lovingazhomes]

Unforgettable Underwater Excursions

Hawaii is a diver’s paradise. With its crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and diverse marine life, Hawaii offers some of the best diving experiences in the world. From thrilling drift dives to peaceful shore dives, Hawaii has it all. In this article, we will be exploring the top 5 diving locations in Hawaii. Molokini Crater Located off the coast of Maui, Molokini Crater is a…

[blogger-theo-herbots]

Unforgettable Underwater Excursions

Hawaii is a diver’s paradise. With its crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and diverse marine life, Hawaii offers some of the best diving experiences in the world. From thrilling drift dives to peaceful shore dives, Hawaii has it all. In this article, we will be exploring the top 5 diving locations in Hawaii. Molokini Crater Located off the coast of Maui, Molokini Crater is a…

[perfectstayz]

Seamless Luxury: Perfect Stayz Redefines Hawaiian Hospitality

Introduction: Embark on an unforgettable Hawaiian adventure with vacation planning through Perfect Stayz, the No Booking Fees vacation rentals platform. Lahaina, with its historic charm, invites you to stroll down Front Street, exploring art galleries and savoring oceanfront dining. Kihei's sun-kissed beaches beckon, offering snorkeling in crystal-clear waters and vibrant nightlife. Kaanapali unveils luxury amidst natural beauty, boasting a world-renowned beach and the iconic Black Rock for mesmerizing sunsets. Perfect Stayz ensures your accommodation aligns seamlessly with your dreams, from oceanfront condos in Lahaina to cozy cottages in Kihei and lavish resorts in Kaanapali. Revel in the spirit of aloha, where each moment becomes a cherished memory in this tropical paradise.

Lahaina Historic Charm: Captivating Hawaiian Gem

Lahaina, a captivating Hawaiian gem, exudes an aura of historic charm that beckons travelers to explore its rich tapestry. Nestled on Maui's western shore, this coastal town invites wanderers to stroll along the iconic Front Street, where meticulously preserved buildings whisper tales of its whaling past. Lahaina's Banyan Tree Square provides shade for contemplation, while the Lahaina Historic Trail guides visitors through landmarks like the Baldwin Home and U.S. Seamen's Hospital. With its vibrant art scene and waterfront ambiance, Lahaina seamlessly blends nostalgia with contemporary allure, creating an enchanting atmosphere that captures the essence of Hawaii's captivating history. Indulge in Lahaina's lively arts scene, diverse dining options, and vibrant nightlife—all within arm's reach from your chosen abode.

Lahaina Hospitality: Delightful Stay

In Lahaina, experience unparalleled hospitality through Perfect Stayz, the epitome of vacation perfection. This platform seamlessly connects you with exquisite Lahaina Vacation Rentals by Owner, ensuring a personalized and delightful stay. Lahaina's warm aloha spirit is echoed in the meticulously curated accommodations, ranging from charming beachfront cottages to elegant condos. Immerse yourself in the heart of Lahaina's historic charm, as Perfect Stayz crafts an unforgettable retreat where every detail is designed for your comfort. From the moment you step into your chosen haven, a blend of Hawaiian authenticity and modern luxury awaits, creating a haven where the true essence of Lahaina's hospitality unfolds effortlessly.

Kihei: Unveils A Symphony of Beauty and Attractions

Kihei, a coastal haven on Maui, unveils a symphony of beauty and attractions that captivate every visitor's heart. This sun-kissed paradise boasts pristine beaches where turquoise waves gently caress golden shores, inviting you to indulge in water adventures or simply bask in the warmth. Kihei's vibrant coral reefs present an underwater wonderland for snorkelers and divers, while its beach parks offer picnics with a view. As the sun sets, the town's nightlife awakens, blending local charm with eclectic entertainment. Immerse yourself in the local vibe by exploring Kihei's eclectic boutiques, enjoying water sports, or savoring delectable seafood at seaside eateries—all just moments away from your home away from home.

Kihei Vacation Accommodations: A Home Away From Home

Kihei Vacation Rentals by Owner, orchestrated through Perfect Stayz, redefine the concept of a home away from home with unparalleled elegance. Nestled on Maui's sun-soaked coast, these rentals seamlessly merge comfort and convenience. From cozy beachfront cottages to modern condos, each abode is a sanctuary tailored to your desires. As you step into your chosen haven, a harmonious blend of Hawaiian warmth and contemporary amenities welcomes you. Perfect Stayz curates an experience where every detail, from the panoramic ocean views to the tasteful decor, contributes to an unforgettable stay. In Kihei, let Perfect Stayz be your guide to a vacation where the line between accommodation and home blurs into a seamless, luxurious escape.

Kaanapali: A Sought-After Destination

Kaanapali, a coveted Hawaiian destination, unfolds as an unparalleled paradise where nature's beauty and luxury seamlessly converge. Nestled on Maui's western coast, this sought-after haven boasts a world-renowned stretch of golden sand embraced by azure waters. The iconic Black Rock stands as a sentinel, inviting adventurous souls to cliff dive or witness breathtaking sunsets. Kaanapali's allure extends beyond its beaches, with upscale resorts, championship golf courses, and a lively Whalers Village offering indulgent experience. Indulge in breathtaking ocean views, lounge by private pools, and relish in the proximity to championship golf courses and upscale shopping, ensuring an opulent yet personalized Hawaiian escape.

Affordable Vacation Stay in Kaanapali

Discover an affordable haven in the luxurious embrace of Kaanapali through Perfect Stayz, where budget-friendly vacation stays become a reality without compromising on comfort. This Maui gem, renowned for opulence, opens its doors to a range of accommodations carefully curated by Perfect Stayz. Perfect Stayz ensures your stay is nothing short of extraordinary, connecting you to lavish Kaanapali Vacation Rentals by Owner that mirror the opulence of Kaanapali itself. Whether it's a cozy condo with ocean views or a comfortable cottage near the beach, your dream getaway in Kaanapali is tailored to fit your budget. Revel in the tropical allure without the strain on your wallet, as Perfect Stayz ensures a seamless connection to the beauty and extravagance of Kaanapali while prioritizing affordability. In this tropical nirvana, let Perfect Stayz be your gateway to an enchanting blend of natural wonders and refined luxury. Let your Hawaiian escape be not just memorable but also accessible, thanks to Perfect Stayz's commitment to affordable excellence.

Benefits of Perfect Stayz

Choosing Vacation Rentals by Owner through Perfect Stayz over traditional accommodations provides a myriad of advantages.

Seamless Booking Experience: Perfect Stayz offers a user-friendly platform, streamlining the booking process with ease. Navigating through a plethora of vacation rentals becomes a delightful experience, ensuring a seamless journey from selection to confirmation.

No Booking Fees: One standout advantage is the absence of booking fees. Perfect Stayz eliminates hidden costs, allowing travelers to allocate their budget directly towards accommodation, enhancing affordability and transparency.

Diverse Accommodations: With a diverse array of vacation rentals, Perfect Stayz caters to various preferences, from beachfront cottages to modern condos. This extensive selection ensures that every traveler finds the perfect sanctuary for their unique needs.

Tailored Experiences: Perfect Stayz goes beyond providing accommodations; it crafts tailored experiences. Whether it's a historic charm in Lahaina or the vibrant attractions of Kihei, the platform ensures a personalized stay reflecting the essence of each destination.

Unrivaled Customer Service: A commitment to unrivaled customer service sets Perfect Stayz apart. Prompt responses, assistance throughout the booking process, and dedicated support create a reliable and trustworthy partnership, ensuring a memorable vacation from start to finish.

Local Experiences and Activities

Indulge in authentic Hawaiian experiences across Lahaina, Kihei, and Kaanapali, each enclave offering a distinct flavor of the islands. Lahaina's Front Street beckons with historic walking tours, art galleries, and waterfront dining, immersing you in the town's rich maritime heritage. Kihei unveils its sun-soaked beaches for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sunset strolls, while its beach parks host cultural events, infusing a local touch. In Kaanapali, cliffs diving at Black Rock and championship golf courses define the landscape, harmonizing luxury with adventure. Whether savoring local cuisine, exploring historic landmarks, or partaking in water sports, these Maui destinations ensure an immersive and culturally enriching Hawaiian getaway.

Unforgettable Memory Awaits

Embrace the promise of an unforgettable Hawaiian memory as Perfect Stayz unveils a symphony of charm, luxury, and adventure. From Lahaina's historic allure to Kihei's sun-kissed beaches and Kaanapali's opulence, each destination, meticulously curated by Perfect Stayz, offers a unique canvas for your tropical escape. Let the warmth of Lahaina's hospitality, the beauty of Kihei's coral reefs, and the extravagance of Kaanapali's resorts weave an indelible tapestry of experiences. With Perfect Stayz as your guide, this isn't just a vacation; it's a seamless fusion of comfort, affordability, and tailored moments—a harmonious journey where every detail ensures an unforgettable Hawaiian rendezvous. Your paradise awaits, creating cherished memories that linger like the gentle Hawaiian breeze.

[emergencymanagementnews]

Three weeks after the Maui wildfires burned much of the town of Lahaina, U.S. Navy divers wrapped up their search for remains.

[the-mom-friend-dot-com]

For the ask game! 🖤✈️

Thank you @fictional-love-is-my-life for the ask!!🤭

🖤- i've answered this once but i'll do it with other hobbies!! I like listening to music, making Pinterest boards that i'll probably never use or look at again, and watching baseball!

✈️- my favorite place i've been to was Maui, Hawaii around May this year. Everything was so pretty and the people were so nice! we got to know some local scuba diver instructors and they were so kind and patient with us. My heart goes out to all the people who've been affected by the wildfire that happened recently 🩵

[tautahiscuba]

Aloha everyone! Monterey Bay, CA (San Carlos Beach) has so much for divers to experience, from the kelp forests, the breakwater wall, sea otters, sea lions, the cormorant birds diving next to you and all of the amazing sea life! Visibility can range from approx. 10' to 20' Ft. The depth can get to about 70' Ft. The temp can range from 54° to 60° F. Diving with a Bare Sports drysuit 50th anniversary edition model and Apeks MTX-R regulator set. Thank you for your support and please checkout our website at www.tautahiscuba.com to be apart of the relief efforts in Lahaina Maui! We are selling Lahaina Banyan Tree T's and hoodies and your purchase will go to help the community of Lahaina. We have partnered with rebuildmaui.org and other organizations who are actively working to provide temporary housing for displaced families on Maui. Thank you again!! Rebuild Maui.Org Apeks BARE

[cavenewstimes]

Navy divers are searching for victims in Maui after deadly wildfire

Read More ​ Military Times  A team of Navy divers is assisting with the relief efforts in Maui as the island recovers from massive, deadly wildfires. The three-person mobile diving salvage unit from U.S. Pacific Fleet, which arrived this week just 24 hours after the Maui Fire Department requested them, are searching for remains and conducting underwater surveying for salvage operations in Lahaina…

[mauidiveadventures]

What It's Like Scuba Diving in Maui: An Adventure You Won't Soon Forget

Maui, also known as "The Valley Isle," is the second largest island in Hawaii. Its volcanic beaches, excellent cuisine, and views of migrating humpback whales are some reasons why this island is so greatly loved. With many dive sites, such as the Honolua Bay, Maui is one of the ideal places to go scuba diving in Hawaii. 

So, how do you start your diving adventure in Maui? Stay with us as we walk you through the steps you should take.

Starting Your Diving Adventure

Maui offers awesome diving opportunities, and here are some steps you can take to start your diving adventure:

Get Certified To Scuba Dive

Getting certified is a very crucial step. You'll need to complete a certification course before diving in Maui. Several certification agencies, such as NAUI and PADI, offer certification courses. If you're a beginner, locate dive shops that offer beginner courses and can teach you the basics of diving; such as In2Scuba Diving Maui Dive Co. a local Scuba Dive shop offering scuba classes for beginners and certified divers visiting Maui.

Choose a Dive Operator 

Getting a dive operator is as important as getting certified. Maui has many operators, so choosing one shouldn't be hard. Before choosing a dive operator, doing quality research is highly important. Ask locals for recommendations and check online reviews. 

Research and Choose Dive Sites

Once you've decided on a reputable dive operator, the next step is to choose your dive sites. Choosing top dive sites requires you to do quality research to discover sites that suit your interests and experience. 

Maui offers an incredible range of dive sites; choosing a few to have great diving adventures shouldn't be too hard.

Some diving sites in Maui include Honolua Bay, Black Rock, Mala Wharf, and Molokini Crater,

Get Your Gear Ready

You may bring your own diving gear if you're a certified diver. Alternatively, Maui has dive shops where you can rent gear, including wetsuits, fins, goggles, and regulators. Reserve your gear beforehand to ensure they're available when you need them.

Anticipate and Prepare for Your Diving Adventure

Adequately plan for your transportation and accommodation while ensuring you've got your dive schedules. You may choose dive operators that offer packages that include diving and accommodation.

In Maui, meet your dive operator and ensure you follow their instructions as you plan your diving adventure. Avoid alcohol or drugs before diving, and ensure you eat a light meal. Staying hydrated is equally important.

Maui has beautiful underwater scenery that is sure to captivate you. However, when diving, always remember to stay safe and dive responsibly.

Top Diving Locations in Maui 

Home to some of the best diving locations in the world, Maui has abundant marine life and a range of underwater topography that will amaze you. Here are some great diving locations you'll find in Maui:

Honolua Bay 

Honolua Bay is one of Maui's best diving spots, located at the northernmost point in West Maui. It's a protected bay home to marine life, such as reef sharks, spinner dolphins, and green sea turtles.

The bay also has an abundance of fish and coral formations to explore. It is well known for its underwater topography, including a large archway and a lava tube.

Molokini Crater

Molokini is one of only three volcanic calderas in the world. It is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater located a few miles off Maui's shore. Molokini is Hawaii's only island marine sanctuary and a great diving and snorkeling location. Its waters are crystal clear, the marine life is diverse, and copious coral formations are just waiting to be explored.

Black Rock

Located on Maui's west shore, Black Rock is a diving site popular for its abundant marine life. It has many lava formations, and there's an outcropping of black lava rock that's excellent for cliff-diving. The waters are crystal clear, and there are many underwater caves.

Makena Landing

Makena Landing is home to many ledges and caves and a unique Maui diving site. Water depth varies between 10 and 40 feet, and the site is popular among divers and snorkeling. 

Makena Landing encompasses dive sites called Turtle Arch, Turtle Town, and 5 caves/5 graves. With a coral reef filled with diverse marine life, Makena Landing offers beautiful scenery to divers. The marine life here includes sea turtles, octopuses, and colorful tropical fish.

La Perouse Bay

La Perouse Bay is located at the southernmost end of Maui. With a water depth between 20 and 80 feet, this diving site is popular among experienced divers. La Perouse Bay is known for its unique marine life and incredible lava formations.

Mala Wharf

Sometimes called Mala Pier, Mala Wharf is located in Lahaina, on the west coast of Maui. It is one of the top diving sites in Maui, and the dive is one of the best shore dives in Hawaii. Various marine life can be found here, including turtles, rockfish, frogfish, octopuses, and the occasional ray.

Cathedrals

The Cathedrals are famous dive sites in Maui county, formed by lava tubes that create beautiful underwater "rooms" with natural light coming from all around. These two dive sites are located off the coast of Lanai and are referred to as the First Cathedral and Second Cathedral. The underwater lava formations resemble cathedral spires, hence the name. The marine life found here includes whitetip reef sharks and manta rays.

Airport Beach

Airport Beach is located on Maui's west coast. Besides having one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted sand beach in West Maui, Airport Beach is home to a great diving spot ideal for beginners. The waters are calm, and various marine life can be spotted in the shallow reefs.

Conclusion

Maui is one of the best places to visit when seeking a diving adventure. With great diving locations like Molokini Crater, Honolua Bay, Black Rock, and the others listed above, you're bound to have a blast.

However, going through the above-mentioned steps is crucial before commencing the adventure. When you've ticked all boxes, all you have to do is start your diving adventure and enjoy Maui's beautiful underwater scenery.

[in2scubadivingmaui]

We just had our most senior (86 yrs young)diver do Mala wharf today. What a trooper. Thanks Bill. Mike our instructor took him on the dive. #in2scuba #beginnerscuba #maui #mauiscuba #divemaui #scubadivingmaui #mauidiving #malawharf #scubakaanapali #scubalahaina #divinglahaina #scubalessons (at Mala Wharf) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpgw1kkrfXZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ausetkmt]

In a First, Nonprofit Buys Insurance for Hawaii’s Threatened Coral Reefs

Nov. 21, 2022Updated 6:02 p.m. ET

Climate Forward  There’s an ongoing crisis — and tons of news. Our newsletter keeps you up to date.

As climate change makes coastal storms more destructive, an environmental group is trying a new approach to protecting Hawaii’s coral reefs. It could become a model for defending natural structures around the country — if it works.

The plan involves an urgent sequence of actions that, in theory, will unfold like this:

Step 1: The Nature Conservancy, a large environmental nonprofit, takes out an insurance policy for the coral reefs surrounding the islands of Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Hawaii, despite not owning those reefs, which are on public land.

Step 2: If Hawaii experiences a storm strong enough to damage the reefs, the Nature Conservancy will get a payout from the insurance company within about two weeks. (Compared with most insurance policies, that is the approximate equivalent of light speed.)

Step 3: The Nature Conservancy will ask the state of Hawaii, which owns the reefs, for a permit to repair the storm damage. While permission isn’t guaranteed, the odds seem good considering Hawaii doesn’t have the money to do the work itself.

Step 4: If state officials say yes, the conservancy will use the insurance money to pay teams of divers to start repairing the damage. This stage most closely resembles a race: They have about six weeks, starting from the storm. After that, the broken coral dies, further shrinking Hawaii’s best protection against future storms.

On Monday, the Nature Conservancy, which is based near Washington, D.C., completed the first step and bought a $2 million insurance policy on Hawaii’s coral reefs. It is the first insurance policy in the United States for a natural structure, according to the group, following similar efforts in Latin America. The conservancy says that if the experiment is successful, it will look at expanding the model to other states and include other natural features that shield against storms, such as mangroves, wetlands or coastal dunes.

“We think we can help our Hawaii state government put this into place as a pilot project,” said Makale’a Ane, who leads community engagement and partnerships in Hawaii for the Nature Conservancy. “It’s not simple.”

As governments struggle, insurers see an opening

The Hawaii test sits at the intersection of two trends that demonstrate the difficulty of adapting to climate change. First, the effects of warming are increasingly overwhelming the ability of governments to respond, even in wealthy areas. The problem isn’t just money, but also an inability to adjust quickly enough to overlapping and evolving threats.

Coral reefs highlight that challenge. They act much like sea walls, blunting the destructive force of waves hurtling toward the shore, protecting the people, land and structures behind them. But reef repair isn’t eligible for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, even though the work to repair sea walls is. And Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources doesn’t have the budget to restore reefs damaged by storms.

“We cannot do everything,” Ryan Okano, the division’s program manager for ecosystem protection, said.

That leads to the second trend in climate adaptation: insurance companies presenting themselves as a solution, offering a suite of products that promise payouts for all sorts of calamities.

Cities and states have bought policies against hurricanes; the federal government has bought insurance against unexpectedly large flood insurance claims; wealthy countries have offered to help less developed nations buy insurance against disasters. The new insurance policy in Hawaii represents the next step in that evolution by applying insurance to a natural structure.

The Nature Conservancy can send out crews to repair the reef faster than the state can, Mr. Okano said. He added that the conservancy can raise private funds to pay for that insurance, while the state cannot.

Focusing on wind speeds

Still, it won’t be easy.

The money needs to be available quickly in order to be effective, but assessing damage to coral reefs takes time. It can take a week or more after a hurricane for waters to calm down enough for divers to even access reefs safely.

So instead of depending on a damage assessment, the insurance policy depends on the force of the winds generated by the storm, which is measured in close to real time. Under that approach, known as parametric insurance, a storm with winds of 50 knots (57 miles per hour) or greater leads to a payout.

Wind speeds reflect the force of a storm; the more forceful the storm is, the more likely it is that damage will be done to the reefs. At 50 knots, storm winds are strong enough to cause damage to the reefs, generating large waves that break off pieces of coral or knocking tree limbs and other debris into the water that do further damage.

One of the most recent storms to have winds reach that speed is Hurricane Douglas, which passed close to Oahu in July 2020, said Eric Roberts, the senior manager for climate risk and resilience at the Nature Conservancy.

A storm with lower wind speeds could still damage the reefs. But starting insurance coverage at less than 50 knots would have increased the cost of coverage. “The policy that we selected was reasonably priced,” Ms. Ane said.

While healthy coral reefs can usually bounce back after storms, today’s weakened reefs need intervention, said Robert H. Richmond, a research professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa who was not involved with the insurance effort.

In Hawaii and around the world, coral reefs have been damaged by a cascade of chronic afflictions. Overfishing reduces fish species needed to keep the ecosystem in balance. Sediment enters the water when people do things like clear land, smothering corals. Sewage causes destructive algae blooms. Most existentially, climate change threatens to make the oceans too warm and acidic for corals to survive.

Those stressors mean the reefs need help to recover after storms, Dr. Richmond said. At the same time, repairs will never be enough because they don’t address the underlying problem.

“If the reason why corals died in the first place hasn’t been fixed,” he said, “it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to stick stuff back in the water.”

A 2018 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association found that on a scale from “very good” condition to “critical” condition, Hawaii’s coral reefs were “fair,” placing them in the middle of the scale.

‘I’d rather try something and fail’

The importance of coral reefs to Hawaiians cannot be overstated, said Ekolu Lindsey, a co-founder of Polanui Hiu, a group that works to monitor and restore a reef off the coast of Maui called Nā Papalimu O Pi‘ilani.

“It’s really that foundation of life,” he said, noting that the coral polyp is the first form of life to emerge in the Kumulipo, a Hawaiian creation chant.

When the Nature Conservancy proposed the idea of reef insurance against high winds to Mr. Lindsey, he was intrigued but skeptical.

“I find it difficult to comprehend that the reef gets all busted up and you’re going to send a bunch of scuba divers down there to glue everything back,” Mr. Lindsey said.

If it did work, he wondered, what about tsunamis or swells that tumble coral reefs without high winds? Still, he didn’t see a downside.

“If we need to pilot this thing in the United States,” he said, “I’d rather try something and fail at it than not try at all.”

The Nature Conservancy has tried a similar model in other countries. In the summer of 2019, the group helped arrange insurance for a coral reef off the coast of Puerto Morelos on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Two years later, the group helped arrange a reef insurance policy for the Turneffe Atoll off the coast of Belize.

The results of those experiments were mixed. The Mexico policy generated a payout in 2020 after Hurricanes Delta struck the coast. The insurance company quickly paid the money.

But it took about a year before local officials, who were in charge of deciding how that money should be spent, released that funding, said Claudia Padilla, a researcher at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute in Mexico who was involved in repairing the reefs.

“They need to be more efficient,” Ms. Padilla said.

This month, the model got another chance. After Hurricane Lisa struck Belize on Nov. 2, it took just 12 days for the insurance money to reach the MAR Fund, a group that was created to protect the Mesoamerican Reef and is the policyholder for that insurance.

Three days later, divers were in the water starting repairs, said Claudia Ruiz, the coordinator of the fund’s Reef Rescue Initiative.

When asked if she had any advice for the project in Hawaii, Ms. Ruiz said, “Be ready in advance.”

[sciencespies]

The Nature Conservancy Buys Insurance to Protect Hawaii’s Coral Reefs

https://sciencespies.com/environment/the-nature-conservancy-buys-insurance-to-protect-hawaiis-coral-reefs/

The Nature Conservancy Buys Insurance to Protect Hawaii’s Coral Reefs

If worsening coastal storms damage the reefs, the Nature Conservancy will get a payout and use the money to repair the coral — work that state officials can’t afford to do.

As climate change makes coastal storms more destructive, an environmental group is trying a new approach to protecting Hawaii’s coral reefs. It could become a model for defending natural structures around the country — if it works.

The plan involves an urgent sequence of actions that, in theory, will unfold like this:

Step 1: The Nature Conservancy, a large environmental nonprofit, takes out an insurance policy for the coral reefs surrounding the islands of Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Hawaii, despite not owning those reefs, which are on public land.

Step 2: If Hawaii experiences a storm strong enough to damage the reefs, the Nature Conservancy will get a payout from the insurance company within about two weeks. (Compared with most insurance policies, that is the approximate equivalent of light speed.)

Step 3: The Nature Conservancy will ask the state of Hawaii, which owns the reefs, for a permit to repair the storm damage. While permission isn’t guaranteed, the odds seem good considering Hawaii doesn’t have the money to do the work itself.

Step 4: If state officials say yes, the conservancy will use the insurance money to pay teams of divers to start repairing the damage. This stage most closely resembles a race: They have about six weeks, starting from the storm. After that, the broken coral dies, further shrinking Hawaii’s best protection against future storms.

On Monday, the Nature Conservancy, which is based near Washington, D.C., completed the first step and bought a $2 million insurance policy on Hawaii’s coral reefs. It is the first insurance policy in the United States for a natural structure, according to the group, following similar efforts in Latin America. The conservancy says that if the experiment is successful, it will look at expanding the model to other states and include other natural features that shield against storms, such as mangroves, wetlands or coastal dunes.

“We think we can help our Hawaii state government put this into place as a pilot project,” said Makale’a Ane, who leads community engagement and partnerships in Hawaii for the Nature Conservancy. “It’s not simple.”

As governments struggle, insurers see an opening

A flooded gas station in Haleiwa, Hawaii, last year after heavy rains.Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Advertiser, via Associated Press

The Hawaii test sits at the intersection of two trends that demonstrate the difficulty of adapting to climate change. First, the effects of warming are increasingly overwhelming the ability of governments to respond, even in wealthy areas. The problem isn’t just money, but also an inability to adjust quickly enough to overlapping and evolving threats.

Coral reefs highlight that challenge. They act much like sea walls, blunting the destructive force of waves hurtling toward the shore, protecting the people, land and structures behind them. But reef repair isn’t eligible for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, even though the work to repair sea walls is. And Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources doesn’t have the budget to restore reefs damaged by storms.

“We cannot do everything,” Ryan Okano, the division’s program manager for ecosystem protection, said.

That leads to the second trend in climate adaptation: insurance companies presenting themselves as a solution, offering a suite of products that promise payouts for all sorts of calamities.

Cities and states have bought policies against hurricanes; the federal government has bought insurance against unexpectedly large flood insurance claims; wealthy countries have offered to help less developed nations buy insurance against disasters. The new insurance policy in Hawaii represents the next step in that evolution by applying insurance to a natural structure.

The Nature Conservancy can send out crews to repair the reef faster than the state can, Mr. Okano said. He added that the conservancy can raise private funds to pay for that insurance, while the state cannot.

Understand the Latest News on Climate Change

Card 1 of 5

A landmark deal at COP27. Diplomats from nearly 200 countries concluded two weeks of climate talks by agreeing to establish a fund that would help poor countries cope with climate disasters made worse by the greenhouse gases from wealthy nations. The deal represented a breakthrough on one of the most contentious issues at the U.N. summit in Egypt.

U.S. midterm elections. The Democrats’ strong showing essentially ensures that President Biden’s signature climate change law will be fully implemented despite threats from some Republicans to block or undo it, though they’re likely to use their narrow House majority to try to slow it. Here are five main climate-related results from the midterm elections.

Tracking polluters. Climate TRACE, a nonprofit backed by Al Gore and other big environmental donors, is scouring data from satellites to track emissions down to individual power plants, oil fields and cargo ships. The group has cataloged 72,612 emitters and counting, creating a hyperlocal atlas of the human activities that are altering the planet’s chemistry.

U.S. climate threats. The effects of climate change are already “far-reaching and worsening” throughout the United States, posing risks to virtually every aspect of society, according to a draft report being circulated by the federal government. The United States has warmed 68 percent faster than Earth as a whole over the past 50 years, the draft report said.

A new response to rising seas. Consigned to marginal land more than a century ago by the U.S. government, some Native American tribes are trying to move to areas that are better protected from high water and extreme weather. In response, the Biden administration has created a program designed to help relocate communities threatened by climate change.

Focusing on wind speeds

A satellite view of Hurricane Douglas approaching the Hawaiian Islands in July 2020.NOAA, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Still, it won’t be easy.

The money needs to be available quickly in order to be effective, but assessing damage to coral reefs takes time. It can take a week or more after a hurricane for waters to calm down enough for divers to even access reefs safely.

So instead of depending on a damage assessment, the insurance policy depends on the force of the winds generated by the storm, which is measured in close to real time. Under that approach, known as parametric insurance, a storm with winds of 50 knots (57 miles per hour) or greater leads to a payout.

Wind speeds reflect the force of a storm; the more forceful the storm is, the more likely it is that damage will be done to the reefs. At 50 knots, storm winds are strong enough to cause damage to the reefs, generating large waves that break off pieces of coral or knocking tree limbs and other debris into the water that do further damage.

One of the most recent storms to have winds reach that speed is Hurricane Douglas, which passed close to Oahu in July 2020, said Eric Roberts, the senior manager for climate risk and resilience at the Nature Conservancy.

A storm with lower wind speeds could still damage the reefs. But starting insurance coverage at less than 50 knots would have increased the cost of coverage. “The policy that we selected was reasonably priced,” Ms. Ane said.

Sediment smothering coral off the Hawaiian island of Lanai after a heavy rainstorm.Ku’Ulei Rodgers/University of Hawaii, via Associated Press

While healthy coral reefs can usually bounce back after storms, today’s weakened reefs need intervention, said Robert H. Richmond, a research professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa who was not involved with the insurance effort.

In Hawaii and around the world, coral reefs have been damaged by a cascade of chronic afflictions. Overfishing reduces fish species needed to keep the ecosystem in balance. Sediment enters the water when people do things like clear land, smothering corals. Sewage causes destructive algae blooms. Most existentially, climate change threatens to make the oceans too warm and acidic for corals to survive.

Those stressors mean the reefs need help to recover after storms, Dr. Richmond said. At the same time, repairs will never be enough because they don’t address the underlying problem.

“If the reason why corals died in the first place hasn’t been fixed,” he said, “it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to stick stuff back in the water.”

A 2018 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association found that on a scale from “very good” condition to “critical” condition, Hawaii’s coral reefs were “fair,” placing them in the middle of the scale.

‘I’d rather try something and fail’

Volunteers working to repair the damaged coral of the Mesoamerican Reef in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.Daniel Berehulak for The New York Times

The importance of coral reefs to Hawaiians cannot be overstated, said Ekolu Lindsey, a co-founder of Polanui Hiu, a group that works to monitor and restore a reef off the coast of Maui called Nā Papalimu O Pi‘ilani.

“It’s really that foundation of life,” he said, noting that the coral polyp is the first form of life to emerge in the Kumulipo, a Hawaiian creation chant.

When the Nature Conservancy proposed the idea of reef insurance against high winds to Mr. Lindsey, he was intrigued but skeptical.

“I find it difficult to comprehend that the reef gets all busted up and you’re going to send a bunch of scuba divers down there to glue everything back,” Mr. Lindsey said.

If it did work, he wondered, what about tsunamis or swells that tumble coral reefs without high winds? Still, he didn’t see a downside.

“If we need to pilot this thing in the United States,” he said, “I’d rather try something and fail at it than not try at all.”

The Nature Conservancy has tried a similar model in other countries. In the summer of 2019, the group helped arrange insurance for a coral reef off the coast of Puerto Morelos on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Two years later, the group helped arrange a reef insurance policy for the Turneffe Atoll off the coast of Belize.

The results of those experiments were mixed. The Mexico policy generated a payout in 2020 after Hurricane Delta struck the coast. The insurance company quickly paid the money.

But it took about a year before local officials, who were in charge of deciding how that money should be spent, released that funding, said Claudia Padilla, a researcher at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute in Mexico who was involved in repairing the reefs.

“They need to be more efficient,” Ms. Padilla said.

This month, the model got another chance. After Hurricane Lisa struck Belize on Nov. 2, it took just 12 days for the insurance money to reach the MAR Fund, a group that was created to protect the Mesoamerican Reef and is the policyholder for that insurance.

Three days later, divers were in the water starting repairs, said Claudia Ruiz, the coordinator of the fund’s Reef Rescue Initiative.

When asked if she had any advice for the project in Hawaii, Ms. Ruiz said, “Be ready in advance.”

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Best things to do in Hawaii with family

Hawaii is unique among all other states in the union. The Hawaiian Islands consistently rank high on family travelers lists for good reason. Family vacations to Hawaii are fantastic!

Despite Hawaii's status as one of the most picturesque places on earth, there is a tonne of enjoyable activities to enjoy there. After stepping off an airplane and onto Hawaiian soil, what should a family do? We've listed our top ten family-friendly activities in Hawaii below.

Kohala Canopy Adventure

The excitement of ziplining at Kohala Canopy Adventure is great for families. The combination of nine lines, five sky bridges, and a rappel within a forested nature reserve should appeal to active and adventurous people of all ages. The action begins with an off-road transfer to the summit station in an open-air, all-terrain Pinzgauer truck, which was initially created for the Swiss military.

The effort involved in traveling between lines is eliminated using tree-to-tree zipping. Even novices ought to be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery as they travel through the canopy at up to 45 mph after a few practices runs.

 Maui airplane tour

The nicest views of the island may undoubtedly be had in the most thrilling manner possible!

Some skilled pilots will take you on your private tour without requiring you to have any prior flying experience. If you're lucky, they might even let you take control for a little period.

Visitors will not only be able to appreciate the island's natural beauty from the air, but the pilot will also provide interesting facts about the region's geology and culture as they fly and you can check cheap flights from Hawaii.

spearfishing

To go spearfishing in Maui, you don't need any prior expertise because the local experts will teach you all you need to know! Visitors will also learn proper breathing methods from professional divers.

It's important to note that only fish that are regarded as invasive species to Mau are caught on these spearfishing excursions.

the Maui Ocean Center

While you can see some marine life on Maui while visiting the island, the Maui Ocean Center is the finest place to learn about all of these magnificent species.

A live coral reef, a turtle lagoon featuring the renowned Hawaiian green sea turtles, and a 35-foot tunnel with sharks swimming freely above are a few of their attractions.

shark cage diving tour

Swimming with sharks (while in a cage, of course) is one of the coolest things to do in Hawaii if you enjoy taking risks.

Is this something you're willing to risk? Only the most daring of visitors have what it takes to get up close to these magnificent (and terrifying) beasts.

Hawaii Army Museum Society

A gallery of heroes, exhibitions on Hawaiian combat, Hawaii's Japanese Americans, the Vietnam War, and a wealth of other topics are all covered in the exhibits of the Hawaii Army Museum Society. It's the ideal location to learn about the island's history and interesting information that you probably wouldn't have known otherwise.