Guardian of the Reefs | May 2016 Kauaʻi Traveler

by Alisha Chauhan (partial article below)

One of Hawaiʻi’s most respected marine biologists, Terry Lilley, has been at one with the sea since he could speak. He learned to surf at two, spearfish at four and was diving with sharks and making marine movies by the age of ten. After completing his marine biology degree, he traveled the world as a professional surfer studying both reptiles and marine life. His passion for the ocean trumped his love of reptiles as he traded his once world-famous captive reptile breeding zoo to creating an underwater movie series that was aired around the world for schools and non-profit organizations. This led him to Kauaʻi where he shot underwater video of the coral reefs and its complex, colorful ecosystem. 

As I walk towards the majestic beauty of Hanalei Bay to interview Terry, I see incoming waves that shine lipo (a deep blue-black) contrasting with dark teal. The waves roll forth, feathering from afar, tumbling to shore, breaking into white water on the sand. Waves crash to mist on the guarding pali (hills), praising their leaves and trees. The mist filters rays of sunset through lavender-tinged clouds. Interestingly, it is the hidden coral that are integral to the creation of this enchanting scene unfolding before me. 

The ancient Hawaiians revered koʻa (coral) and it is said the coral polyp is the first creature in Hawaiian creation according to the Kumulipo, Hawaiian creation chant. The coral and coral reefs are much like humans and our communities. Individual coral polyps eject calcium carbonate structures to ground themselves as they seek others to build collectives  to grow into a reef community. Coral reefs create a drag on the underside of a wave causing it to break—expending its energy onto the reef instead of the beach. 

Terry Lilley spends his days and nights in and on the ocean—studying, monitoring and working to protect marine life, namely the state of the coral reefs. His devotion to ocean life stems from knowing that the protection and maintenance of coral reefs is central to the health of the planet and humanity. 

Q. What is the importance of the coral reefs to the oceans and people’s way of life? 

A. Coral reefs are the baby farms for our oceans’ marine life. Baby fish and other sea creatures feed on the living coral and use it as a hiding place to keep from being eaten by predators. Live coral is a very important part of the ecosystem. Corals also protect the coastline from excess erosion. Corals drag on the underside of waves making the wave break. Without corals, the wave energy would hit the beach and rip off the sand causing coastal homes to fall into the sea. A healthy coral reef not only supplies us with food, but also creates a billion dollars a year tourist industry for surfers, divers, snorkelers and the local business community. Even a reduction of 30 percent of our coral reefs will be devastating to our long-term health and economy. 

To learn more, visit ReefGuardiansHawaii.org.