Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Project
Sharing progress through Stewardship and Aloha.
Comprising of 60 engineered concrete structures, this innovative reef system is precisely designed to absorb wave energy while fostering thriving marine habitats. Operating as a “living breakwater,” this pilot project serves as a scalable model for coastal protection that can be replicated across other regions vulnerable to erosion.
A large catamaran carries the multi-ton reef units out to sea and sets them on the ocean floor.
In wave-tank tests on scale models, the structures took 80 to 90 percent of the energy out of incoming waves. This is the first real-world test.
Crevices give young coral places to settle and hide. An underwater speaker plays the sounds of a healthy reef to help attract them.
These devices will monitor both structural health and environmental impact. The attached devices will measure physical strain and water velocities. Additionally, seafloor sensors around the array will track surface waves and currents.
| Instrument | Purpose | Employment method | Deployment time | Responsible party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) | Measure surface waves and currents | Mounted to seabed | 6 months | United States Geological Survey |
 Pressure sensors (6) | Collect wave power data | Mounted to RMS | 6 months | United States Geological Survey |
 Water quality sonde (CTD) | Measure salinity, temperature, and turbidity | Mounted to seabed | 6 months | United States Geological Survey |
Hoʻōla Hāniʻo is the community-driven partner on the project. We conduct limu surveys, support coral restoration, and provide cultural and marine monitoring as part of the Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Monitoring Hui, which brings together researchers, agency representatives, community groups and cultural practitioners.
Our job is to make sure place-based knowledge shapes how the reef is deployed, maintained and monitored, and that the families of this coast stay informed every step of the way.
To integrate place-based knowledge and community stewardship into the deployment, maintenance, and monitoring of the Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Structures. To achieve this, the initiative will provide rigorous marine monitoring during all in-water project activities while actively strengthening the relationship between the project, the Honokai Hale community, and the natural resources of the Hāniʻo and Kalaeloa area.
Furthermore, the work will proactively identify implementation concerns to recommend effective avoidance, minimization, or stewardship measures. Ultimately, this effort will cultivate meaningful community engagement and establish place-based educational opportunities for local youth and community groups, focusing on the marine environment and coastal resilience.
Coverage of the Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Project.
