Makai Watch is a partnership program of The Nature Conservancy, Mālama Hawai`i, Mālama Maunalua, Community Conservation Network, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, Sea Grant, Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, and numerous community organizations and individuals.

Modeled after the successful Neighborhood Watch program, in which community members act as the "eyes and ears" for law enforcement, Makai Watch provides local communities concerned with the health of our nearshore marine resources the opportunity to become directly involved in their protection. There are three components of Makai Watch:

• Awareness Raising and Outreach: Makai Watch participants provide ocean users with information about marine ecology, culture, history, regulations, safety, and appropriate behavior.
  
• Biological and Human-Use Monitoring: Makai Watch participants collect information on the human use of marine resources (fishing, kayaking, collecting, etc.) and on the biological condition of those resources. Ongoing monitoring allows communities to gauge the success of their project. Increased numbers of fish or improved coral health are strong indicators that their efforts are effecting positive change.
  
• Observation and Compliance: Makai Watch participants observe the area, encourage users to learn and obey area regulations, and identity and report illegal activities to state enforcement officers.

Makai Watch is a part of community conservation efforts expanding across the state:

O`ahu: 

Maunalua Bay

Pupukea

 

Hawai`i Island:

Ho`okena

Miloli`i

Puakō

 

Kaua`i:

Ha`ena

 

Maui: 

`Ahihi-Kina`u

Read a press release about the Makai Watch community-based monitoring program.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): © Andrea Charuk (community volunteers at alien algae cleanup at Maunalua Bay, O'ahu).