The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is now and has always been reveled for its beautiful, serene surroundings. It is home to some of the most colorful, unique marine life in the world, and because of its declaration as Hawaii's first Marine Life Conservation District, getting an up close and personal encounter with some of this marine life is a reality that is experienced in very few places worldwide.

Although this was one of the newest bays formed on the island it is full of history. A number of local legends surround this bay that was favored by royal Hawaiian families for its fishing grounds.

Over the years Hanauma Bay's popularity grew to gigantic proportions. It was not just popular among residents but became a must see visitor destination when visiting the island of Oahu. During peak periods, the nature preserve saw as many as 10,000 visitors each day. The bay was becoming heavy impacted by overuse and a lack of knowledge of how to protect such a pristine reef ecosystem. The city and county of Honolulu and a grassroots organization consisting of concerned citizens (The Friends of Hanauma Bay) decided something needed to be done in order to protect this national treasure. To alleviate some of the problems an education program and restrictions were put into place. The University of Hawaii's Sea Grant Extension Service was contracted out to administer a top notch education program. As a result of these measures the numbers of visitors dropped to 3,000 - 3,500 visitors daily. The visitors coming to the nature preserve were also becoming more knowledgeable in ways to protect the unique environment they had come to appreciate. The bay started to show signs of recovery and now is one of the premier snorkeling spots in the main Hawaiian Islands.

The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has a lot more to offer than just fascinating marine life , it was formed through geological activity and as a result has lots to offer in the way of Geology. The Hawaiian Islands also have many unique species of Coastal Plants, and happens to be home to many migrating species of birds. The education program and staff at Hanauma Bay are quite knowledgeable in all these areas. For more information regarding programs of this nature offered by the education program please see Programs offered at Hanauma Bay.

Remember when visiting Hanauma Bay that even though the bay looks sheltered and benign you are entering an ocean, and with it comes all sorts of hazards including biological, and physical such as waves, and currents. For information on ocean conditions at Hanauma Bay. Remember being aware of the conditions around you is the best preventative measure and will also ensure a wonderful experience at the bay.

Safety

Although having fun is everyone's number one priority when visiting the Bay, please keep in mind that potential hazards do exist. Here are a few safety tips:

• be aware of ocean conditions before heading out into the water
  
• "Just look & don't touch." Most critters will not harm you unless you threaten or touch it. There are several hazardous marine organisms that inhabit the Bay, some even live in shallow waters. These organisms include, Portuguese Man-of-War, box jellies, sea urchins, fire worms, cone snails, surgeonfish and scorpionfish. The reef itself can be very sharp!
  
• Read and obey all beach safety signs and symbols posted by the lifeguards
  
• Be wary of the jellies! Box jellies are known to sometimes invade south facing beaches 8-10 days after a full moon. Signs are usually posted during this time. Some individuals may be allergic to box jelly stings and go into anaphylactic shock.
  
• Stay hydrated! Drink lots of water when spending extended periods in the sun. People even perspire when snorkeling or swimming in the water!
  
• Protect yourself from the sun! Wear waterproof sunscreen SPF 15 or greater. Wear a hat, wear shades, and cover up.

© 2003-2004 Hanauma Bay Education Program, University of Hawaii Sea Grant Extension Service
100 Hanauma Bay Road ~ Honolulu, HI 96825 ~ Ph: (808) 397-5840 ~ E-mail: hanauma@hawaii.edu

Last updated March 17, 2008
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