The Kohala Center

What We Do

Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center is a partnership between The Kohala Center and the County of Hawai‘i to revive and revitalize Kahalu‘u Bay and Beach Park. Rich in historical, cultural, and environmental treasures, Kahalu‘u Bay welcomes more than 400,000 visitors annually, making it West Hawai‘i’s most popular tourist destination.  As visitor traffic increases, educating visitors on proper reef etiquette and ecosystem stewardship is critical to the bay’s survival and the region’s economic health. Through volunteer-driven educational programs such as ReefTeach and Citizen Science, Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center promotes and measures the positive impacts of environmental stewardship to ensure the bay remains a healthy and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.

Who We Are

Founded in the year 2000, The Kohala Center is an independent, community-based nonprofit focused on research, education, and ‘āina stewardship for healthier ecosystems. By turning ancestral knowledge and research into daily practice, we cultivate conditions that reconnect us with our place, water, food, and people, so that communities in Hawai‘i and around the world can thrive—ecologically, culturally, economically, and socially.

Cause Areas

Animals, Environmental Conservation, Cultural Preservation, Education & Training, Advocacy, Non Profit Support