Nā Kiaʻi Koʻa
O Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi Coral Restoration Diver Program
Hoʻomalu Ke Kai and the Kauaʻi Coral Restoration Nursery are proud to launch Nā Kiaʻi Koʻa O Kauaʻi – Kauaʻi Coral Restoration Diver Program, a new community-based training initiative designed to develop the next generation of coral reef stewards on Kauaʻi.
This program provides scholarshipped dive training, coral restoration education, and hands-on field experience for community members who want to help protect and restore Kauaʻi’s reefs.
Participants will gain practical skills supporting coral nursery operations, reef restoration, marine debris removal, and emergency reef response efforts across the island.
Graduates of the program become Kiaʻi Koʻa Divers — trained reef guardians ready to support the protection and restoration of Kauaʻi’s coral ecosystems.
Program Overview
Through this program, selected participants will receive training in:
• SCUBA Open Water Certification
• Advanced Open Water Certification
• Rescue Diver Certification
• Scientific Diver preparation (AAUS pathway)
• Coral restoration techniques
• Coral nursery operations
• Marine debris removal diving
• Plastic upcycling and circular economy training
• Hawaiʻi Emergency Reef Response methodology
Participants will also gain hands-on experience supporting the Kauaʻi Coral Restoration Nursery at Nōmilu Loko Iʻaand contributing to ongoing reef restoration work across Kauaʻi.
Program Cohorts
Two training cohorts will take place in 2026.
Participant Commitment
Participants will commit to approximately 10 hours per week of training and service activities throughout the program.
These activities may include:
• Dive training sessions
• Coral nursery workdays
• Reef restoration fieldwork
• Marine debris removal and ocean cleanups
• Plastic upcycling training
• Emergency reef response exercises
• Community outreach and education
Eligibility
Applicants must:
• Be 16 years or older
• Be a resident of Kauaʻi
• Be comfortable swimming in the ocean
• Be able to complete dive medical clearance
• Be able to commit to the program schedule
No previous diving experience is required.
Applications are now open for the Nā Kiaʻi Koʻa o Kauaʻi Diver Program.If you are passionate about protecting our reefs and interested in gaining hands-on experience in coral restoration and ocean stewardship, we encourage you to apply.Applications will be reviewed by the Hoʻomalu Ke Kai team and program partners.
Building Kauaʻi’s Coral Restoration Workforce
Nā Kiaʻi Koʻa O Kauaʻi represents an important step toward building local capacity for coral reef restoration on Kauaʻi.By training community members as coral restoration divers, this program helps expand the island’s ability to respond to reef damage events, support long-term restoration work, and protect the ecosystems that sustain our island.Together we are growing the next generation of Kiaʻi Koʻa — guardians of Kauaʻi’s coral reefs.
Program Partners
Nā Kiaʻi Koʻa O Kauaʻi is made possible through the collaboration and support of many organizations and community partners working together to strengthen coral restoration capacity on Kauaʻi.
Hoʻomalu Ke Kai is grateful to work alongside partners including:
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County of Kauaʻi Office of Economic Development Innovation Grant Program, supporting the launch of this workforce training initiative
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Division of Aquatic Resources, providing guidance and partnership for coral restoration and reef stewardship
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Kauaʻi Sea Farm, host of the Kauaʻi Coral Restoration Nursery at Nōmilu
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The Hawaiʻi Emergency Reef Response Network, helping expand training and readiness for coral reef emergency response across Hawaiʻi
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The Nature Conservancy Hawaiʻi, supporting coral restoration collaboration and reef resilience initiatives
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Kuleana Coral, leaders in in-situ coral restoration and active partners in advancing restoration techniques across Hawaiʻi
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Hawaiʻi Coral Restoration Nursery and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology Coral Resilience Lab, whose research and restoration methodologies inform coral recovery efforts across Hawaiʻi
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So many community partners, educators, and volunteers who continue to support reef restoration and stewardship on Kauaʻi
Together, these partnerships help grow the next generation of Kiaʻi Koʻa — guardians of Kauaʻi’s coral reefs.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
