West Hawai’i Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Ecosystem Status Report

West Hawai‘i is home to a dynamic and productive marine ecosystem. Economic and socio-cultural value is provided to residents through numerous ecosystem services, such as commercial and non-commercial fishing, cultural and traditional practices, recreation, tourism, and coastal protection. However, ecological communities across West Hawai‘i—particularly, coral reefs—have suffered recent and unprecedented declines. Marine ecosystem degradation can compromise underlying ecosystem functions and processes and undermine the numerous goods, services, and benefits upon which local communities depend.