LIHU‘E — After suffering a heart attack Feb. 27 while snorkeling at ‘Anini Reef, marine biologist Terry Lilley said he is lucky to be alive to continue his study of Kaua‘i’s diseased coral reefs. Lilley will share his findings during
LIHU‘E — After suffering a heart attack Feb. 27 while snorkeling at ‘Anini Reef, marine biologist Terry Lilley said he is lucky to be alive to continue his study of Kaua‘i’s diseased coral reefs.
Lilley will share his findings during White Coral Disease: New Threat to Kaua‘i’s Reefs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Princeville Public Library. The free event is sponsored by Friends of the North Shore Library at Princeville, as part of the Dotty Nakea Memorial Speaker Program, along with the Princeville Public Library.
Using underwater photos and videos, Lilley will describe the white coral disease, a bacteriological outbreak that is rapidly killing live corals on Kaua‘i’s North Shore from Tunnels to ‘Anini, and even as far south as Ahukini Landing in Lihu‘e, according to a release for the event.
“For the first time ever you will get to see this disease close up and personal like I have been doing for two years scuba diving,” Lilley wrote in a March 8 email. “You will get to see how it is eating up our reefs at alarming speed and come to understand how dangerous this is to our future as surfers, divers, swimmers and tourists. You will get to see how many corals are infected and dying right now all along the North Shore, and where they are located.”
Lilley said he will show where the disease is most concentrated, explain how it is impacting the health of our reefs, marine life and people, and discuss possible causes and cures.
“Find out how each person on Kaua‘i can help in curing this major reef problem,” Lilley wrote. “On the positive side, you will see for the first time video of the amazing creatures that live below the surf in Hanalei Bay, and come to understand why we need to protect their environment.”
Lilley is a Hanalei resident who has photographed and studied Kaua‘i’s reefs for more than 15 years.
For more information contact the Princeville Public Library at 826-4310 or visit www.princevillelibrary.com. The library is located at 4343 Emmalani Drive.
