This antler coral, Pocillopora grandis, was damaged on July 31, 2025, probably from the spalling concrete from the first dolphin pier in Kawaihae Harbor.
A large concrete slab spalled, probably a few days before July 31, 2025. Nearly half of the antler coral was broken when the concrete hit it. A colony of Porites lobata was also dislodged. The broken pieces were relocated westward on the holes of the reef nearby.
Damaged Area, 07.31.2025
At the break, the recovery process is progressing well as polyps are populating the surface, 2025.09.13.
The coral was damaged, but within a month and a half, the polyps started to form new habitats, which is promising. I also observed similar damage and recovery in another Antler coral colony at Dolphin Pier Number Two (see here). There, the coral might have been harmed by the USACE survey crew’s boat on March 18, 2025 ( see here).
At this spot, I moved the broken pieces, hoping the coral would survive and recover, since I saw how the other Antler coral piece recovered after being securely wedged back into its original position.
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