Restoring the Ocean from a Single Coral

A Kilo Kai student works with a small coral to create tiny tissue pieces called explants—each capable of becoming a new coral. Some are cryopreserved to protect their genetic future, while others are grown into young colonies for reef restoration. From a single coral, many new corals can emerge, accelerating recovery that would take decades in nature. This work blends Indigenous knowledge with modern science, reflecting a deeper commitment: not just saving reefs, but regenerating them. For The Next 200, it represents a future where our oceans—and the communities connected to them—thrive for generations to come.