My name is Terry Hunt, co-founder of the American Reef Coalition.  That Jacques Cousteau quote is so true..."People protect what they love".  Take Steve Irwin's passion for wildlife conservation as an example.  You would think that everyone would be passionate about saving our planet... as it’s the only one we have.    

I had an experience many years ago that made me think about Planet Earth in a whole new way.  I was sailing a large commercial catamaran in the channel between the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Molokai.  I suddenly lost steering due to a broken link in the steering chain.  We were 3 miles offshore and about 15 miles from our mooring.  I dropped sails, started the engines and steered using counter rotating propellers.  Ten minutes later the starboard engine died.  I had a crewman check, and the starboard engine was underwater.  The starboard hull was slowly sinking with water coming in from where the propeller shaft exited the hull.  That was only part of the problem.  The engine room bilge pump was not working so the water coming in, wasn't being pumped out.  I put one crewman on the task of bailing out the starboard hull and placed another crewman on the port side rudder steering bolt with a large wrench to aid in steering.  I raised sails again and my third and last crewman I assigned the task of trimming sails and calming our passengers.  With all of us working together at different tasks, we were able to make it safely back to the mooring.    

The Hawaiians have a saying; "live like you're in a canoe".  I never really understood the message behind the saying until after this experience had set in.      

Now imagine we are all on the same boat.  This one is called "Planet Earth" and we all need to realize that our boat is sinking and we've lost directional control. 

What task will you take to help save our planet?  It's much too easy to get overwhelmed these days with all the wildlife and environmental conservation issues.  Which only makes it more difficult to choose a cause.  So... if you want to help save our planet, you need to choose your battles, then drill down to one or two specific projects that you can be involved in some way to make a difference.  Naturally, it would help if it were something you were passionate about.   
    
It really all starts with education.  Watching news, documentaries and updates on wildlife and environmental issues and becoming aware is an important first step.  We created American Reef Coalition to be the "next step".  The vehicle thru which we can make a difference and give everyone the opportunity to participate.  Much like Steve Irwin's tactic with wildlife conservation, only with our "Crew Membership", you have the opportunity to physically be involved.    

Be part of the solution.  Come to Maui, join us as a Crew Member.  Not only will you learn about the problems our oceans are facing, you will physically be involved in solving these problems.  If you can’t join us physically, you can participate by donating to the cause.  Without your donations, none of our work would be possible.