For Hawaiians of old, the 'aina did not stop at the shoreline. It continued into the nearshore coral reefs, which provided food, recreation and protection. The reefs were an integral part of life, and caring for them was a matter of economic survival.

It still is.

But for most of us today, coral reefs are an afterthought of everyday living. We no longer depend on reef fish for food; we can't buy reefs, build condos on them or harvest them. They are comparable to, say, an Ecuadoran rain forest.

But whether we use them or not, we still depend on them.

Healthy, fish-filled reefs attract millions of dollars in recreational activity, primarily from tourists bearing snorkels. Reefs create underwater profiles that help generate big waves for surfing. Residue from reefs builds our white sandy beaches. And the 410,000 acres of living reef around the main Hawaiian islands form a protective barrier, blunting the ocean's fury.

Yesterday at the state Capitol, the state and other groups launched The International Year of the Reef in Hawai'i. Their goal: To educate people about the importance of the reefs and how to protect them.

It's primarily human activity — pollution, sediment runoff, overfishing and anchoring or walking on corals — that has caused the most damage. So human activity can help turn the tide. To learn more, visit www.iyor-hawaii.org. Because when we protect the reefs, we protect ourselves.