Mayor Charmaine Tavares issued a proclamation last month for the special year at a ceremony at the Maui Ocean Center which was coordinated by Ola Na Papa I Pulama ia, "Cherish the Living Reefs," a community task force spearheaded by the mayor's office and County Environmental Coordinator Kuhea Paracuelles.

"It's extremely important that our coral reef ecosystems are kept healthy, since Hawaii's reefs are home to over 7,000 species, some of which are not found anywhere else on earth," said Tavares in a news release.

"Educating our visitors and residents is important, and this task force is one way to spread the word on how everyone can do their part to minimize their impact on coral reefs."

Visitors and locals alike will be educated through the "Respecting Coral Reefs" signage program that has been in the works for more than a year. It was developed with the help of Liz Foote and Project S.E.A.-Link, the Coral Reef Alliance, Maui Land & Pineapple Co., and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources.

The color signs will be installed in February at Honolua Bay, Kapalua Bay, Black Rock, Kaanapali Beach, Lahaina Harbor, Olowalu, Ulua Beach, Wailea Beach, Makena Landing and the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve.

The information on the signs is applicable at beaches across the state.

Foote said the group is looking for sponsors who would like to put up the colorful and durable interpretive sign, which costs $1,600.

She said sponsors' names can be included on the signs. For information call Foote at 669-9062.

The signs will teach beachgoers how to respect and help protect the delicate coral reef ecosystem.

The county will be supporting Pacific Whale Foundation's "Butts off the Beach" awareness campaign that educates smokers about cigarette butt litter through eye-catching ads, public service announcements and posters.

Also available will be free portable ashtrays to smokers to store their used cigarette butts.

It can take two to 15 years for cigarette butts to decompose. Cigarette butts can leach chemicals such as cadmium, lead and arsenic into the marine environment, and wildlife often mistake cigarette butts for food.

The Ola Na Papa I Pulama ia, "Cherish the Living Reefs" community task force was formed specifically to promote the International Year of the Reef and related activities.

Most of the members also belong to the newly formed Maui Marine Resource Council, which will carry on the work after the special year concludes.

Special events are being planned through 2008.