Corals can reproduce two ways -- asexually (by cloning), and sexually (by broadcasting eggs and sperm into the water).
The white “rocks” you see spelling out names and messages beside Big Island highways are actually pieces of (dead) coral skeleton!
Hawaii state law prohibits taking, breaking or damaging any stony coral or any rock or coral to which marine life is visibly attached. In some circumstances, up to one gallon per day per person of coral rubble may be taken. In addition, it’s illegal to sell any species of coral native to Hawaii. First time violators of any of these laws can be fined $1,000 per specimen and/or jailed for up to 30 days!
Sources:
Fenner, Douglas, 2005, Corals of Hawaii, Mutual Publishing.
