Warm temps’ reef grief

KANEOHE, Hawaii — Researchers say warmerthannormal ocean temperatures around Hawaii this year will likely lead to the worst coral bleaching the islands have ever seen.

Warmer waters cause coral to expel algae. It’s called bleaching because coral lose their color in the process. Researchers say many coral are still damaged from last summer.

Ocean temperatures near Hawaii are 3 to 6 degrees warmer than usual.