HONOLULU (AP) — University of Hawaii scientists say a disease outbreak at Hanalei Bay on Kauai's north shore is killing coral at an alarming rate.

Hawaii News Now reports Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology coral expert Greta Aeby and her team are trying to stop the spread by covering coral with marine putty, to cut the disease off from healthy coral.

She says the underlying cause includes overfishing, pollution and sewage spills. Aeby says coral is the "foundation" for the ocean ecosystem, and without it the ecosystem will fail.

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Information from: KHNL-TV, http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/