Because of warmer than usual ocean temperatures, the islands of Hawaii will likely see the worst coral bleaching they’ve ever experienced.

"Water temperatures around Hawaii currently range from 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on location. These readings are four to six degrees above average for September – a pretty large anomaly for ocean water in the tropics,” said weather.com senior meteorologist Nick Wiltgen. “Between El Niño to the south and the unusually warm expanse of water known as 'The Blob' to the north, most of the factors influencing Hawaii's water temperatures have skewed to the warm side this year."

(NOAA), coral bleaching happens when corals are stressed by changes in their conditions such as light, temperature or nutrients. When the coral pushes out the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, , which is why it is called coral bleaching.

When coral bleaches, it does not die; it can survive a bleaching, but afterwards they have more stress on them and . This is problematic for fish and other species that spawn and live in the coral reefs because if the coral dies, it would and the availability of habitats. It’s also concerning for ocean-related businesses, tourism, availability of fish and the quality of life for people, .

This photo shows partially bleached coral in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on Sept. 10, 2015.

(Dan Dennison/Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources via AP)

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“You can’t stress an individual, an organism, once and then hit it again, very, very quickly and hope they will recover as quickly,” director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) Ruth Gates .

According to Gates, of the world’s reefs have died from bleaching events over the years. Until now, Hawaii’s reefs have generally been spared from large scale die-offs, and since , most corals have been able to recover. However, it will be difficult for the coral to tolerate warmer temperatures two years in a row.

“Some corals in Kaneohe Bay are already visibly pale or white, reflecting the detrimental impacts of unseasonably high seawater temperatures that we have been experiencing,” said Gates in (DLNR).

that scientists have been notified of bleaching in Kaneohe Bay and Waimanalo on Oahu and Olowalu on Maui. On the Big Island, reports of bleaching have come from Kawaihae to South Kona and Kapoho.

“We did see signs of recovery of corals in certain places,” said HIMB researcher Courtney Couch, Ph.D. “But at certain sites that experienced the most severe coral bleaching, we found that 85 to 100% of the corals have died. This is especially concerning since these sites are home to some of the most unique and rare coral species.”

Hawaii is home to 85 percent of the coral that falls under U.S. jurisdiction, including the 69 percent that is within the largely uninhabited Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument and another 15 percent of the U.S. coral that lies among the main Hawaiian Islands, .

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People can help by not adding to the coral’s problems, DLNR aquatic biologist Brian Neilson. This means avoiding using fertilizer on lawns and washing cars with soap so that no contaminants flow into the ocean. People should also , boaters should ensure they don’t drop anchor into it and fishermen should fish responsibly.

The DLNR has begun toby mobilizing and monitoring surveys and meeting statewide with partners to develop coordinated response actions.

“With the Monument’s fishing restrictions and healthy herbivore populations [fish and other animals that keep algae in check], there’s hope that reefs in the NWHI (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) will repopulate,” said Athline Clark, NOAA superintendent for Papahanaumokukea Marine National Monument in a . “The NWHI serves as a natural reference site to help us understand how reefs that are not exposed to human influences can possibly recover faster than those in the populated lands of our archipelago.”

DLNR chair Suzanne Case emphasizes that the coral reefs in Hawaii are . “If we fail to protect them and lose them, it could have tremendously negative impacts not only on the overall ocean ecosystem but on Hawaii’s economy.”

The state is encouraging people to help track bleached coral by reporting them to the volunteer organization Eyes of the Reef Network at .

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Kaleidoscopic Coral

Felix Salazar has been cultivating coral for over 10 years. (Felix Salazar)