Research Project – Hawaii Sea Grant

Aerial drone oblique view of a coastal parcel with wetlands, trees, meadows, and a narrow sandy coastline

By Rachel Lentz Aquaculture-Hawaii Aquaculture Collaborative Research Project

30 May: Developing an ecosystem-based monitoring program for adaptive management of Kalou lo‘i and loko wai

PI: Carmella Vizza
Wetland restoration in Hawaiʻi combines traditional Hawaiian practices, conservation, agriculture, and aquaculture, and requires community involvement and complementary research efforts for success. This project will create a place-based research program and community of practice at Kalou, O‘ahu with the North Shore Community Land Trust, delivering new insight on water quality, fish populations, and ecosystem productivity.

A dim reefscape contrasts bright healthy corals with dingy, sediment covered outcrops.

By Rachel Lentz Coastal and Climate Science Research Project

30 May: Mapping coral response to water quality stressors to improve coral restoration planning and ridge-to-reef management

PI: Lillian J. Tuttle Raz
In southwest Maui, sedimentation is a major threat to coral-reef health, but watershed management projects lack specific, measurable targets for eroded sediment reduction. To address this, researchers will work with local organizations and agencies to develop sediment stress thresholds specific to species and places, to inform both water-based restoration and land management efforts at Olowalu Reef.

A low rocky walkway extends along one side of a waist-deep fishpond bounded by trees and built structures, with high volcanic mountains in the distance.

By Rachel Lentz Aquaculture-Hawaii Aquaculture Collaborative Research Project

30 May: Harnessing Indigenous and local knowledge to investigate causes of decline in Hawai‘i estuarine fisheries and develop strategies to support their restoration

PI: Robert Toonen
Hawaiian fishpond baitfish populations have plummeted over decades, but causes are uncertain because Hawaiian estuaries are impacted by a range of threats including invasive species, habitat degradation, and climate change. This project investigates decline causes by documenting historical management knowledge, exploring state-wide fish abundance changes, and testing hypotheses related to habitat degradation and invasive competition.

Plant covered dunes end in abrupt meter-high drop-offs to a narrow remnant of beach washed by low surf, as beachgoers sit, walk, and play along the eroded shoreline.

By Rachel Lentz Coastal and Climate Science Research Project Sustainable Coastal Tourism

30 May: Estimating the economic value of coastal tourism under climate change using revealed mobile phone network data

PI: Nori Tarui
Hawaiian coastlines are integral to Hawaiian tourism, a leading economic driver in the state, but are being impacted by climate change and sea-level rise. This study explores the economic repercussions of shifting sites suitable for recreation across the state to understand better the value of coastal and outdoor recreation over time under different climate scenarios.

View looking at a rippled surface of semi-murky shallow waters with a school of medium-sized silvery fish amongst smaller red-tinged ones swimming near the surface.

By Rachel Lentz Aquaculture-Hawaii Aquaculture Collaborative Research Project

30 May: The development of environmental acclimation-based rearing strategies to optimize survival and growth in amaʻama or striped mullet, Mugil cephalus

PI: Andre Seale
Efforts to repopulate Hawaiian fishponds have encountered challenges, as natural recruitment of juvenile ʻamaʻama (striped mullet) has become unreliable and direct introduction of hatchery-raised fry has proven unsuccessful. This project tests adjusting the hatchery environment to precondition ʻamaʻama, improve their environmental tolerance, and optimize their survival and growth once introduced to the fishpond setting.

A sea cucumber is displayed on a black background, illustrating its thick brown and white striped body with knobby and spiny texture

By Rachel Lentz Aquaculture-Hawaii Aquaculture Collaborative Research Project

30 May: Development of gonadal maturation and spawning strategies in Hawaiian sea cucumbers

PI: Andre Seale
Sea cucumbers, including the native Hawaiian sea cucumber Stichopus horrens, have become increasingly important economically, with the rise in aquaculture efforts, but the lack of reliable reproduction techniques present a bottleneck in its production. This research aims to improve sea cucumber productivity by developing and testing hormones specific to S. horrens in controlling its spawning.

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