by Jackie DudockFrom Denver to Honolulu In 1981, inspired by a passion for water conservation and public education, a special task force of the Denver Water Department, Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, and Colorado State University kicked-off what became a national water-efficient landscaping movement. From this partnership, the term “xeriscape” was coined and began to be used to describe techniques that, when implemented cooperatively, significantly reduce landscape and garden water use. Xeriscape: from the Greek “xeros,” meaning dry, and “scape” meaning the pattern of the landscape. By 1982, the nation’s first public xeriscape demonstration garden and education program were in

by Lurline Wailana McGregorStacy Sproat-Beck was raised in Kalihiwai, a small village between Kilauea and Hanalei on the North Shore of Kauaʻi. “It was an idyllic childhood of hukilau, farming, roaming the mountains, and swimming in the stream in what is probably one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Sproat-Beck recalls fondly. That may be one of the reasons she lives down the road from where she grew up and works nearby as the executive director of the Waipā Foundation, doing the kind of work she has known all her life. After the Kilauea Sugar Plantation on the

by Josh McDanielThe 29 atolls and five low islands of the Republic of the Marshall Islands are distinctive in both their remoteness in the central-western Pacific and the seeming precariousness of the impossibly tiny slivers of land that make up the island nation. Located about halfway between Hawaiʻi and Australia, the entire combined landmass of the Marshall Islands is about the same size as Washington D.C., or the Hawaiian island of Niʻihau, spread across an expanse of ocean the size of Mexico. About half of the total population of 53,000 lives in the capital city on Majuro Atoll, a ribbon

by Natasha VizcarraIn the ʻŌlaʻa rainforest of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, mist hangs in the air. Bright red blooms of ʻhiʻa trees mix in the canopy with ʻlapa trees that shimmer in the breeze. Underneath, towering fronds of the hāpu‘u fern shelter a forest floor slippery with mud. Moisture-loving plants like moss and ferns cover almost every tree surface, from downed logs to upright trunks and spreading branches. And on the forest floor lies wet leaf litter, with more wet fern, wet moss, and rare plants such as the Honohono Hawai‘i jewel orchid. The ʻŌlaʻa Forest Reserve sits on the

This report provides an update to a 2008 report on the value of Waikīkī Beach using 2016 economic and visitor arrival data. Hospitality Advisor’s 20081 report concludes that just under $2 billion (2007 U.S. dollars) in overall visitor expenditures could be lost annually due to a complete erosion of Waikīkī Beach. The 2008 report investigated the economic impact of the erosion of Waikīkī Beach through visitor surveys and analysis of data provided by the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, and Smith Travel Research. This report updates the economic impact estimates with the most recent

by Ilima Loomis Richard Pyle recalls joining John “Jack” Randall on a diving expedition in Palau in 1985. Wanting to impress the legendary ichthyologist by discovering a new species of fish, the 18-year-old Pyle scoured the reef for unusual specimens. “Unfortunately, every time I came up with something I had never seen before, Jack not only knew exactly what it was, but shared with me an engaging anecdote about how it was first discovered — in almost all cases by Jack himself!” he wrote in a letter nominating Randall for the International Society of Reef Studies Darwin Medal, which Randall

Huli ‘ia is an observational process documenting seasonal changes and shifts across entire landscapes, ma uka to ma kai (from the mountains to the ocean). Developed by Na Maka o Papahānaumokuākea, the Huli ‘ia process documents these natural changes over time, identifies dominant cycles of important species or natural occurrences (e.g. flowering, fruiting, presence/absence of flora/fauna, cloud formations, spawning or recruiting of fish species, etc.), and assists in identifying any correlations between species and occurrences. Those correlations help to identify the occurrence of a less visible situation (e.g. fish spawning) when a more obvious one happens (e.g. a flower species

Across the Hawaiian Islands vulnerability to coastal hazards is increasing with climate change and sea level rise and as development along our shorelines continues to expand. Access to high-resolution local hazard exposure and vulnerability data and maps is critical for communities to understand and plan for increased coastal flooding and erosion with sea level rise. The Hawai‘i Sea Level Rise Viewer serves as an online interactive atlas accompanying the Hawai‘i Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, completed in December 2017. The Report and map data in the Viewer incorporates the best-available science on sea level rise and potential impacts.

Hawai‘i’s coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to impacts from hurricanes, tsunamis, and other coastal disaster events due to the state’s isolated location in the Pacific and development concentrated along low-lying shores. Impacts from infrequent coastal disaster events will become more severe with climate change and sea level rise. Human impacts to coastal environments that act as natural barriers including beaches and reefs also makes our communities more vulnerable to impacts from storms and high waves. The ability to build back safer, stronger, smarter, and faster after a damaging disaster while considering potential impacts to natural and cultural resources is a

Over the past decade, Hawai‘i has progressed in recognizing and addressing coastal hazards and the need for adaptation to sea level rise. However, more work still needs to be done to translate broad-scale guidelines and scientific information into action at the local level. This project focuses on developing practical guidelines for incorporating resilience to coastal hazards and sea level rise into county general plans and community plans. In the context of this project, resilience is a community’s ability to adapt and thrive in the face of increasing coastal hazards, climate change impacts, and sea level rise through proactive planning utilizing

Water Resource Sustainability is dedicated to conducting research on water resources-related issues in Hawai‘i and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands and facilitating access to interdisciplinary expertise within the university to enhance understanding of water issues. The use of data and science based evidence informs management and policy decision-making on water quality, quantity, wastewater management, and infrastructure best practices.

This report provides an update to a 2008 report on the value of Waikīkī Beach using 2016 economic and visitor arrival data. Hospitality Advisor’s 2008 report concludes that just under $2 billion (2007 U.S. dollars) in overall visitor expenditures could be lost annually due to a complete erosion of Waikīkī Beach. The 2008 report investigated the economic impact of the erosion of Waikīkī Beach through visitor surveys and analysis of data provided by the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, and Smith Travel Research. This report updates the economic impact estimates with the most recent

The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program  prepared this climate change impacts report to provide Hawai‘i communities with a foundational understanding of the effects of global climate change on Hawai‘i’s resources and ecosystems. The report presents a summary of the current state of scientific knowledge regarding climate change and how it is expected to affect Hawai‘i, including marine, coastal, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems, built systems, and human health so that Hawai‘i can be better prepared for the changes to come.

The Center Serves To: Support research in coastal and climate sciences and promote access to the best available science for decision makers Increase coastal community resilience to natural hazards and adaptation to climate change Improve conservation and management of coastal resources Resulting In: Resilient coastal communities that are better prepared for the impacts of natural hazards and climate change Signature Projects Hawai‘i Climate Adaptation Initiative: Hawai‘i Sea Grant is supporting the development of Hawai‘i’s first Sea-Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report released in December 2017. Sea level has risen over the last century on each island at rates varying from

The Center Serves To: Build partnerships and enhance marine science education at all levels Connect scientists, teachers, students, and life-long learners Act as a repository and a point of initiation for new ocean science and ocean education projects Resulting In: Increased understanding and appreciation of the marine and coastal environment Signature Projects Teaching Science as Inquiry : A Teacher Quality grant was awarded to research and develop a four-part series of Teaching Science as Inquiry for middle and high school teachers, focusing on aquatic science. Teachers from Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, LĀna‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i islands formed learning cohorts to be

The Center Serves To: Provide knowledge and information on achieving energy, water, and waste independence in community planning and development Conduct research on designs that reduce construction and maintenance costs while reducing environmental impact Engage the university community in reducing campus energy use and water consumption and introduce green building practices Resulting In: Communities that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable while supporting social and cultural diversity Signature Projects Established First Power Purchase Agreement: The first power purchasing agreement rooftop photovoltaic system for the University of Hawai‘i at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology generates 222 kW of electricity, approximately

This 65 page waterproof fish guide provides full color photographs, names, and descriptions of the fishes most commonly viewed by snorkelers and swimmers at Hanauma Bay. ORDER INFORMATION Snorkeler's Guide to the Fishes of Hanauma Bay $12.95 To order your copy of Snorkeler's Guide to the Fishes of Hanauma Bay, please contact us at uhsgcomm@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-7410.

The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program is pleased to present Hawaiian Reef Plants. The book is written by John M. Huisman, Isabella A. Abbott and Celia M. Smith, three of the world’s leading botanists, and is in full color. Its 264 pages are packed with stunning photographs of the Hawaiian marine flora, plus keys, descriptions, introductory chapters, sections on Hawaiian use of seaweeds and much more. This volume concentrates on a significant part of Hawaiian marine life – marine plants, or seaweeds. Hawaiian culture was and is heavily dependent upon the sea, and reef algae or “limu” as

The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program is proud to present Reef and Shore Fishes of the Hawaiian Islands by award-winning author John E. Randall. The 560-page volume covers the 612 species of fishes found in the Hawaiian Archipelago from the shore to 200 meters depth. It contains 1007 illustrations (944 in color) most of which are the author’s underwater photographs. Dr. Randall regards this as his finest publication, the result of 47 years of study of the Hawaiian fish fauna. Whether you are a seasoned ichthyologist, a beginning snorkeler, or simply someone with an interest in Hawai‘i’s varied

What’s New in 4.0 Evacuation Planning – New resources, summarized in Tables can help families create their emergency and evacuation plans. Table 3-5 summarizes this Part of the book and provides interactive links for: (i) tsunami evacuation maps important for tsunami evacuation planning; and (ii) flood, storm surge and wind topographic speed up maps, important for hurricane evacuation planning. The maps for hurricane evacuation planning should be used with the shelter in place table with instructions (Table 3-4). Note for most evacuation scenarios, wait for specific instructions from emergency management or civil defense before evacuating as there will be warning

Center of Excellence: Coastal and Climate Science and Resilience Center of Excellence: Marine Science Education Center of Excellence: Smart Building and Community Design Center of Excellence: Sustainable Coastal Tourism Institute of Hawaiian Language Research and Translation To address the needs, challenges, and opportunities of coastal communities and further the goals of the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program, the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant) has established five centers of excellence to facilitate the delivery of research, education, and extension services. The primary role of each center is to foster the development of robust, resilient, economically

Place-based stewards in the Heʻeia ahupuaʻa expressed a need for a set of guidelines to help ensure that research projects focused in Heʻeia engage in equitable and reciprocal partnership with those connected to and caring for the ahupuaʻa. In response to this need, a partnership was formed between the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA), and others to develop the Kūlana Noi‘i. The Kūlana Noi‘i is not intended to be a compliance standard or checklist for achieving reciprocal community-research partnership. Instead, this document serves as a starting point for deeper conversation and lays out a set of ideas, values, and

Hawaiian Newspapers Illuminate an 1871 Storm How 114 years of Hawaiian-language newspapers starting in 1834 extend our knowledge of natural disasters into the nineteenth century and to precontact times.

The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant) conducts an innovative program of research, outreach, and education services toward the improved understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine resources of the state, region, and nation. Through these activities we serve those who live, work, and recreate in coastal communities in Hawai‘i and the Pacific Region. Hawai‘i Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant College Programs nationwide that comprise a network within our nation’s coastal and Great Lakes universities and colleges, promoting unbiased, evidenced-based understanding, conservation, and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources. As an organized

Hawai‘i Sea Grant provides integrated research, extension, and education activities that increase understanding and wise stewardship of Hawaiʻi’s coastal and marine resources. The numbers below represent some of the ways that we impacted coastal communities in 2016 alone. $5 million in leveraged funds, resulting in a return on the federal investment of approximately 200% Hawai‘i Sea Grant created or sustained 49 jobs for an economic benefit of at least $3.6 million 783 Fishers who modified their practices as a result of Hawai‘i Sea Grant activities 12,099 Volunteer hours completed 34 Graduate students and fellows supported 23 Undergraduate students supported 33