Research Projects 2020-2022 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Nori Tarui Co-INVESTIGATORS: Takahiro Tsuge Graduate Fellow: Marcus Peng How much would we lose with further Waikīkī Beach erosion? Though the value is likely substantial, no study has a holistic estimate of various types of values ...

by Jackie Dudock The tide is rising ahead of the early morning sun on the northeast coast of the Hawaiian island of Kaua‘i. Waves rush singing onto the outer reef where two throw net fishermen stalk the surge. An elderly ...

In this episode, we’re learning about coastal erosion and how it affects homes built near the shore. We explore the coastline with Hawai’i Sea Grant Extension Agent, Ruby Pap, and County of Kauai planner, Kaʻaina Hull, to see what happens when buildings are ...

NOAA FY16 Coastal Resilience Grant and cooperative agreement with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant in partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Planning Project duration: May 2016 – April 2021 Questions? Brad Romine:  romine@hawaii.edu ...

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 ...

by Amanda MillinNearly three decades ago, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicated that “the gravest effects of climate change may be those on human migration.” Estimates differ widely, but most experts agree that upwards of 25 million people ...

In this episode, we're looking at eroding beaches of West Maui, where large condos are being threatened by loss of sand and sea-level rise with Hawai’i Sea Grant Coastal Hazards Expert Tara Owens and Maui County planner, Jim Buika. Watch ...

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 ...

 Research Projects 2020-2022 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Wendy Meguro Co-INVESTIGATOR: Charles Fletcher Graduate Fellows: Josephine Briones, Ireland Castillo This proposal addresses the problem of adaptation of a coastal urban area to flooding as sea level rises in Waikīkī, with globally replicable methods. Waikīkī, ...

Frequently Asked Questions What can King Tides tell us about future sea level rise? King Tides (the highest high tides of the year) provide a glimpse into the future of what our shorelines may look like on a more regular ...

Through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Regional Coastal Resilience Grant, the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program together with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Office of Planning, and Tetra Tech, Inc., developed statewide ...

Through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Regional Coastal Resilience Grant, the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program together with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Office of Planning, and Tetra Tech, Inc., developed statewide ...

About the Project The University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program's Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project needs your help to document today's high water level events, also known as King Tides, to better understand tomorrow's impacts from sea-level ...

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 ...

The Hawaiʻi Dune Restoration Manual was written and created by the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant). Hawaiʻi Sea Grant supports and conducts innovative research, education, and extension services toward the improved understanding and stewardship of ...

About the Cooperative Sentinel Sites Featured Projects Partners Resources About the Cooperative The Hawaiian Islands Sentinel Site Cooperative (HISSC) is a collection of four priority sites across the Hawaiian Islands designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as ...

About the Cooperative Sentinel Sites Featured Projects Partners Resources Featured Projects Erosion Hot Spot Mapping: Sedimentation from erosion is one of the largest threats to coral reef health. Coral reefs buffer shorelines against waves, storms, floods, and impacts from sea-level ...

About the Cooperative Sentinel Sites Featured Projects Partners Resources Partners Government Partners NOAA Office for Coastal Management NOAA National Geodetic Survey NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, ...

About the Cooperative Sentinel Sites Featured Projects Partners Resources Resources Data & Monitoring Nā Kilo Honua o Heʻeia Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve Smart Coastlines Tools & Visualization Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Viewer NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer Digital Coast ...

About the Cooperative Sentinel Sites Featured Projects Partners Resources Sentinel Sites The HISSC includes four priority sites: Midway Atoll and French Frigate Shoals in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument; He‘eia watershed on the island of O‘ahu; and the Kona Coast ...

How to Participate To submit a photo and observations please visit our Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project web platform via the button below. You can submit photos, your personal observations of king tides impacts, date, time, location, and ...

by Pelika Andrade 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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

Click on the cover image to view the full issue. Welcome to our inaugural issue of the new Ka Pili Kai! Embracing knowledge from generations past and present: For our dedicated readers who have been receiving and reading our quarterly ...

Click on the cover image to view the full issue. Ola I Ka Wai Water is Life The myriad issues surrounding water – water rights and law, water availability, changing climate and rainfall patterns, and understanding our aquifers in Hawai‘i ...

Humpback Whale Vocal Communications Between Mothers and Calves Wastewater’s Influence on Coastal Groundwater Quality and the Health of Coral Reefs in Maunalua Bay, O‘ahu Attack of the Drones: Characterizing Groundwater Discharge on Maui Using the Latest Research Tools Simulating Sea-Level ...

50 Years of Putting Science to Work for Coastal Communities O‘ahu Maui Hawai‘i Island Kaua‘i Pacific Region 50 Years of Putting Science to Work for Coastal Communities In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed The National Sea Grant College and Program ...

APPENDIX 3. Geochemistry Data Tables Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 REPORT SECTIONS INTRODUCTION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WATER LEVEL MONITORING WATER BALANCE FROM GEOCHEMICAL TRACERS HYDROGEOPHYSICS HYDROLOGIC MODELING DISCUSSION RECOMMENDATIONS APPENDIX 1. Water Level Sensor Details APPENDIX 2. A ...

About the Project What is a Community Vulnerability Assessment? Participation News & Events  Final Report News & Events Final Report is here! (6/26/2020) As promised, we are excited to present to you the CVA final report. Here is the link ...

by James Brancho It was the late summer of 1871, and a strong hurricane had just rambled over the islands of Hawaiʻi and Maui. It scattered buildings, snapped old trees, and flooded the land. Many residents were getting to work ...

About the Project What is a Community Vulnerability Assessment? Participation News & Events Final Report Participation Who participated in the West Kauaʻi Community Vulnerability Assessment (WKCVA)? Anyone who lived or worked on the west side was welcome and needed! Also, ...

Dr. Martin Guiles and Camilla Tognacchini explore the risks to west Maui of inundation and increased erosion from ordinary ocean waves as base-line sea levels rise. Read more about their project here ...

by James Brancho Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier retired from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in May after 35 years in front of the classroom. A dedicated teacher with high expectations, he worked throughout educational settings in Hawaiʻi to foster a ...

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 ...

INTRODUCTION The loʻi paʻakai (salt beds) of Hanapēpē (Salt Pond) is located on the west side of Kaua‘i in the Kona moku, the ahupuaʻa of Hanapēpē, and the ʻili of ʻUkula. For generations Hawaiian families have been harvesting salt at ...

APPENDIX 1. Water Level Sensor Details Link to GAIA GPS Shared folder - https://www.gaiagps.com/public/RcYcxuc1cuHNDw2J2rqlXGzF Water Level Sensors were placed in the field on Aug 20, 2021. Photos in this appendix share more info on the specific coordinates for each node/water ...

APPENDIX 2. A Note About Modeling Why Do We Need Models? Models are useful in understanding of water flow and chemical transport processes and for improving on theories. They are useful for the design field data collection schemes, emphasizing needed ...

DISCUSSION To better understand hydrology in the area, various research techniques were used including electrical resistivity, analysis of radon concentrations, self-potential tests, hydrologic modeling, and analysis of salt pond water level and salinity changes. Findings indicate that thick (~9 ft) ...

ENDNOTES [1] High hydraulic conductivity means the substrate, e.g. basalt, allows water to easily flow through it [2]  MacIntyre, S., 1995. “Trace gas exchange across the air-sea interface in fresh water and coastal marine environments.” Biogenic trace gases: Measuring emissions ...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Hawaiian cultural practice of making salt is one of Hawai‘i’s oldest traditions and Hanapēpē Salt Pond is one of the last places in all of Hawaiʻi that continues this tradition. The area and practice is highly treasured ...

HYDROGEOPHYSICS ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY TOMOGRAPHY Methodology 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was used to achieve two main objectives: (1) Identify and characterize the subsurface geology of the pond; and (2) Identify locations and quantify the magnitude of subsurface water exchange between ...

HYDROLOGIC MODELING Methodology The specific objectives of this section are: Develop a conceptual model of the study site. Use available sensor observations to calibrate the related numerical model to mainly estimate hydraulic properties of the area. Apply the model for ...

RECOMMENDATIONS Based on ongoing kilo by the salt-making practitioners, it has been observed that wave overtopping of the beach berm occurs during periods of large summer swell and high tides, and the magnitude of overtopping increases when the beach berm ...

WATER BALANCE FROM GEOCHEMICAL TRACERS Figure 9 shows a simplified schematic of the water sources to Salt Pond. Geochemical methods can be used as tracers for some of these sources as they rely on naturally occurring chemical components dissolved in ...

WATER LEVEL MONITORING Methodology To identify present hydrodynamic conditions seven real-time water level sensors were deployed at Salt Pond on August 20, 2021 that monitor water level heights in six-minute intervals. In addition to providing data in near-real-time, seasonal or ...

In this episode, we head inland to take a look at how rising sea level will affect our infrastructure, aquifers, and fresh water supplies. Researchers from the Univerity of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program and the School of Ocean and ...

Rising sea levels along Hawai‘i’s shorelines call for state and local governments to take action by means of a wide range of coastal land use policy tools designed to help Hawai‘i successfully adapt to climate change. Hawai‘i is expected to ...

by Lonny LippsettA fever is rising in the ocean. Our rampant burning of fossil fuels has produced a heat-trapping blanket of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere that has warmed the Earth. But the situation would be much worse without ...

by Josh McDaniel According to Hawaiian moʻolelo (oral traditions), Kūʻula built the first Hawaiian fishpond, or loko iʻa, on the island of Maui. Kūʻula was a fisherman of rare skill who is described as having supernatural powers for directing and ...

We can expect stronger and more numerous hurricanes due to climate change. How can Hawaii be prepared for the 2018 hurricane season?. In this episode of Research in Manoa guest Dr. Dennis J. Hwang, JD with the Hawaii Sea Grant ...

Video Tutorials and Resources Find below some useful video tutorials that demonstrate how to upload photos to our King Tides Project platform and how tidal predictions are made to find the dates that the King Tides will happen. IN THIS ...

by Randolph Fillmore Thousands of years ago, people indigenous to the Pacific Islands traveled in large sea-going canoes, covering huge expanses of ocean. Exploring, trading, and settling newly found islands, including today’s Hawaiian Islands, these people carried their culture with ...

About the Project What is a Community Vulnerability Assessment? Participation News & Upcoming Final Report Questions? Ruby Pap: rpap@hawaii.edu or call (808) 241-4183 West Kauaʻi Community Vulnerability Assessment Final Report Mahalo nui loa for participating in the West Kauaʻi Community ...

 Research Projects 2018-2020 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Douglas Luther Co-INVESTIGATOR: Mark Merrifield Graduate Fellow: Camilla Tognacchini The long-term rising trend in sea level (typically, an inch or so every 10 years around Hawaiʻi) alone will not be obvious to the casual observer at ...

What can Hawai‘i expect from the winter king tides? November 6, 2017 Hawai‘i will once again be experiencing “king tides,” the highest predicted astronomical tides of the year, in November, December, and January. The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant Center ...

About the Project What is a Community Vulnerability Assessment? Participation News & Events Final Report What is a Community Vulnerability Assessment? Community members are intimately familiar with areas that are vulnerable to natural hazards in places where they live, work, ...

What is a King Tide? King Tides are the highest astronomical tides of the year The scientific term for a King Tide is a perigean spring tide. King Tides in the Hawaiian Islands tend to occur during the summer (e.g., ...

When are King Tides? Join us for King Tides photo surveys in the Hawaiian Islands July 3 & 4, 2023 July 31 & August 1, 2023 August 28 & 29, 2023 To find the best day and time in your ...

Why Study King Tides? Documenting King Tides helps researchers, decision makers, and communities better understand and prepare for sea level rise.  We know that global mean sea level is rising at an exponential rate. Pacific Island communities are especially vulnerable to ...

Final Report  •  Appendix A  •  Appendix B  •  WKCVA Project HomeJune 2020 Final Report (pdf 19MB) Low-resolution pdf (6MB) available HERE ...

Final Report  •  Appendix A  •  Appendix B  •  WKCVA Project HomeAppendix A provides the finalized VCAPS diagram from each CVA workshop. Please click on the link below to download Appendix A. APPENDIX A: VCAPS CAUSAL DIAGRAMS ...

Final Report  •  Appendix A  •  Appendix B  •  WKCVA Project Home Appendix B provides the sea level rise exposure maps associated with the report.  Please click on the links below to download sea level rise exposure maps for each ...

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 ...