Ka Pili KaiUniversity of Hawaiÿi Sea Grant College Program Vol. 32, No. 1 Spring 2010

Graduate Student Research Learning Through Discovery

University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program

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Ka Pili Kai (ISSN 1550-641X) is published quarterly by the University of Hawaiÿi Sea Grant College Program (UH Sea Grant), School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). UH Sea Grant is a unique partnership of university, government, and industry, focusing on marine research, education and advisory/extension services.

University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program 2525 Correa Road, HIG 208 Honolulu, HI 96822

Director: E. Gordon Grau, Ph.D.

Communications Leader: Cindy Knapman

Multimedia Specialist:Heather Dudock

Periodicals postage paid at Honolulu, HI

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Ka Pili Kai, 2525 Correa Road, HIG 208 Honolulu, HI 96822(808) 956-7410; fax: (808) 956-3014uhsgcomm@hawaii.eduwww.soest.hawaii.edu/seagrant

The University of Hawaiÿi was designated a Sea Grant College in 1972, following the National Sea Grant College and Program Act of 1966.

Ka Pili Kai is funded by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, project M/C-1, sponsored by the University of Hawaiÿi Sea Grant College Program/SOEST, under Institutional Grant No. NA05OAR4170060 from the NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Department of Commerce. The views expressed herein are those of the authors only.

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Ka Pili Kai Editor: Cindy Knapman

Layout and Design: Heather Dudock

On the Cover: Ta‘ape is just one of the invasive species being studied by Sea Grant graduate trainees. Numerous invasive species have been introduced into Hawai‘i’s marine environment and have the potential to negatively impact the ecosystem. Photo courtesy of Larry Winnik.

Ka Pili Kai Contents Vol 32 No. 1

3 Tsunami Run-Up/Inundation Study

5 How the Physical Environment Matters...

6 It's Not a Tumor? Impacts of Growth Anomalies on Hawaiian Corals

8 Knauss Fellowship 2010

10 A Cool Way to See Cold Water: Thermal Remote Sensing of Submarine Groundwater Discharge

11 UH Sea Grant's Center for Marine Science Education: Graduate Student Opportunities

12 Using Genetic Tools to Assess the Consequences of Introduced Fishes in Hawai‘i

14 UH Sea Grant Alumni Highlight

15 UH Sea Grant Publications

16 Na mea like ‘ole

In this issue of Ka Pili Kai we turn our gaze toward a talented group of individuals tackling some of today’s most challenging problems. These individuals, the graduate students participating in the UH Sea Grant graduate trainee program, are researching a broad range of topics including the threats from coastal hazards such as tsunamis; climate change and how it will impact the marine environment; the introduction of alien species which is altering Hawai‘i’s unique marine ecosystems; and the health of the coral reefs in Hawaiian shallow-water ecosystems, to name just a few. Through this program the graduate students are provided with valuable opportunities to further their education as well as gain first-hand experience conducting outreach and education in the broader community, and all of them are well on their way to becoming leaders in their field.

Cindy Knapman,Communications Leader

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Tsunami Run-Up/Inundation StudyBy Yoshiki Yamazaki, UH Sea Grant-supported graduate student

When a tsunami reaches the coast, it has the potential to travel onto the shore, wash out buildings, and drag objects into the ocean. While not all tsunamis are destructive, some could cause serious damage to coastal communities.

Even a 50 centimeter (about 2 feet) high tsunami wave can drag those in its path into the ocean, and once this happens, people have little hope of getting out because of the tsunami’s overpowering current. Hawai‘i has experienced six destructive tsunamis from the Pacific Rim during the last century: 1933 Sanriku, 1946 Aleutian, 1952 Kamchatka, 1957 Aleutian, 1960 Chile, and 1964 Alaska. Even though they were generated far from Hawai‘i, the trans-Pacific tsunamis severely damaged Hawai‘i’s coastal communities and took many lives. Those tragedies occurred because we did not fully understand how far and how high tsunami waves can reach over the ground; therefore, one of the most important aspects in tsunami research is run-up and inundation study. Run-up is the land height from still water level to the point where the tsunami wave reaches, and inundation is the horizontal distance from the coastline to that point. Hawai‘i was the first state in the U.S. to develop and implement tsunami evacuation maps for emergency management. The existing tsunami evacuation maps in Hawai‘i were developed in 1991 based on five of the six historical trans-Pacific tsunamis. Run-up heights of the historical tsunamis, excluding the 1933 Sanriku event, were well recorded along the coastlines of the Hawaiian Islands, and based upon those run-up records, the inundation areas were estimated using a cross-sectional, one-dimensional tsunami model. A total of 720 kilometers (447 miles) of Hawai‘i’s coastlines were analyzed at 0.4–3.0 kilometer (0.3–1.9 mile) intervals, depending on land configuration. The evacuation zones were subsequently developed and published in the phone books of each island.

One-dimensional tsunami models enable the estimation of run-up and inundation if land configuration is consistent along the coast. However, if land configuration changes drastically along the coast, water will not only flow from ocean to land, but in a lateral

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Hawaiian Islands

1933 Sanriku

1933 Chile

1952 Kamchatka

1957 Aleutian

1946 Aleutian

1964 Alaska

Pacific Ocean

run-up { {

coast line

still water level

inundation

direction, too. For example, if a town is located in the lower, flat ground between higher mountains, waves that hit those mountains will flow toward the town. It is very difficult to estimate run-up/inundation using a one-dimensional tsunami model in this situation; on the other hand, a two-dimensional tsunami model is capable of simulating lateral water flow over the ground.

Since January 2004, our tsunami research team in the Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering at the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa has been working for the Hawai‘i Tsunami Mapping Project under the supervision of Dr. Kwok Fai Cheung who is leading the project, and Mr. George Curtis, developer of the existing tsunami evacuation maps, to simulate tsunami inundation areas from the five trans-Pacific tsunamis using a two-dimensional tsunami model. We compare the computed run-up and inundation obtained from our two-dimensional model to historical records measured along the entire Hawaiian coastline to make sure that we reproduce the tsunamis appropriately. The computed run-up and inundation then provides a guideline to update the evacuation maps for the state of Hawai‘i. Thus far, we have completed the inundation maps for the islands of O‘ahu and Hawai‘i, and are currently working on the map for Maui which will be finished within two years. Although our current two-dimensional tsunami model is capable of providing reasonable estimations of run-up and inundation, some physics still need to be carefully investigated. Recent studies show that wave breaking, bore propagation, and wave dispersion may affect run-up and inundation estimations. Wave breaking involves complicated motion difficult to approximate with a two-dimensional model. A bore, on the other hand, generally has a very steep wave front and propagates as the large block of water slides toward the coast. Wave dispersion is the separation of a propagating wave into a series of small waves. A recent study shows that a series of small waves due to wave dispersion could yield a larger run-up than a single, large wave.

To gain a better understanding of the effects of wave breaking, bore propagation, and wave dispersion on tsunami run-up and inundation, researchers have been conducting laboratory experiments and developing advanced tsunami models. Several laboratory experiments have been conducted at Oregon State University’s Tsunami Wave Basin by different universities to investigate important factors related to run-up and inundation. Our tsunami team has also conducted laboratory experiments at the Tsunami Wave Basin to study wave breaking, bore propagation, and wave dispersion over the fringing reefs common around tropical islands.

In addition, we have been developing the two-dimensional tsunami model, NEOWAVE (Non-hydrostatic Evolution of Ocean WAVE), which is capable of taking into account wave breaking, bore propagation, and wave dispersion using alternative theoretical formulations and numerical schemes. Those new formulations and schemes allow us to implement the grid refinement scheme, which applies a different grid resolution desired for each process (tsunami generation, propagation, and run-up/inundation). Our tsunami model was validated and verified after being compared with laboratory experimental data as well as recorded run-up and water-level data of historical tsunami events. NEOWAVE is one of the first two-dimensional tsunami models able to model the physics of wave breaking, bore propagation, and wave dispersion, and utilize the grid refinement scheme. We will use NEOWAVE to double-check and confirm the inundation map for O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island, and we will fully apply it to the Hawai‘i Tsunami Mapping Project for the next project site.

Six major historical tsunamis struck Hawai‘i in last 100 years.

Most people are probably familiar with the notion of how the chemical environment (composition

of water), which carries all the nutrients essential for life, and the biological components in the oceans are invariably connected. However, the role of the physical environment, particularly on a micro-scale, is a more evasive concept. Even with major changes in the nutrient composition of the water, the state of the physical environment, specifically the rates of water flow, can impose a limiting factor on the ability of organisms to cope with the chemical changes they may experience. The overall flux of nutrients to the surfaces of organisms like algae (limu) and the transport of waste matter away from these surfaces are a result of three intertwined processes: biological, chemical, and physical activity.

Organisms exist within a range of conditions that they can tolerate in the physical environment. My work investigates this range and looks at the response in enzyme activity of algae (biological activity) to changes in both nutrient concentration (chemical activity) and water velocity (physical activity). Specifically, I am interested in understanding how organisms alter the physical environment and how changes in the environment, in turn, elicit biological responses. My research site is Käne‘ohe Bay surrounding Coconut Island (Moku o Lo‘e) and the He‘eia Fishpond. I am investigating the relevant properties of Gracilaria salicornia (gorilla ogo) in the sites—such as nutrient uptake rates, nitrate reductase enzyme activity, and the associated local hydrodynamic regime—and comparing them to native species of algae.

Gracilaria salicornia is an invasive red algae in Hawai‘i which was intentionally introduced to Waikïkï and Käne‘ohe from Hilo Bay in the 1970s for experimental aquaculture for the agar industry. This fast-growing photosynthesizer propagates clonally by fragmentation and has been increasing its range at a

How the Physical Environment Matters…By Sherril Leon Soon, UH Sea Grant-supported graduate student

rate of approximately 280 meters (919 feet) per year. Gorilla ogo is thought to be out-competing native algae species for several reasons: it is resistant to predation because it is likely to be less palatable than native species, it is resilient to environmental extremes, it grows faster than native species, smothering other limu and corals, and it has a mat or canopy

morphology (forms dense mats or carpet-like canopies), which affects the local hydrodynamic structure. The ways in which various species of algae affect their local hydrodynamics depend greatly on the characteristics of their canopies. Are the canopies flexible or rigid? Do they extend far into the water column? Are the thalli (the body of the algae) densely packed together? Do the algal units remain as individuals in “stands” or do they form mats? The algae act as physical barriers to the water and inhibit flow, and as a result, flow and mixing within the canopies can be greatly reduced compared to what is seen in the water column just above the canopies.

When algae affect their local hydrodynamics, those changes in water velocity or flow can have great effects on the rate of nutrient uptake. Gradual decreases in water velocity with water column depth set up what is known as a “boundary layer” at the surfaces of structures in the water. At the uptake surfaces, transport within and across the boundary layer is done by small-scale molecular diffusion, which is generally a slow process. Therefore, having a shorter distance to cover can increase the rate of uptake. As water flow increases, the distance which dissolved substances (nutrients) must travel across is reduced and uptake rates increase.

Piecing together the intricate relationships between the different biological, chemical, and physical components in ecosystems is crucial. This type of research has the potential to have broad-reaching significance as it will shed light on bio-physical coupling in systems. Furthermore, the enzyme activity data can become the foundation for the use of molecular tools to monitor biological responses to the physical environment. Finally, the relationship between components has an application to environmental management issues, such as the estimation of the “carrying capacity” of systems and the use of molecular tools in monitoring programs.

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Kyle Aveni-Deforge and Sherril setting out acoustic doppler velocimeters to measure water flow characteristics within a Gracilaria salicornia site over a tidal cycle at Coconut Island.

Gracilaria salicornia mat.

The health and well-being of the corals comprising the Hawaiian shallow-water reef ecosystems rely on many factors, ranging

from the abundance of mutualistic organisms to water quality. These ecosystems depend on a sensitive balance to stay healthy and productive, and a change in population of just one organism or even a slight increase in temperature can cause chain reactions leading to a reduction in the health of corals and possible mortality. As human presence on this planet expands exponentially, we are seeing ever-increasing impacts, such as sedimentation and pollution, to coastal environments and these stressors can further reduce the health of corals by making them more susceptible to diseases, just like any other animal.

Over the last few decades there has been an increase in coral diseases as well as disease outbreaks that have led to mass mortalities of corals. Once healthy corals are depleted, ecosystems typically become dominated by algae, decreasing the productivity and diversity of the ocean. The difficulty of studying and understanding these diseases is that corals are so diverse and in many ways still misunderstood; for example, one type of coral may show entirely different signs than another when impacted by the same disease. In most cases the causative agents

It's Not a Tumor? Impacts of Growth Anomalies on Hawaiian CoralsBy John Burns, UH Sea Grant-supported graduate student

of the disease are unknown and obtaining an accurate diagnosis of the coral is complicated–most diseases cause discoloration and tissue loss that eventually leads to the mortality of a coral colony, but some diseases may not be “diseases” at all, simply changes in appearance caused by some stressor. More research is needed as defining diseases is complex in an environment we still know little about. If we can answer some common pathological questions about certain diseases–such as, Is it transmissible? What causes it? Will it lead to the death of a coral colony?–then we stand a much better chance of predicting and stopping mass losses of coral reefs.

Skeletal growth anomalies, which were originally described as tumors, are interesting afflictions of corals. The abnormality causes bizarre skeletal alterations that lead to enlarged masses and strange growth forms, but no causal agents have been discovered for this anomaly and it is still uncertain if it is transmissible between coral colonies. Further complicating the issue is the fact that different species show different signs of the affliction, some have enlarged polyps on the growths while other species have diminished polyps due to the growths. It is also unknown if this affliction will eventually cause the death of the coral colony.

I am particularly interested in assessing how growth anomalies impact the physiology of corals. Do they impact the health of the entire colony, leading to the eventual death of the coral and threatening coral reef ecosystems? At Wai‘öpae tide pools, one of our study sites on the island of Hawai‘i, we have noticed that Montipora capitata (rice coral) is far more susceptible to developing these anomalies than other species. Through long-term monitoring we have seen that some colonies are overcome by the disease and die, while many others seem to sustain a number of growth anomalies that do not affect healthy

John photographing coral diseases.

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parts of the colony. This observation begs the question: if these anomalies are similar to tumors, do they act benign or malignant? I aim to look at the physiology of healthy and afflicted tissue to better understand the impact that the anomalies have on the well-being of these corals.

To truly grasp how this disease impacts rice coral, it is necessary to have a consultation with most of the colonies at the Wai‘öpae tide pools site. To do this we conducted thorough prevalence surveys, as well as skeletal characterizations, to learn how many corals are afflicted, what kind of affliction they have (structure/shape/location), and how many growth anomalies are present. An adequate understanding of the population is crucial for making assessments about the impact of this affliction on the ecosystem as a whole. I plan to use histology (the microscopic study of the cell and tissue anatomy of plants and animals) to compare healthy and afflicted tissue to look for indicators of reduced coral health at the cellular level. Research done on other species with these anomalies has shown a lack of reproductive material and less zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae which provides substantial energy for the coral through photosynthesis), so I will also use PAM (pulse amplitude modulated) fluorometry to assess the photochemical efficiency of the symbiotic algae in healthy and afflicted corals. Basically, I want to know if corals afflicted with growth anomalies have a physiological reduction in the amount of energy they can obtain and utilize. If we find these growths to be physiologically “weaker” than healthy tissue then we know that these anomalies pose a significant threat to the health of corals and the ecosystem as a whole.

It is important to study and understand coral diseases and determine specifically how they threaten the health of corals because the loss of one organism in an ecosystem will inevitably affect every other organism. The field of coral disease has been plagued with uncertainties as much work has relied strictly on visual observations and detailed understanding is oftentimes lacking. In order to take effective action to protect corals from a disease, we first need to adequately understand how the disease

works and the threat it poses to corals. However, because there are so many unknowns associated with skeletal growth anomalies, it is difficult to know where to start looking for answers. Therefore, to garner useful information, we are investigating this disease from multiple angles; as a collaborative project with graduate students supported by Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST), we are looking at ecology (prevalence), macro-morphology, histology, photochemistry, sub-cellular molecular processes, and correlations with water quality. We hope that our work, as a whole, can aid in determining ways to protect and manage coral ecosystems like Wai‘öpae tide pools so as to minimize the prevalence of diseases such as growth anomalies.

John performing coral health surveys.

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KnaussFellowship 2010The John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program is a year-long paid fellowship awarded to a select group of graduate students across the country with a background in marine or aquatic sciences. In addition to their impressive performances in the sciences, individuals chosen for this fellowship demonstrate a keen interest in national or international policy related to our marine and coastal resources. Accordingly, Knauss Fellows are given the unique and prized opportunity to become involved in the resolution of marine policy issues in the political core of our nation, Washington, D.C.

Lisa Adams

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; if this is true, then seeing something firsthand is certainly priceless.

At the age of 15, Lisa Adams took a class trip to the Galapagos Islands where she witnessed a sight that will be forever etched into her memory: a lone seal pup basking on the beach, its body pressing against the plastic soda ring around its neck as it breathed. This image, as it clashed with other Galapagos images of beauty and tranquility, ignited in Adams a passion for marine conservation that still burns today. As one of the 2010 Knauss Fellowship recipients, Adams now has the opportunity to put her fervor to good use by assisting the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) with management and policy issues related to coastal and marine resources.

The Knauss Fellowship is an acclaimed program that provides a unique educational experience to graduate students who have an interest in the national policy decisions affecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. Selected students are matched with various hosts in the legislative or executive branch of government in the Washington, D.C. area for a one-year paid

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fellowship. The program is highly competitive and less than 50 students are chosen each year.

Adams’ selection comes as little surprise as she has the right set of skills and experiences for a successful Knauss Fellow. Originally from Colorado, she earned a BA in marine science and a MS in tropical conservation biology and environmental science from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UHH). Adams’ UH Sea Grant-supported graduate research project on free-living populations of zooxanthellae—a type of symbiotic organism that often lives within corals and other marine life—resulted in two peer-reviewed publications along with presentations at several conferences. In addition, she helped establish a popular UHH community event, Ocean Day Hawai‘i, and served as its volunteer coordinator. The annual event has hosted more than 2,500 attendees in the past three years and educates local communities about threats facing marine resources, communicates current scientific research on marine resources, and connects individuals with marine community groups that teach about ocean conservation.

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Now in Washington, D.C., Adams serves as the coordinator for two of NGSO’s four focus teams—Sustainable Coastal Development and Hazard Resilient Coastal Communities. In this role, Adams helps the focus teams ensure that NGSO’s policies and initiatives in hazard resiliency and the built environment fulfill the goals outlined in Sea Grant’s national strategic plan. In addition, she endeavors to ensure that Sea Grant is well represented at conferences and in reports drafted by Sea Grant’s parent organization, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For example, she has prepared numerous documents for the American Planning Association conference to represent Sea Grant and assist planners in recognizing that “the Sea Grant agents in their state are a valuable resource that they could be utilizing to help them make more sustainable development decisions.” Similarly, she is working on the renewal of a Memorandum of Agreement between NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency intended to aid six offices within the agencies collaborate and leverage resources so that developing projects fulfill the goals and priorities of each office.

With 32 individual Sea Grant College Programs across the nation, it is important for NSGO, NOAA, and Congress to understand how a network of localized programs produces national impacts, thus meriting an investment of federal dollars. With this in mind, one of Adams’ major upcoming projects will be to compile and group the thousands of community-based impact reports submitted by the state programs so that they can be used to develop national impacts and stories that detail the results of Sea Grant’s efforts, such as the acres of habitat that have been restored, the number of marinas that have been designated “clean” in the country, or the number of communities that have taken steps to better prepare for coastal hazards. Once synthesized, the national impacts and subsequent stories will be employed in numerous fashions and appear in various outlets, including the biennial report to Congress and featured stories in journals, magazines, websites, and press conferences.

Unquestionably, Adams has a lot on her plate, though marine conservation is never expected to be easy. For her, juggling numerous projects is not the most

challenging part of being a Knauss Fellow, as she is already a master at multitasking; rather, the most challenging part is acclimating to the D.C. culture. “I guess it’s just a big lesson for me because I am coming from such a small town,” says Adams. She has proven to be a quick study in the past, however, and this current hurdle is no exception. With generous help and patience from the NSGO staff and a wealth of support from UH Sea Grant, Lisa Adams is pursuing that admirable dream of marine conservation she fashioned all those years ago.

Have you ever felt really cold water while swimming in shallow waters at the beach? If so, you have probably encountered submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). You may have even seen SGD while you were at the beach, perhaps without realizing it: SGD can make little gulleys in beach sand or boils

in shallow, calm water. If you snorkel or dive, you probably see SGD more often as it shimmers underwater.

Submarine groundwater discharge is a naturally occurring process in coastal areas all around the world, particularly in Hawai‘i. It is important to understand why and where SGD occurs, as it transports nutrients and contaminants to the normally nutrient-poor ocean waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Just as unique ecosystems have developed where freshwater meets seawater in river estuaries, unique ecosystems have likely developed where brackish coastal areas are continually influenced by SGD. So how is it, exactly, that SGD occurs? To help explain, we will take O‘ahu as an example.

Most of O‘ahu’s rain falls on high-altitude areas of the Ko‘olau Range, with comparatively less rain falling on high-altitude areas of the Wai‘anae Range. These relatively cold (67° F) regions of high rainfall are the primary areas where rainwater accumulates, percolates through the ground, and replenishes the drinking water of our underground aquifers. Once replenished, the groundwater slowly flows through the island’s rocks toward the coast, collecting nutrients and other dissolved constituents during its journey, but warming very little (less than 3° F). Some of the water is intercepted in areas between the mountains and the coast and withdrawn from the ground for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes, while

the rest eventually enters subterranean estuaries beneath our beaches, mixes with seawater in these unseen aquifers, and then discharges to the sea along our shores as cold (67–70° F), nutrient-rich SGD. The amount of discharge varies from place to place, season to season, and even high tide to low tide (though your chances of finding SGD are best at low tide). Since SGD is quite variable, pinpointing its actual locations is challenging.

Temperature differences between cold, brackish groundwater and warm (75–82° F), ambient, ocean water can be used to locate SGD through remote sensing by use of thermal infrared detectors. These detectors can easily determine slight temperature differences of objects, including water, by sensing variations in the thermal energy emitted by the objects. To maximize the temperature difference between SGD and ambient ocean water, we collect all of our infrared data at night and avoid the warming effects of solar radiation on the ocean and land. We use an infrared camera mounted to the bottom of a fast airplane to collect our data; this setup allows us to locate exactly where cold groundwater along O‘ahu’s coastlines exits to the sea. A Global Positioning System (GPS) is used to pinpoint the precise location of the airplane above Earth’s surface, and an inertial navigational system is used to track the airplane’s roll, pitch, and heading as it moves across Earth’s surface. The combination of these tools allows Dr. Craig R. Glenn and me to map out the exact locations of O‘ahu’s

A Cool Way to See Cold Water: Thermal Remote Sensing of Submarine Groundwater DischargeBy Jacque L. Kelly, UH Sea Grant-supported graduate student

Jacque (left) and Kayla Holleman (right) pointing to SGD at Kawaikui Beach Park, O‘ahu.

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SGD based on the recorded temperature differences between groundwater and the ocean. In addition, if the same area is mapped multiple times, the sea surface temperature maps of SGD allow us to qualitatively compare the spatial extent and mixing characteristics of SGD from place to place, day to day, season to season, or year to year. This technique has allowed us to locate numerous SGD exit portals around O‘ahu, including areas in all three lochs of Pearl Harbor, ‘Äina Haina, and Hale‘iwa to Kahana Bay. Mapping the sea surface temperatures of Käne‘ohe, Kailua, and Waimänalo Bays awaits clear skies and our next flight mission.

Once our mapping is complete, we will use the locations of SGD delineated in the images of sea surface temperature as a basis to conduct rigorous field studies. We will determine the fluid flow rates and coastal residence times of SGD through the use of radon and radium isotopes. We will then evaluate the dissolved nutrient loads by analyzing water samples for various nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorous, and silica. Finally, we will evaluate the sources and cycling of nitrate present in the water through the use of stable isotopes of nitrogen and oxygen, and compare them with the "upcountry" source waters from which they were derived.

Stay tuned for our future SGD results. In the meantime, I hope you will remember some of these cool facts the next time you encounter SGD while enjoying the beach.

Jacque and Mark Wood completing the thermal infrared equipment installation of the airplane.

UH Sea Grant's Center for Marine Science Education:

Graduate Student Opportunities

http://www.uhsgmarinescience.org

The Center for Marine Science Education works to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the marine environment by facilitating partnerships between scientists, teachers, students, and life-long learners. To support such burgeoning relationships, the center effectively utilizes web media, workshops, symposia, small grants, and graduate assistant positions. Of particular interest to graduate students looking to broaden their experiences is this center’s dedication to outreach projects, one of which provides UH Sea Grant-supported graduate students with training in education.

The UH Sea Grant graduate trainee program is designed to support full-time graduate students who are working toward advanced degrees related to the marine or coastal sciences. Graduate trainees supported by UH Sea Grant are required to dedicate 40 hours per year to education outreach activities and often participate in the Center for Marine Science Education's training to accumulate these hours. Participating students will undergo education training facilitated by the College of Education’s Curriculum Research and Development Group and develop outreach projects to share cutting-edge marine science with K-12 students, teachers, and community members. Projects that emerge from the education training are presented to K-12 students and the general public at the biennial School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Open House. Through this comprehensive training, UH Sea Grant graduate trainees, the next generation of science researchers, educators, and leaders in their community, gain the theoretical and experiential knowledge needed to integrate successful outreach into their own professional lives.

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A major threat facing Hawai‘i’s unique marine ecosystems is the introduction of alien species. Alien species can affect native ecosystems by

altering vital habitats, competing with native species for food and space, or directly preying upon native species. Scientists at the Bishop Museum estimate that 287 invertebrate, 20 algae, 20 fish, and 12 flowering plant species have been introduced into Hawai‘i’s marine environment.

One of the most common ways that marine species are introduced to Hawai‘i is in the ballast water of ships. For stability, large ships must either take on or discharge ocean water before leaving a port of call—water that often contains unknown amounts of foreign plankton, including some larval fish and invertebrates known to survive for weeks while a ship transits between ports. Although accidental introductions are most common, there is also a long history of government programs that have purposefully brought foreign species to Hawai‘i for bio-control (management of another species’ population) or fisheries enhancement. For example, in the 1950s the Hawai‘i Division of Fish and Game (HDFG) introduced 11 non-native snappers and groupers to the main Hawaiian Islands with the intention of enhancing local fisheries. Of the eleven species introduced, three became established: the bluestriped snapper, ta‘ape;

the black tail snapper, to‘au; and the peacock grouper or roi. Ta‘ape is by far the most successful of the three fishes, spreading throughout the archipelago and reaching Midway Atoll at the far northwestern end of the archipelago by 1992. Roi, by comparison, has only spread about halfway up the island chain to French Frigate Shoals, while to‘au is restricted to the main Hawaiian Islands.

Study species: ta‘apeIn 1958, HDFG chartered a fishing vessel and sailed to the South Pacific to gather large numbers of ta‘ape:

Using Genetic Tools to Assess the Consequences of Introduced Fishes in Hawai‘iBy Michelle Gaither, UH Sea Grant-supported graduate student

School of ta‘ape.12 Ka Pili Kai

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over 2,400 fish from the Marquesas Islands and 700 fish from the Society Islands three years later. All ta‘ape were released on O‘ahu and soon after began to spread to the other main islands and up the archipelago. For our research, our laboratory at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) has been collecting specimens of ta‘ape from across Hawai‘i as well as from the source populations at the Marquesas and Society Islands. Using genetic tools we are able to differentiate between individuals from each of the two source populations, allowing us to trace ta‘ape found in Hawai‘i back to their source

populations. We have found that fish from both the Marquesas and Society Islands became established in Hawai‘i and have been equally successful at reproducing and spreading. Our data also suggests that the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands were not colonized by just a few ta‘ape, but instead by large numbers as the ocean currents moved groups of larvae into the Papahänaumokuäkea Marine National Monument.

A major concern to researchers at HIMB is the probable introduction of a parasitic nematode, Spirocamallanus istiblenni, to the Hawaiian Islands along with the original ta‘ape. The parasite is normally found in the stomachs of juvenile and adult ta‘ape, but has also been documented since the 1960s to occur in six native fish species in Hawai‘i, including three goatfish. The parasites attach to the lining of the stomach of their host fish and feed on the host’s blood; Dr. Greta Aeby, a researcher at University of Hawai‘i, has further shown that the nematode can cause severe damage to intestinal tissues of their host when present at high densities. Of greatest concern to our research team is the finding of the parasite in fish as far northwest as French Frigate Shoals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Work to be doneWe are currently working to determine if the parasite is indeed an alien species. To do this, we are collecting specimens of the parasite from ta‘ape in the Marquesas and Society Islands, as well as here in Hawai‘i. We are developing genetic markers that we will use to compare the collected parasites, which will aid us in determining if they are of Marquesan or Society origin or if they are native to Hawai‘i.

The hard lessonTa‘ape represents a worst-case scenario for introduced species. Since its introduction, it quickly became established and began spreading in large numbers, and can now be found at high densities on many reefs in Hawai‘i, including those in the newly established Papahänaumokuäkea Marine National Monument. The consequences of its introduction are still unknown, but a great deal of time and effort is being invested into understanding what impact this species is having on our native ecosystem. Ultimately, we are not able to put this malevolent genie back into its bottle—marine invasions, once under way, are nearly impossible to stop without drastic and expensive actions. However, by documenting this case we hope to elevate awareness in both management agencies and homes across Hawai‘i. Our message is simple but effective: don’t put that alien fish in our Hawaiian waters.

Michelle with a school of ta‘ape.

Ta‘ape at Hanauma Bay, O‘ahu.

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Kuhio Beach won a 2008 best restored beach award�

Certificate of appreciation from the state of Hawai ‘i�

Topographic lidar work at Ehukai beach park, O ‘ahu�

Dolan Eversole

UH Sea Grant Alumni Highlight

As a student at the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, Dolan Eversole had the good fortune of being invited to participate in the University

of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program’s (UH Sea Grant) graduate trainee program. His advisor, Dr. Charles (Chip) Fletcher, is a professor and chair of the

Department of Geology and Geophysics and invited Dolan to assist him with one of his Sea Grant-funded projects on Maui. He agreed, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, Eversole has his “dream job” working at UH Sea Grant. A coastal geologist by training and graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, Dolan earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology and geophysics. Dolan works directly within the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL), Coastal Lands Program of the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and serves as a technical advisor to the DLNR on coastal issues including coastal erosion and management, coastal hazard mitigation and climate change adaptation.

The mandate of the OCCL is to maintain the delicate balance between preservation and responsible development of marine and coastal areas, and one major focus of the program is initiating and developing innovative shoreline management techniques compatible with the long-term goal of beach and coastal preservation. One innovative project Eversole initiated focused on restoring Kühiö Beach in Waikïkï by replenishing the sand that had eroded due to wave action along the coast. Instead of trucking sand in from elsewhere around the state, he spearheaded a pilot project which dredged 10,000 cubic yards of sand from 2,000 feet offshore back onto the beach. The project was nationally recognized by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association and awarded a Best Restored Beach Award for 2008.

As a scientific advisor to the DLNR, Dolan provides technical review and oversight for a variety of coastal land use proposals for the DLNR including applications for beach nourishment and other erosion control methods. In addition to his technical experience, Dolan draws from years of experience as a competitive ocean enthusiast and ocean lifeguard in Hawai‘i and continues to wet his passion for the ocean by surfing, paddling and sailing in the ocean as often as possible.

Publ

icat

ions

UH Sea Grant

BA-03-02 Reef and Shore Fishes of the 560 pp Hawaiian Islands$125* John E. Randall

BA-03-02 Hawaiian Reef Plants264 pp John M. Huisman, Isabella A. $39.95* Abbott, Celia M. Smith

GG-10-03 Hawai‘i’s Changing Climate 7 pp Briefing Sheet, 2010 No Charge* Chip Fletcher

BA-03-01 Hawai‘i Coastal Hazard Mitigation 240 pp Guidebook$20* Dennis J. Hwang

BA-06-03 Natural Hazard Considerations for 26 pp Purchasing Coastal Real Estate in No Charge* Hawai‘i Dolan Eversole and Zoe Norcross-Nu’u

BA-07-02 Homeowner’s Handbook to 100 pp Prepare for Natural Hazards No Charge* Dennis J. Hwang and Darren K. Okimoto

BB-09-01 Energy Sustainability in the Pacific 100 pp Basin: Case History of the State of No Charge* Hawai‘i and the Island of O‘ahu as an Example Michael W.Guidry and Fred T. Mackenzie

* Shipping charges do apply. Please contact UH Sea Grant for shipping costs and more information: (808) 956-7410 or uhsgcomm@hawaii.edu

http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/SEAGRANT

BA-07-01 Beach Management Plan for 47 pp Maui, Second EditionNo Charge* Zoe Norcross-Nu'u, Charles Fletcher, Thorne Abbott

LL-10-01 University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant34 pp College Program Strategic Plan No Charge* 2009-2013

The Snorkeler's Guide to the Fishes

of Hanauma Bay

By John E. Randall

PublicationsNow Available from

UH Sea Grant!

Coming Soon from UH Sea Grant...

Hawai‘i’s Changing Climate

Briefing Sheet, 2010

By Dr. Chip Fletcher

A publication of UH Sea Grant’s Center for Island Climate Adaptation and Policy.

To download your copy, please visit: www.soest.hawaii.edu/SEAGRANT

and click on New Publications. For more information or to request a free hard

copy, contact UH Sea Grant: (808) 956-7410 or uhsgcomm@hawaii.edu.

How is global warming influencing the climate in Hawai‘i? Hawai‘i’s Changing Climate provides information on the science of climate change as

published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and in government reports and websites.

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.

If you would like to be notified when this publication is available for purchase, please contact us:

uhsgcomm@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-7410. 15 Ka Pili Kai

Recycled Paper

Ka Pili Kai is printed on recycled paper with soy based inks

16 Ka Pili Kai

Na mea like ‘ole

Read Ka Pili Kai online at: www.soest.hawaii.edu/seagrant/communication/kapilikai/kapilikai.html

Ka Pili Kai (ISSN 1550-641X)University of Hawai‘iSea Grant College Program2525 Correa Road, HIG 208Honolulu, HI 96822

Subscription/publication request (also available online )

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Publication title/ ID number

The class includes basic coral reef ecology, fish biology, identification tips, and specific information about different fish families, followed by instruction on how to complete a REEF snorkel survey. A REEF survey consists of recording the different species of fish and number of each fish observed while snorkeling. Reef Watch Waikïkï will hold several training classes throughout June in preparation for the Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC). You can put your fish identification skills to good use by participating in one of several Great Annual Fish Count events scheduled for the month of July.

Join UH Sea Grant’s Reef Watch Waikïkï for a fish identification and REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) survey training class during the month of June.

For more information about Reef Watch Waikïkï and the GAFC, visit www.facebook.com/reefwatch or www.fishcount.org. To obtain a detailed schedule of events scheduled during June and July please contact Heather at heather@reefwatchwaikiki.org.

Heather Hillard, UH Sea Grant intern, instructs class participants prior to a Waikïkï fish survey.