SPONSOR:

Hawaii Commission on Water Resources Management, Department of Land and Natural Resources

PROJECT PERIOD:

06/16/05 - 12/31/06

OBJECTIVES:

A management groundwater flow and transport model is developed, based on deep monitoring well data, for the evaluation of sustainable yield of Hawaiian basal aquifers. In this study, a modified robust analytical model or RAM2 was developed. RAM2 consists of two sub-models; a flow sub-model and a transport sub-model. The transport sub-model simulates the expansion of the transition zone as the head of a Hawaiian basal aquifer declines. The transport modeling of RAM2 determines the minimum equilibrium head of a basal aquifer - a head required to prevent seawater intrusion. This minimum equilibrium head can then be used together with flow modeling to determine the aquifer's sustainable yield.

RESEARCH RESULTS AND FINDINGS:

The sustainable yields of Hawaiian basal aquifers were evaluated by RAM2 modeling analysis. Revised values of sustainable yield were derived for principal basal aquifers in the State including Pearl, Moanalua, Kalihi, Beretania, and Kaimuki aquifers on Oahu, Iao aquifer on Maui, and Kualapuu aquifer on Molokai.