Introduction

HYDROLOGIC AND ECOLOGIC INVENTORIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF WEST HAWAII

HYDROLOGIC AND ECOLOGIC INVENTORIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF WEST HAWAII

Technical Report No. 105
HYDROLOGIC AND ECOLOGIC INVENTORIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF WEST HAWAII

Sea Grant College Program, Years 07-08
ASSOCIATE INVESTIGATORS
E. Alison Kay
L. Stephen Lau
Edward D. Stroup
Stephen J. Dollar
David P. Fellows
PROJECT PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Reginald H.F. Young
Sea Grant Cooperative Report UNIHI-SEAGRANT-CR-77-02
April 1977

ABSTRACT
The goal of this project was to provide information to the County of Hawaii and to the state for the intelligent management of the marine and coastal resources of West Hawaii, particularly the South Kohala and North Kona areas. This was accomplished through compilation of inventories of biological, hydrological, and some oceanographic data for four selected sites, Puako, Waiulua, ‘Anaeho’omalu, and Kiholo bays.

Evaluation was made of existing hydrologic, geologic, oceanographic, and ecologic data in order to determine the volume and influence of groundwater discharge to coastal areas as well as the biological community structure in the near-shore waters.

Research results have yield a classification of the bays according to wave energy and groundwater intrusion. Poor circulation and high groundwater intrusion result in turbid conditions with communities of low diversity-a coastal situation suitable perhaps for a small boat harbor or marina, but undesirable for a marine park or preserve.
These results provide an excellent reference point for planning the use or development of the study sites or areas of related hydrologic and ecologic conditions. The methodology and techniques employed