WRRCTR No.105 Hydrologic and Ecologic Inventories of the Coastal Waters of West Hawaii

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 yielded 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 can be adapted for monitoring other coastal zone sites in the state.NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Department of Commerce, under Grant Nos. 04-5-158-17 and 04-6-158-44026, Project No. R/CM-09; and the County of Hawai