
Description of the project area
	The existing small boat anchorage (Figure 3.1) is bounded by revetted landfill to the north, the 
existing breakwater to the west, a healthy coral reef to the south, and an eroded reef platform to the east.  
The turning basin apparently functions as a sediment sink, and is characterized by low-relief sand flat, 
relatively low wave energy, and sparse coral coverage dominated by delicate corals (Pocillopora 
damicornis and finely branching Montipora verrucosa).  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1993) reports 
that reef fish diversity in the turning basin is high (64 species) but abundance is low.  A considerable 
topographic relief in the inshore portion characterizes the coral reef to the south.   There is a spur and 
groove system on the seaward edge of the reef.  The seaward portion of the southern reef supports the most 
diverse and well-developed coral community in the project site, with at least 11 species of coral.  Porites 
compressa is the dominant coral species, followed by Porites lobata.  Other species include Pavona 
varians, Leptastraea purpurea, Fungia scutaria, and Pocillopora meandrina.  The southern reef supports 
an abundant and diverse reef-fish community, with at least 68 species.  The inshore reef to the east and 
southeast of the project site consists of a low-relief limestone pavement dissected by numerous channels 
and sand pockets.  Coral coverage is low but reef-fish density is high, with at least 50 species present.  The 
reef is pitted from numerous boring sea urchins, Echinometra mathei.  Heterocentrotus mammillatus is also 
abundant.  Blasting to create the entrance channel pulverized part of the reef framework into rubble.  The 
channel area supports a depauperate reef-fish community (only 3 species recorded), low coral coverage and 
coral diversity.  Porites lobata is the most common coral species in this area; Porites compressa and 
Pocillopora meandrina are also found (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1993).
	The Kawaihae project was designed to evaluate the use of transplant technique as a possible 
means of mitigating damage to Hawaiian coral reefs.  Corals within the footprint of the construction site 
were moved to other locations lacking in coral coverage.  Subsequently, we evaluated the success of the 
method, chiefly through monitoring survival of transplanted corals using visual censusing and photographic 
techniques.

Site descriptions
	Eight experimental transplant stations (named Harbor, Stockpile, Outer Reef Flat, 35 Ft., 45 Ft., 
Danger, Pelekane Offshore and Pelekane Inshore) were chosen to represent a full range of environmental 
conditions (Figure 3.1).  An offshore gradient was established with sites selected from shallow to deep 
water and in various environments, including areas believed to have a high potential for damage associated 
with harbor construction (particularly increased sedimentation), to distant sites with a low potential for 
direct damage, and areas that presumably would be impacted by storm surf.  Although the Kawaihae area is 
sheltered from northeast trade wind generated seas, it is subject to North Pacific swell in the winter months.  
Dollar (1982) defines the summer south swell as normal for the leeward coast of the Island of Hawaii.  
Kawaihae, however, is located within an indentation along this coast and is not impacted by 
southerly swell (Peter Hendricks, personal communication).  The configuration of the coastline is such that 
only waves coming from a bearing of 235? to 305? (measured clockwise in degrees from true North) will 
directly impact the site.  North Pacific swell events are intermediate in frequency.  A northwest swell with 
wave heights of 3 - 4 m has a predicted return period of approximately 4 years.  In the event of severe 
storm surf, we predicted physical damage at most of the shallow transplant sites.  We included areas 
presumed to have high terrigenous sediment loads (Harbor Station, Pelekane Offshore Station, Pelekane 
Inshore Station) and a site with high macroalgal coverage (Danger Station).  Both wave action and 
terrigenous sediment loading will affect corals.  All experimental grids were placed on hard substrata (solid 
substratum or coarse coral rubble substratum).  We selected areas with corals adjacent to areas having low 
or moderate coral coverage.  Adjacent natural areas were marked as control sites.
Harbor Station is the closest inshore and is in shallow water (3 m depth) and partially protected 
from high wave energy by the existing breakwater.  This site has a high potential for disturbance during 
construction activities, particularly from increased sedimentation.  Changes in water flow following 
construction of the breakwaters may also impact coral communities in this area.  The site is 
characterized by soft substratum (fine terrestrial muds); low coral coverage and corals associated with 
low wave energy environments (Pocillopora damicornis and fine-branching Montipora verrucosa).
Stockpile Station is in slightly deeper water (4.5 m depth) along the edge of the existing harbor 
entrance channel.  Given its proximity to the new construction, this site may also be disturbed during 
construction.  The site is characterized by hard substratum and low coral coverage.  Porites lobata is the 
dominant species.  The name Stockpile was chosen as corals removed from the footprint of the 
breakwaters were held in this area for future movement to other sites.
Outer Reef Flat Station (3 m depth) is located on hard substratum surrounded by moderate coral 
coverage, particularly well-cemented colonies of Porites lobata, suggesting that wave energy is high in 
this area.
35 Ft. Station and 45 Ft. Station were chosen because they probably would not be impacted by 
direct impacts of construction activities as they are located offshore in deeper water (11 m and 14 m).  
These sites are located on sand channels bounded by ridges and mounds of hard substratum with high 
coral coverage.  Within these sand channels, sand movement was believed to be a hazard for the 
experimental grids, as wave-driven sand can abrade corals or bury them completely.  Stakes were 
placed in the sandy areas to monitor sand movement.  Distance from the tip of the stake to the sand was 
measured every sampling period.  
Danger Station (1.5 m depth) is located on hard substratum surrounded by areas of very low coral 
coverage and high macro algal coverage.  The most noticeable feature of the area is extensive 
bioerosion associated with urchin boring.  Numerous green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were observed 
feeding in the area.  
Pelekane Offshore Station (1.5 m depth) is located near slightly deeper areas with high coral 
coverage, but has no live corals.  The area has hard substratum covered with crustose calcareous algae.  
Wave damage was considered to be possible at this site.
Pelekane Inshore Station (1.5 m depth) was presumed to be subjected to high sedimentation 
from terrestrial sources.  Low coral coverage areas occur near this station.  It is near the mouth of an 
intermittent stream draining a watershed of approximately 5,000 hectares.  The site is located on hard 
substratum at the edge of a channel once used to enter the protected water behind the coral reef before 
construction of the existing commercial harbor.


