

           PRINCIPALEric K. Brown, M.S.
       INVESTIGATOR:
     POSITION/TITLE:Senior Research Associate
        AFFILIATION:Pacific Whale Foundation
    MAILING ADDRESS:101 N. Kihei, Rd., Suite #25,
                    Kihei, HI 96753
      PROJECT TITLE:Saving Maui's Reefs
      RESEARCH SITE:Maui, Hawaii, USA
      PROJECT DATES:May 31 - September 26, 1998

                    Saving Maui's Reefs

                    Abstract
                    Objectives
                    Methods
                    Volunteer Tasks and Accomplishments
                    Results
                    Summary of Results
                    Discussion

Abstract

Hawaiian  coral  reef ecosystems  are  coming under  increasing  pressure from  natural and
non-naturally occurring  disturbances. Coral reefs in  Hawaii exhibit low species diversity
relative to other tropical  regions but display fairly well developed fringing reefs. In an
effort to detect spatial and temporal changes in the structure of the coral reef community,
coral coverage and reef  fish density and diversity were documented at selected sites along
the  Maui coastline  using  standard transect  methodology  and SCUBA.  Physical parameters
examined  included: wave  exposure, water  motion, sedimentation  levels and  water quality
(temperature, salinity, and turbidity).  State and federal agencies in Hawaii are unable to
conduct intensive,  long term  monitoring of coral reef  ecosystems with current resources.

Findings  to date  indicate that  natural factors  such as  wave energy  can affect density
patterns  of reef  organisms  over a  very short  time  period (e.g.  4-5 days).  Human use
patterns  if  intense  enough  may gradually  alter  both  density  and  diversity  over an
intermediate time  scale (2-5 years). Since  1994, when our sampling  effort was pooled for
each site,  nine long-term monitoring  sites have experienced varying  degrees of change in
coral  coverage and  fish density. Coral  cover has  declined at the  northern sites, which
experience high levels of human use, while the southern sites remain relatively stable. One
intermediate site  (Puamana Nearshore) that  was devastated by Hurricane  Iniki in 1992 has
experienced a  threefold increase in coral  cover since 1994. Estimates of fish density, at
northern sites  with high human use,  increased in 1995 and  have remained relatively high.
Surveys  at  southern  sites  by comparison  have  been  more  consistent  throughout time.

For our long-term sites, species richness of coral was highest at Honolua Bay (18 spp.) and
lowest at the Puamana  Offshore site (6 spp.). Fish species richness is highest at Kahekili
Park - Site 1 (99 spp.) and lowest at Olowalu Offshore and Nearshore (78 spp.). The highest
coral coverage  was found  at Kahekili Park -  Site 2 (56.4%) while  the greatest number of
fish  per transect  occurred at  Kahekili Park  - Site  1 (204.5/250m 2).  The lowest coral
coverage (1.2%)  and fish density (10.7/250m 2) occurred at  the Puamana Offshore site. The
relationship between coral coverage and coral diversity in Hawaii indicates that when coral
coverage  exceeds 30%,  stands  of a  few dominant  species  (e.g.  Porites  spp.) results.

Seasonal  trends in  water  motion appear  to be  the major  factor structuring  coral reef
communities  around Hawaii.  Sedimentation and  water quality parameters,  however, may not
influence  coral reef  communities in  high-energy environments  due to  flushing and rapid
dilution. Sites with the highest sediment levels were either stable in terms of coral cover
or increasing.

Monitoring reefs to develop indices of reef "health", examining human impacts and placement
of artificial reefs to reduce stress on natural reefs will provide tools for more effective
management of tropical ecosystems.  This work takes on particular relevance within boundary
waters of  the Hawaiian Islands  Humpback Whale National Marine  Sanctuary and as nearshore
development encroaches upon the marine habitat.

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Objectives

The original  intention of this project  when we began in  1989 was to document spatial and
temporal changes  at selected reef sites  along the Maui coastline in order to characterize
the coral  reef communities. Since that time  we have broadened our scope to examine causal
factors that  might help explain the  observed patterns in coral coverage and fish density.
These  factors  have  been  delineated  into  natural  (temperature,  visibility, salinity,
sediment influence, and  wave exposure) and human-induced parameters (fish feeding impacts,
protection  from fishing, proximity  to elevated  nutrient levels from  sewage, and overall
human  use patterns).  In particular,  we are  trying to  address the  issue of  coral reef
health, how to assess it, and what factors contribute to the decline or recovery of a coral
reef  ecosystem.  Our  specific  objectives  for  the  1997  project  are  outlined  below.

1.  Document coral  species coverage and  species richness  in the daytime  at Honolua Bay,
Kahekili Park,  Puamana and Olowalu and  compare data with earlier  baseline work to detect
changes at each site over time.

2. Examine  relative density  and species richness  of fish in the  daytime at Honolua Bay,
Kahekili Park,  Puamana and Olowalu and  compare data with earlier  baseline work to detect
changes at each site over time.

3.  Analyze water  quality characteristics  (temperature, visibility and  salinity) at each
dive site and examine temporal trends for these values.

4. Measure  physical parameters (sediment influence  and water motion) at  each of our dive
sites to quantify the impact from these structuring factors.

5.  Survey  additional  sites  to  characterize  reef  communities  with  respect  along an
environmental gradient reflecting degree of wave exposure.

6. Investigate  changes in the trophic  composition of the fish communities at Honolua Bay,
Kahekili Park, Puamana and Olowalu.

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METHODS

Study Areas:  The primary work area  was within the waters  bounded by the islands of Maui,
Kahoolawe  and Lanai  in  the state  of Hawaii  (Figure 1).  The majority  of the  data was
collected while  SCUBA diving at relatively  shallow depths (less than 20m). Specific sites
were selected  on the basis of  prior surveys, levels of  human use, accessibility and dive
conditions.  Long term  (since 1991)  monitoring sites  included Honolua  Bay, Puamana, and
Olowalu (Figure 2). Water depths ranged from 3.2 meters at Honolua Bay during a low tide to
13.4  meters at  Puamana (Table  1). Varying  degrees of  exposure to  physical parameters,
terrestrial run-off and public use influences these areas.

Methods:  All  data were  collected  with  assistance of  SCUBA  using several  methods for
analyzing the coral reef  habitat. Coral diversity and percent coverage were examined using
the quadrat method described  by Reed (1980). Modifications of the quadrat method have been
used quite  extensively in the literature  as a method to  detect gross changes in the reef
flat community structure (Dahl, 1981; Coyer and Whitman, 1990).

The quadrat grid was  1m2 in area and consisted of 1 inch PVC tubing fitted with nylon line
spaced 10  centimeters apart to form a  grid with 81 intersections. Each quadrat was placed
on  the substrate  and spaced 10  meters apart on  a single  50 meter transect  line from a
underwater reference  mark (Prior to 1994 we used  a 100 meter transect line). The 50 meter
transect  line,  consisted of  1/4-inch  diameter  nylon rope  that  was marked  at 1-meter
intervals

with weights every 10  meters. Placement of the quadrats was predetermined before each dive
so that  at least 20% of  each transect was mapped  during the season. Different species of
coral  as well  as the substrate  type found  underneath each intersection  was recorded on
underwater slates (Appendix A). Coral species were identified using Reef and Shore Fauna of
Hawaii, Section 1: Protozoa Through Ctenophora by Maragos (1977).

Fish population density and  diversity were censused using a modified Brock transect method
(Brock, 1954). It is generally recognized that conducting visual transects using SCUBA gear
is  one  of the  most  effective  ways to  assess  fish  populations over  nearshore, rocky
intertidal or  shallow reef habitats where  collecting gear such as nets cannot be employed
readily (Dewees, 1981; Bortone and Kimmel, 1991). Visual census techniques are advantageous
because they do not  disturb the habitat and are minimally disruptive to the organisms. The
most  severe  limitation of  visual  estimates  is underestimation  of  real  abundance and
diversity patterns.  This is  due in part  to the cryptic  nature of  reef dwellers and the
structural complexity of the reef ecosystem (Bortone and Kimmel, 1991). Therefore, emphasis
in this  report is  placed on relative  patterns at each  of the  selected sites over time.

Three  50-meter  lines were  laid  out  in a  parallel  arrangement,  separated by  5 meter
intervals which created two  sample areas each 250m2. These lines were spooled out from the
same underwater reference point  used for the quadrat work. A 10 meter rope tethered to the
two end  divers was  used to maintain  the correct width  for the  transect area. The third
diver  swam in  the center  and laid  out the  dividing transect  line while  maintaining a
compass heading. After the  lines were positioned, the researchers returned to the start of
the transect  and allowed 10 minutes  for the fish to  acclimate. Two divers then proceeded
down each corridor of  the transect, and recorded the number of every species of fish seen.
Data  were tabulated  on  an underwater  slate using  common names  (Appendix B).  All fish
identifications were standardized using the Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes by Randall (1985)
and Shore Fishes  of Hawaii by Randall (1996). Morning and afternoon samples were collected
for  each day of  diving. After each  dive, the  data were transcribed  from the underwater
slates into a notebook for later computer entry.

Water quality  characteristics at each site  included; temperature, salinity, and turbidity
(visibility).  Temperature was measured  using a  handheld thermometer in  the field. Water
samples were  collected and  later analyzed for salinity  using a refractometer. Horizontal
visibility was measured using a secchi disk (diameter ~ 40cm) stretched between 2 divers at
both the surface and bottom.

Physical parameters  such as  sedimentation and water  motion have been  monitored at the 4
long-term core areas since  1996. Sedimentation was measured using 6 sediment traps at each
site. Each trap consisted  of a 2" X 6" PVC tube capped at one end and placed on the bottom
in planter trays that  were anchored to the substrate. Sediment traps were exchanged once a
month and  then filtered, dried and  weighed to determine quantity of sediment collected in
mg/cm 2 /day.  The  water motion  experiments  were  conducted  by  measuring  the  rate of
dissolution for plaster of  Paris clod cards in the field against a set of control cards in
buckets not  subjected to water movement.  Preweighed clod cards are  deployed once a month
for a  6-hour time  interval at each  site and later  dried and  reweighed to calculate the
dissolution rate.

Data analysis consisted of  computer entry into MS-Access, indexed by survey number for all
of the parameters measured. Thus, each survey contained information on coral coverage, fish
density, physical parameters and  trophic structure. Graphic representation of the data was
done in Deltagraph for Windows and Statistica for Windows.

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VOLUNTEER TASKS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A total of 45  volunteers participated in the project over 8 two-week sessions sampling 701
coral quadrats across 13  dive sites from May 31, 1998 to September 26, 1998. An additional
229  fish transects  were conducted  at the  same sites (Table  1). Volunteer contributions
accounted for  approximately 85% of the  quadrat samples taken and approximately 75% of the
fish transects conducted.

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RESULTS

Beginning in  1994, we  enhanced our survey  effort by establishing  more transects at each
site.  This improved our  ability to detect  trends in  coral and fish  density patterns by
pooling this additional data  at each site. The long term monitoring sites have experienced
varying degrees  of change in coral  coverage and fish density  (Tables 2, 3 and Figures 3,
4).

Table  1:  Survey  effort  in  1998 at  each  of  the  dive  sites  (N=number  of samples).

 Survey Site                Depth (m)  Quadrats (N)      Transects
                                                               (N)

 Honolua   Bay  -  South          3.2            89             22
 Reef

 Honolua   Bay  -  North          3.4            99             23
 Reef

 Puamana    -   Offshore         13.4            73             33

 Puamana   -   Nearshore          3.3           100             38

 Olowalu    -   Offshore          7.5            59             25

 Olowalu   -   Nearshore          3.4            68             28

 Kahekili  -  Park Front          6.5            67             21
 Site 1

 Kahekili    -   Control          6.5            49             18
 Site 2

 Kahekili     -Treatment          6.2            34              8
 Site 3

 Makena  -  Five  Graves          7.5            17              4

 Makena  -  Maui  Prince          9.1            16              4

 Makena - Puu Olai                6.4            16              3

 La  Perouse  -  Natural          9.4            14              3
 Area Reserve

 Totals                                         701            229



Honolua  North and  South are  continuing to  decrease in  coral coverage  since 1994. Fish
densities on  the other  hand are fluctuating  more dramatically with  increases at Honolua
South and  decreases at Honolua North.  Puamana offshore has remained depressed in terms of
both coral  coverage and fish density after  Hurricane Iniki in 1992 yet the nearshore site
is displaying a threefold  increase in coral recovery with sporadic fish densities. Olowalu
Nearshore is  remaining relatively stable over  the years in terms  of both fish and coral.
Olowalu Offshore has been  quite stable over the same time period until this past year when
coral coverage  declined yet  fish density stayed  roughly the same.  The reef fronting the
park at  Kahekili is remaining depressed in  coral coverage but fish density is still above
previous levels. Kahekili Site  2 remains stable for coral coverage and fish densities have
returned to  previous levels. Coral coverage  and fish density has  leveled off at Kahekili
Site 3, which is consistent with the prior year.



Table  2:  Coral coverage (%)  at our long  term monitoring  sites from 1989  to 1998 using
identical transect locations (N=number of quadrat samples).

Table 3:  Fish density (#/250m2) at our long  term monitoring sites from 1989 to 1998 using
identical transect locations (N=number of transects sampled).

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For  the long  term monitoring  sites, species  richness (number  of species)  of coral was
highest at  Honolua South (18 spp.) and lowest  at the Puamana Offshore site (6 spp.). Fish
species richness  was highest at Kahekili  site 1 (99 spp.)  with the lowest number of fish
species observed  at Olowalu Nearshore  and Offshore (78 spp.).  The highest coral coverage
was  again found  at Kahekili  site 2  (56.4%) while  the lowest coral  coverage (1.2%) was
observed at  the Puamana Offshore  site. The relationship between  coral coverage and coral
species richness  in Hawaii  indicates that when coral  coverage exceeds approximately 30%,
stands   dominated  by   a  few  species   (e.g.    Porites   spp.)   appears  (Figure  4).



                                          [Image]

Figure 4:  Relationship between coral coverage  and coral species richness at the long term
monitoring sites since 1994.



The greatest number of  fish per transect occurred at Kahekili site 1 (204.5/250m2) and the
lowest  fish density (10.7/250m 2) was  observed at  Puamana offshore. There  is a positive
linear correlation between the amount of coral and the density of fish present at any given
site (Figure  5). This relationship has  shifted in recent years, however, due to increases
in fish  density at  the popular tourist  sites coupled with a  decrease in coral coverage.

                                          [Image]

Figure 5: Relationship between  coral coverage and fish density at the long term monitoring
sites since 1994.

Physical Data from June to September

The 1998 El Nino event was one of the strongest ever recorded and some unusual effects were
observed in Hawaii as  a consequence. Average water temperatures continued to cool off from
the previous years across all of our dive sites. The warmest month on average at all of the
sites was  August. Salinity measurements  showed increases from previous  years at both the
surface and bottom and  this can be traced to the lack of precipitation in 1998. Visibility
has increase  steadily at the majority of our  dive sites since 1993. Several sites such as
Kahekili  site 2  had improved  visibility during  the warmest  year (1996)  but have since
returned to 1993 levels.  It is believed that the increase in water clarity at the majority
of  our sites  is attributed  to better  land management practices  and lower precipitation
levels  in the  past few  years. Further  analysis of  the wave  record will  clarify these
hypotheses.



Table 4:  Summary  of abiotic data collected  at our long term  monitoring sites during the
1998 study  period (Values  are averaged at  each site, N=number of  samples at each site).

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Honolua Bay south reef continues to be the coldest site on average with the lowest salinity
values on  the surface. This is  due to the groundwater  and intermittent freshwater stream
that empty into the  bay. Visibility levels were characteristic of other nearshore areas at
the same  depth (3-4m)  yet the source of  the reduced light levels  is not correlated with
sediments collected  in the traps. This  area continues to have the lowest sedimentation of
any of the sites. Water motion (Diffusion Factor) was low during the study period but storm
events in  the winter  months may flush  the sediments out  of the  bay system reducing the
overall load.

Puamana nearshore  had high temperatures and  high salinity values indicating low levels of
freshwater  input.  The  visibility  was similar  to  other  sites at  the  same  depth yet
sedimentation was  very high in comparison  to the offshore site. This correlated well with
the high water motion  at the nearshore site due to the shallower depth. It did not appear,
however,  that  water motion  exceeded  the  critical level  to  move  sediments completely
offshore  during high  wave events like  Honolua. The  offshore site had  high salinity and
visibility measurements that are characteristic of open ocean water.

The Olowalu  nearshore site as in years  past continues to have the poorest visibility with
some of  the highest  temperatures. Salinity levels  were moderate for  both sites. Olowalu
offshore had  three times  the sediment load of  the nearshore site and  yet both sites had
very low  water motion compared with the other areas.  This is most likely due to the lower
relief of the offshore site thereby facilitating sediment collection.

The three sites at Kahekili were quite similar with respect to temperature and salinity and
since these  sites are in the middle  of our North-South site gradient, the measured values
were intermediate to the other locations. Visibility was relatively uniform yet site 2 with
the lowest  visibility also had the  lowest salinity indicating freshwater input that would
reduce  water clarity.  Sediment and  water motion  correlated very  well. Site  2 with the
highest water motion also had the highest sediment load while site 3 was the lowest in both
categories.

Characterization of Additional Sites Surveyed

This  season we  continued to  survey additional  dive sites  in South  Maui representing a
broader range of habitats,  environmental gradients (i.e. seasonal wave exposure) and human
use patterns  (Figure 1). Table 5 displays  the coral and fish characteristics of each site
and the  degree of human use. Five Graves in Makena  is protected from wave action and is a
popular dive  and snorkel spot. This  site has surprisingly low  fish numbers when compared
with other  areas that are similar  in coral coverage such  as Maui Prince, also in Makena.
The drop  in coral cover at  Five Graves may simply  be an artifact of  low sample size and
needs to be investigated  further. La Perouse is a marine reserve with high coral cover and
low  fish  numbers when  compared  to our  other  dive sites  such  as Kahekili  Park. This
relationship was also observed at Puu Olai in Makena. The low fish numbers coupled with the
high coral cover could  be characteristic of this south Maui region, especially considering
the low human use. We plan on continuing to compare coral and fish community structure over
time at each one of these sites.

Table  5: Coral  cover (%)  and fish  density (#/250m 2)  at additional  sites (N=number of
transects sampled).

 Survey Site             Coral           Fish density  Human
                         cover (%)          (#/250m2)  Use

                         1997  1998     1997     1998

 *Makena -  Five Graves  21.8  15.2     85.1     74.1      High

 *Makena -  Maui Prince  22.0  23.3    184.4    105.1    Medium

 *La Perouse  - Natural  45.0  45.0    114.0    121.2       Low
 Area Reserve

 *Makena  -   Puu  Olai  46.5  45.4    137.8    123.5       Low

Trophic Composition of the Fish Community at our Long Term Sites

Herbivores, mobile invertebrate feeders and zooplanktivores (Table 6) dominate the majority
of reef  areas. The  exceptions are the  2 sites at  Olowalu which  have a strong detrivore
component. It  is interesting to  note that these 2  sites are the most  stable of our long
term sites  in terms of both  fish and coral. Our  study sites are typical of tropical reef
ecosystems  where   carnivores  (Coralivores,  Mobile  Invertebrates,  Piscivores,  Sessile
Invertebrates, and Zooplanktivores) as  a group comprise approximately 50-70% of the entire
fish  fauna. Olowalu  again was the  exception where  carnivores were estimated  to be only
29.3% of the fish community at the nearshore site. Composition of the fish community is now
being analyzed  over time to examine  fluctuations in the trophic  structure at each of our
sites.

There is also a strong, positive linear correlation between the number of fish that feed on
coral (i.e.  Coralivores) and the amount of coral  cover present at a site. In other words,
more coral  equates to both higher  numbers and a higher  percentage of reef fish that feed
primarily  on the  live coral  tissue. The  coralivores exemplify the  relationship seen in
Figure  5. It has  been postulated  that butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae)  are good indicator
species for the health  of coral reefs (Crosby and Reese, 1996). Our findings indicate that
the coralivore  trophic group as a  whole is a better  predictor of coral coverage than the
individual components (i.e. indicator species).

Table 6:  Trophic composition (%) of the fish  communities at the long term sites for 1998.

 Survey      Coralivore   Detrivore  Herbivore   Mobile  Piscivore  Sessile  Zooplantivore
 Site                                           Inverts             Inverts

 Honolua            5.3          .6       43.1     36.8         .6       .4           13.3
 Bay -
 South Reef

 Honolua            4.2          .4       42.1     32.3        1.4       .4           19.2
 Bay -
 North Reef

 Puamana  -          .6          .3       27.3     40.9        3.7      2.9           22.9
 Offshore

 Puamana  -         1.6          .1       26.7     36.3        1.9       .4           32.8
 Nearshore

 Olowalu  -         6.2        18.8       43.1     19.0         .8       .8           11.3
 Offshore

 Olowalu  -         2.9        16.2       51.5     27.5         .5       .7             .6
 Nearshore

 Kahekili -         8.8         4.7       39.4     27.2         .9       .6           18.3
 Park Front
 Site 1

 Kahekili -        10.4         2.4       34.9     23.4        1.6       .3           26.9
 Control
 Site 2

 Kahekili           8.7         6.8       37.0     23.8        1.8      1.4           20.1
 -Treatment
 Site 3

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Summary of results to date

In general,  it appears  that certain sites are  changing more than others  are in terms of
coral  and fish.  At this  time we  are uncertain  of the  exact causal  mechanisms for the
observed trends but by  examining physical, biological and human-induced parameters we hope
to clarify correlating variables.  Listed below are the major observations to date for this
study.

1.) Since  1994, the long term  monitoring sites have experienced varying degrees of change
in coral  coverage. Coral coverage for Kahekili  Site 2 and 3, and Olowalu Nearshore appear
to  be  stable while  Honolua  Bay  and Olowalu  Offshore  are displaying  downward trends.
Kahekili Site  1 remains depressed after  an initial decline in 1995. Puamana Nearshore has
experienced a threefold increase in coral coverage following Hurricane Iniki in the fall of
1992  while   Puamana  Offshore   has  not  yet  recuperated   from  this  episodic  event.

2.) In areas of  high coral coverage (>30%) species richness appears to go down and Porites
spp. dominate.  Species richness  appears to be  highest (e.g. Honolua  South with 18 spp.)
when coral coverage approaches  25-30% and a more even mixture of Porites spp and Montipora
spp.  exists. At  low  coral levels  (<25%)  Porites  spp. and  Pocillopora  spp.  are more
prevalent. This  may indicate that a  threshold exists for coral  coverage at various sites
around Hawaii  that results in monotypic  stands when acute physical disturbances are rare.

3.)  Fish density  levels increased  at Honolua  South while  Kahekili Site  1 continued to
display elevated  numbers of  fish. These sites  are among the  most popular snorkeling and
diving spots along the  West Maui coastline as indicated by our beach counts. This suggests
that human activity (e.g. fish feeding) may influence the observed patterns. These observed
increases in fish density, however, could also be the result of several excellent years for
fish  recruitment. Elsewhere,  Honolua North  continued to  decline in  fish density, which
indicates  that the raised  numbers in 1995  may have  been due to  an excellent recruiting
year. The other sites remained relatively stable from prior years.

4.)  Different fish species  dominated at each  of our  long term sites  depending on coral
coverage. With  high coral coverage (>30%)  wrasses (e.g. Thalassoma duperrey), surgeonfish
(e.g.  Acanthurus  nigrofuscus),  and damselfish  (e.g.  Chromis vanderbilti ) flourish. At
20-30%  coral  coverage,  herbivorous   surgeonfish  (e.g.   Acanthurus  nigrofuscus   and
Ctenochaetus  strigosus)  are prevalent  in greater  numbers. Coral  coverage between 5-20%
displayed patterns  similar to the high (>30%)  coral cover areas. Below 5% no real species
dominated with  an assortment of  puffers (Canthigaster jactator ), wrasses (Pseudojuloides
cerasinus,  Thalassoma  duperrey   and   Stethojulis  balteata )  and  damselfish  (Chromis
vanderbilti and Dascyllus albisella) observed.

5.) There  appears to be a  positive linear relationship that exists between coral coverage
and  fish  density.  In areas  (e.g.  Puamana  both sites,  Olowalu  Offshore)  not heavily
influenced by  direct human activities the  correlation is quite strong.  This model may be
used as  an index  to assess reef  health as ecosystems deviate  from the relationship over
time.

6.) In 1998, the  El Nino event cooled off temperatures substantially from prior years. The
northernmost  sites  (Honolua Bay  and  Kahekili  Park) displayed  colder  temperatures and
slightly lower  surface salinity measurements than  the southern sites (Olowalu, Makena, La
Perouse). Salinity  measurements were generally higher  than in previous years due to lower
precipitation levels in 1998. Visibility was generally poorer in nearshore areas and at the
surface  due to  resuspended sediments  from higher  water motion.  Sites with  the highest
sediment collection  rates generally had lower  coral cover yet these  areas were stable or
increasing.  The lowest  sediment  collection was  in Honolua  Bay  that is  experiencing a
decline in coral cover. This area had low water motion during the summer but extremely high
water  motion  in the  winter  that appears  to  flush out  sediment  from the  bay system.

7.) At the more  northerly sites (Honolua, Kahekili, and Puamana) wave exposure (i.e. water
motion) is the principal structuring mechanism of the reef environment. At the south facing
reefs (Olowalu, 3 sites  at Makena, and La Perouse) biological factors and human activities
appear to play a major role in shaping the reef.

8.) Inclusion of additional sites suggested that fish populations are higher in areas (e.g.
Makena -  Puu Olai) with high coral cover and  low human use compared to areas heavily used
(e.g. Makena - Five Graves) and moderate coral cover.

9.)  The trophic  composition of  our study  sites is  remarkably similar  and dominated by
Herbivores  (25-50%), Mobile  Invertebrate Feeders  (20-40%) and  Zooplanktivores (10-30%).
Olowalu  is  unusual in  that Detrivores  (15-20%)  comprise a  large  portion of  the fish
population with  a reduction in Mobile  Invertebrate Feeders and Zooplanktivores. Continued
monitoring in future years  will clarify these changes in response to human activities such
as fish feeding, fishing pressure and nearshore development.

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DISCUSSION

The significance  of this project is our  ability to conduct intensive, long
term  monitoring  of fragile  coral  reef  ecosystems in  Hawaii and  detect
changes in  key components  over time. Other  agencies in Hawaii  are simply
unable to  do this with current resources. At this  stage of our research we
are primarily  interested in  characterizing reef ecosystems  in Hawaii from
the  standpoint of coral  and fish  density and clarifying  the relationship
with other  factors (e.g.  physical and human-induced)  that might influence
the observed patterns.

The quantity of data  collected at our long-term sites was adequate to reach
our  research goals  for  this year.  Kahekili Park  holds  special interest
because  of the  ability to  conduct long  term monitoring studies  at three
biologically similar sites in close proximity that differ in their human use
patterns. This  site is  also at the  center of a  controversial development
that  threatens the nearshore  area but  it is currently  being re-evaluated
after contentious litigation.

The phase  we are  moving into examines  the cause and  effect relationships
between biological and physical factors. We will continue examining physical
processes (i.e. water motion, sediment movement in and around reef areas and
sedimentation levels)  that structure  coral reef ecosystems  along the West
Maui coastline.  In addition,  quantifying human use patterns  should aid in
interpretation  of  impacts at  these  sites.  Being able  to determine  the
relative importance  of various  factors and their  temporal influences will
clarify  dynamics of coral  reefs and  their associated fish  communities in
Hawaii.  As human  development  encroaches on  the aquatic  ecosystem  it is
imperative  that we  document impacts  and suggest management  strategies to
reduce or  alleviate deleterious effects. Ultimately  we hope this data will
help:

1.) Provide  credible data  to agencies responsible  for protecting Hawaii's
coastal resources.

2.)  Support educational  efforts  from a  scientific perspective  that will
enhance reef awareness.

PUBLICATIONS

The completed report will  be submitted to the State of Hawaii Department of
Land  and  Natural  Resources  Aquatic  Division  (DLNR),  State  of  Hawaii
Department of  Health (DOH) and  the Coastal Zone Management  (CZM) group to
supplement their existing databases  of coastal resources. Additional copies
will  be distributed  to  appropriate departments  within the  University of
Hawaii system, Hawaii Institute  of Marine Biology, marine consulting firms,
and  county  of  Maui officials  interested  in  the nearshore  environment.

One paper titled, "Long  Term Monitoring of Coral Reefs on Maui, Hawai'i and
the  Applicability of  Volunteers"  is slated  for publication  in  the 1998
proceedings of  the DLNR  coral reef workshop  (See enclosed copy).  Another
paper examining  comparative methodologies for monitoring  will be presented
at the National Coral  Reef Initiative conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
in April.  Much of  this current research  effort will also  be incorporated
into  my  dissertation and  chapters  of  this work  will  be submitted  for
publication  in   journals  such   as  Pacific  Science   and  Coral  Reefs.

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND BENEFITS

This project begins to  document changes in coral reefs around areas of high
human  impact.  Working  with  state  and county  agencies  responsible  for
managing  coastal resources  we  have begun  to outline  steps  necessary to
preserve  our marine  ecosystem.  The following  events highlight  our local
accomplishments:

1.)  Commercial marine  consultants (Oceanit,  Inc.) and  developers (AMFAC,
Inc.)  utilize our  data  in their  assessment of  coastline  development at
Kahekili Park.

2.) In 1998, our  work in Honolua Bay was presented at the Earth Maui Nature
Summit (June  13th ) and to  the board of  directors for  DLNR (April 9 th).

3.) A paper on  the research project and the applicability of volunteers was
presented  in  June  at the  International  Coral  Reef Monitoring  Workshop
sponsored by the University  of Hawaii, DLNR and the East-West Center of the
Pacific (See above).

4.) The  Pacific Whale Foundation continues to  assist the Maui Ocean Center
in development  of exhibits and training of  staff members for the aquarium.

5.) We  continue to work on 4 grants awarded  to the Foundation from Coastal
Zone  Management and  the  National Oceanic  and Atmospheric  Administration
(NOAA-CRI)  through  the  Coral  Reef  Initiative.  These  grants  focus  on
publishing  an  educational  brochure  on  Hawaii's  coral  reefs,  offering
Naturalist courses on the  marine environment and constructing a web site on
the Internet  to link coral reef research  and education programs in Hawaii.

6.) Members  of our staff provide public  testimony on various marine issues
and serve on a  number of community advisory boards from the State of Hawaii
Coastal  Zone  Management team  to  the  local Natural  Area Reserve  System
advisory group (e.g. Ahihi-Kinau).

These efforts  have demonstrated  effective community involvement  in marine
research and education. In  addition to contributing to our understanding of
the  marine ecosystem  in  Hawaii, we  now have  enhanced the  Pacific Whale
Foundation's ocean outreach programs  for the general public. These programs
include educational marine excursions, on-site classroom visits, elderhostel
lecture   series    and   field   trips   with    local   school   children.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to thank Earthwatch and the Pacific Whale Foundation and its members
for funding  our field research efforts.  Robin Newbold, Jonathan Hultquist,
Allan  Ligon  and  Tammy  Wenham  were  instrumental in  the  fieldwork  and
preliminary data analysis. Additional  thanks go to Lahaina Divers for their
incredible support  throughout this project in  terms of SCUBA equipment and
tank  rental.  Special thanks  go  to  support staff  of  the Pacific  Whale
Foundation for  their volunteer assistance  in the field and  office. We are
also grateful to Dr. Paul Jokiel and Dr. Fenny Cox from the Hawaii Institute
of Marine Biology and Dr. Brian Tissot from the University of Hawaii at Hilo
for  their   assistance  in  field  methodology   and  experimental  design.

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