Hawai‘i Coral Reef Assessments Complete for 2024

In 2024, our scientists continued their effort to collect long-term, high-quality data on the coral reef communities of Hawai'i. They built upon previous surveys dating back to 2005 for the main Hawaiian Islands, and to 2000 for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. They surveyed coral reefs around the eight inhabited Hawaiian Islands, as well as four atolls within the monument. This mission also marked an effort to build and sustain long-term reciprocal partnerships that nurture Native Hawaiian engagement and the crucial integration of traditional ecological knowledge.

While some surveys were conducted from shore, the bulk of the work was carried out aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette . They assessed fish populations, oceanographic conditions, and ocean chemistry to monitor potential changes in coral reef health. The survey is part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program and informs the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program . These important long-term data paint a picture of coral reef health over time and help inform scientists, resource managers, and communities.

These surveys were last conducted in the islands in 2016 and 2019. An exciting new addition to this year's survey efforts was the opportunity to create a dedicated cultural practitioner position. A Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) scientist joined the team and used Indigenous knowledge systems to gather data.

Equally Valuing Native Hawaiian Knowledge Systems and Western Science

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument holds important cultural significance to Kānaka ʻŌiwi. It is the first mixed natural and cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage site in the United States. As the original stewards of this special place, Kānaka ʻŌiwi perpetuate ancestral knowledge, values, and practices. They maintain living relationships passed down through millennia of lived experiences and expertise of place. We are committed to equally valuing Kānaka ʻŌiwi and Western knowledge systems of learning to better understand Papahānaumokuākea, and the broader Hawaiian Archipelago. We are dedicated to co-creating equitable, reciprocal, and inclusive processes. This is the first step towards conducting collaborative and integrative research and monitoring. This monitoring incorporates multiple perspectives, knowledge systems, and values and supports Hawaiian knowledge and knowledge holders, as is outlined in the Mai Ka Pō Mai .

To make this happen, we partnered with NOAA's Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Native Hawaiian program specialist. We developed a cultural practitioner position to join the mission to Papahānaumokuākea. Because this role is a very personal one, the specific objectives of the position were co-developed with the individual to best align with their personal experiences and knowledge. We were lucky to have the cultural practitioner position filled by Nālani Olguin, who is both a Kanaka ʻŌiwi scientist and Ph.D. candidate. The main intention of the position was to begin to integrate Kānaka ʻŌiwi practices and traditional knowledge with the existing, Western science-based mission, in a way that worked for all parties.

The cultural practitioner provided opportunities for:

• Understanding place and names-integral parts of Kanaka ʻŌiwi traditional knowledge systems
• Learning about oral histories surrounding Papahāhaumokuākea and its cultural significance
• Introducing topics, providing resources, and opening discussion about the integrations and connections of traditional knowledge systems and western science
• Practicing Kānaka ʻŌiwi observational methodologies known as kilo and engaging in Huli ʻia (a tool developed by Native Hawaiian non-profit organization, Nā Maka Onaona) to document dominant cycles and seasonal changes across entire landscapes

We held several workshops prior to and during the mission for crew and scientists to learn and participate in cultural protocols and traditions. They focused on ʻŌlelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language), oli (chant), and more. They aimed to create a safe space for learning and to foster long-term learning to integrate traditional practices and knowledge systems with Western science for monitoring this sacred space.

Tom Oliver, NOAA Fisheries research ecologist, served as the chief scientist for the second leg of the 2024 mission. He reflected on the opportunities this mission provided, "Those of us given the privilege to visit these islands carry a kuleana (responsibility) to enter respectfully and properly, to be observant, to conduct ourselves respectfully, and to carry back what we've learned to implement into our daily practices. This year, we were also privileged enough to have an alakaʻi (guide) to help us learn more about this biocultural seascape through Native Hawaiian knowledge systems, values, practices, and worldview."

2024 Hawai'i Highlights

During their mission, scientists conducted 350 reef fish surveys, deployed more than 250 instruments, and collected photos for benthic surveys at more than 400 sites! Scientists created a photo gallery to document their journey surveying the coral reefs of Hawai'i. Below they've gathered a few of their highlights!

Fish Encounters

Scientists identified, counted, and sized fish to estimate fish populations. Many reef fish are endemic to Hawai'i, meaning they are only found in these islands. A few examples are in the photo below, including the milletseed butterflyfish or lau wiliwili, in yellow, the saddle wrasse or hīnālea lauwili in the foreground, gold ring surgeonfish or kole with gold ringed eyes, and finally in the background there is the bandit angelfish!

During underwater surveys, scientists were especially thrilled to see some rare species, such as the masked angelfish (at Hōlanikū and Manawai, two atolls in Papahānaumokuākea. This fish is only found in the Hawaiian Islands and is usually found at deep depths, down to almost 500 feet. But during a survey this fish was spotted much shallower, around 30 feet!

Several scientists were able to get up close and personal with Galapagos reef sharks in Papahānaumokuākea. Many sharks in the monument are curious, as they're not used to human presence. They come in close for a look at the strange beings producing bubbles underwater.

Resilient Corals

Around the island of Kaho'olawe, scientists were happy to find pockets of thriving coral reefs. Scientists and managers can learn a lot about the reefs around this island as it is a protected area. It is recovering from the many years (1941-1990) it was used by the military as a bombing range.

The corals in the monument have been through a lot, including a major hurricane in 2018, and major bleaching events in 2019 and 2022. Not only did scientists confirm the survival of some large colonies, they also saw high densities of smaller colonies, which is a good indicator of recovery.

Ocean Temperatures and Conditions

Scientists deployed instruments and collected water samples to understand how favorable conditions are for coral growth and how ocean conditions are changing. We installed underwater recorders on the reef to measure temperature during marine heatwaves. We collected seawater samples to monitor long-term trends in ocean acidification.

Calcium carbonate is the material corals and other calcifying organisms use to build their skeletons, which is important for reef growth. Scientists conducted carbonate budget assessments at each of the islands and atolls in the main Hawaiian Islands and Papahānaumokuākea. This was a new addition to our coral reef monitoring this year! As part of these assessments, scientists collect data on organisms that create reef habitat by building their hard skeletons (including corals and calcifying algae). They also collect data on organisms that remove reef material (including urchins and parrotfish). They use this information to calculate how quickly reefs are growing through time. Reef growth rates in the Hawai'i tend to be slower than many other places in the U.S. Pacific Islands due to cooler temperatures and less-favorable water chemistry.

Surveying Eggs and Larval Fish

Ichthyoplankton are the eggs and larvae of fish that drift in the ocean currents. Scientists collected samples of them in Papahānaumokuākea by towing a mesh net along the ocean's surface. These samples will help us understand how the waters of Papahānaumokuākea are used for spawning and early life habitat for a range of species. This includes reef fish such as uhu and kala, and pelagic species such as ʻahi, aʻu, mahimahi, and ono. Another valuable component of this work is connecting this field of study with ʻōiwi methodologies. This includes considering cultural protocol when sampling. It also includes collaborating with the Cultural Working Group to develop or revitalize inoa Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian names) for the species and life stages we observe in this research. Some either do not presently have Hawaiian names or have names that have been lost.

Looking Ahead

The team is excited to continue collaboration with Kānaka ʻŌiwi to perpetuate ancestral knowledge, values, and practices, and incorporate with Western science methodologies and related findings. This mission marks the first step in growing a long-term pilina (relationship), which will take time and thoughtful collaboration.

After a thorough review process, we will share the data with local management agencies. We will make them publicly available, and work on producing summary data products. You can search and download data from previous surveys in Hawai'i and other communities around the Pacific using the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Data Visualization Tool . You can also look at data summaries like coral cover over time.

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