Program Goals and Activities
Mai ka ʻāina a ke kai: in Hawaiian this means “from the land to the sea”. Hawaiian peoples, and many Pacific Island peoples, recognize the critical link between land and sea, and the importance of managing them together. However, today, many of the traditional marine management systems have been replaced by more western management plans. In this unique program, with the spectacular and marine-rich Kona coast of Hawaii, we will explore the differences and intersections between indigenous marine management and western marine management, and the critical role that coral reef and coastal ecosystem management have in protecting these endangered ecosystems. Our team will undertake methods for surveying reefs (on snorkel), collect data on ecologically important fish and corals inside and outside protected areas, and study traditional and contemporary management. We will also explore the coastal and forest environments to broaden our perspective on the connectivity of these iconic ecosystems. This field study will be based out of a main camp with basic amenities.
Approaches to Marine Conservation and Management
The program will focus on the myriad of approaches to marine conservation and management. Students will read literature, engage in management activities, and discuss different approaches to better understand coral reef conservation in Hawaii and globally.
Traditional vs Contemporary Marine Management Practices
To understand the differences and similarities between traditional and more contemporary management practices, we will work with local practitioners to compare sampling, monitoring and management, and discuss important differences and similarities.
Indigenous Knowledge in Conservation Planning
Our aim is to gain a solid understanding of the importance of local and indigenous knowledge in conservation planning, and ways to include multiple viewpoints and approaches to solve complex environmental problems. Our team will read scientific articles, talk with local biologists, and discuss conservation planning. Students will gain an understanding of the diverse ways in which people approach conservation and management, and the importance of conserving those approaches.
Coral Reef Data Collection Methods
Students will learn to identify specific organisms (corals and fish) and will conduct snorkel surveys at several sites along the Kona coast. We will focus on sampling techniques, and collect and analyze data to assess differences and similarities between sites.
Data Collection for Long-Term Monitoring Efforts
Our team will have the rare opportunity to collect data for a long-term database to monitor specific fish and coral species at three locations along the Kona coast. We will be collecting and entering data into a database to monitor changes over time of specific fish and coral cover. Long-term databases such as these are crucial to observing change over time due to environmental and anthropogenic changes in these systems.
Data Analysis
Our aim is to ensure students understand data analysis in the context of conservation planning. We will be entering and analyzing our data to look for patterns and trends. Students will work in teams to summarize their results and draw conclusions from the data.
Please note that prior field research experience is not required, and all necessary field methods and data gathering skills will be taught on-site in Hawaii. We expect participants to arrive excited and prepared for a rigorous yet rewarding field study experience.
