Ocean Blog

Free annual Surfers Healing camp scheduled this weekend at Richardson Ocean Park in Hilo, giving keiki with autism and other disabilities the unique experience of catching some waves with professionals.

Collaboration of conservation divers successfully removed and relocated nearly 11 years of coral growth from a decommissioned fish farm pipe ring during complex 3-day operation in West Hawai‘i waters.

Bacteria levels of 1,652 per 100 mL were detected during routine monitoring. Another water sample was collected and the site is being retested.

Yearling RS52, a juvenile male born on Lānaʻi, was rescued Oct. 17 from Maui as part of a special intervention mission after being identified in late September as losing significant weight and becoming progressively less energetic and continuing to thin throughout the next few weeks.

Large, breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet are forecast in the advisory areas, increasing to 8 to 12 feet Friday.

Peak monthly high tides will cause isolated minor flooding from late tonight through Sunday morning along island shorelines and in low-lying coastal areas.

The department is retesting waters at the park because of uncertainty about the representativeness of a first sample after finding bacteria levels of of 591 per 100 mL during routine beach monitoring.

Native species, including limu maneʻoneʻo, were notably absent from spring-influenced areas despite showing similar cellular characteristics to invasive species in offshore environments.

The three seals, DT12, a female pup and oldest of the group, DT48, a female pup, and DT46, a male pup, all likely weaned early at a small size, according to a press release from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.

The region of islands and atolls in the Central Pacific holds deep historical significance for Hawaiians, Marshallese, CHamorus and other Pacific cultures. They are also home to resilient coral reef ecosystems and threatened and endangered wildlife.

Every fall during seabird fallout season, from roughly Sept. 15 to Dec. 15, the fledglings leave their nests to make their inaugural journeys to the ocean. When they do, they can become disoriented by artificial light, collide with man-made structures or become exhausted and fall, making them vulnerable to automobiles and predators.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, and engages the community with the deep ocean by highligthing NOAA Ocean Exploration efforts to further understand what lies beneath the surface of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Don’t miss your chance. Today is the last day.

The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement said the divers came in with a total of 40 spiny lobsters — 16 females, three with eggs.

“On its current track, Hone will brush past the southern slopes of the Big Island tonight into Sunday morning, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large surf. Expect strong and gusty easterly winds and periods of heavy showers to continue Sunday into Monday as Hone passes south of the smaller islands.” — National Weather Service Hawai‘i Area Synopis from 12:08 p.m. today

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the entire Big Island as Hone is expected to bring increasing wind and the possibility of excessive rain to parts of the island this weekend. The storm was moving west at 16 mph. Its maximum sustained winds increased, now at 50 mph, up from 45 mph earlier this morning.

The newest detail to develop overnight was that once the storm passes by the Big Island, it is forecast to intensify, reaching hurricane strength late Sunday into Monday as it moves south of Kaua‘i and O‘ahu.

The latest forecast track issued at 5 p.m. today by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu shows Tropical Storm Hone’s center still passing south or possibly near the Big Island on Saturday night into Sunday morning as a strong tropical storm.

The storm was located 885 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 915 miles east-southeast of South Point as of 11 a.m. today, moving west-northwest at 14 mph. It could be close to hurricane strength by this weekend.

A well-defined area of low pressure continues to become more organized, producing showers and thunderstorms, and is expected to merge with a weaker disturbance. A tropical depression or tropical storm is likely to develop later today. The storm is then expected to become more powerful and move into the Central Pacific on a trek near the islands.

Another 77 matchups in the master, junior and open classes are on today’s race card, slated to start at 8 a.m. Overflow parking is now available at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.