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International Coastal Cleanup on Hawaiʻi Island nets 1 ton of marine debris
Nonprofit groups across Hawaiʻi Island hosted five “Get the Drift and Bag It!” beach cleanup events last week, in collaboration with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council seeks advisory council applicants
The council ensures public participation in reserve management and provides advice to the superintendent.
New locations of ‘nuisance alga’ found in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
When National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration divers first detected the alga in 2016, it grew in lower abundances and was not yet widespread. By August 2019, the algae had grown into abundant mats of over 100,000 square feet each at Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll), outcompeting the species typically living in these ecosystems.
NOAA invests $17 million to protect Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary visitor center
NOAA is investing $17 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to protect the visitor and community center of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary from the impacts of climate change, including upland flooding, powerful storms and sand inundation. The center is located along the shoreline of KIhei.
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation awards $2 million in coral restoration grants throughout U.S. Pacific islands
The grants will support projects that directly contribute to coral restoration progression in the U.S. Pacific Islands by providing the means for capacity building and/or restoration implementation.
NOAA launches Hawaiian Islands survey of whales, dolphins and seabirds
The Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey is the only comprehensive study of its kind in the islands and takes place from July through December 2023.
University of Hawaiʻi researchers use drones to learn age-structure of dolphin groups
Using drone photography, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology are now able to determine the age-structure of free-ranging dolphin groups.
Coral nursery under construction in Kona for program to save West Hawai‘i’s reefs
For 120 miles along the West Hawaiʻi coastline, from ‘Upolu Point to South Point, fragments of coral large and small are broken every day by big winter swells, rising ocean temperatures, illegal anchor drops, and legal and illegal moorings.
Volcano Watch: Replacing Mauna Loa’s carbon dioxide; replacing destroyed station
In the latest Volcano Watch, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are looking for a new place to put a summit gas measuring station to replace the one destroyed by the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption.
Seal, turtle scientists return to Papahānaumokuākea for 2023 field season
This year marks the 50th anniversary of NOAA sending field researchers to Lalo to monitor honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) that migrate there to mate and lay their eggs.
Hawaiian monk seal spotted resting on lava rock along West Hawai‘i coast
Hawaiian monk seals haul out of the ocean for three main reasons: resting, molting and pupping.
World’s Toughest Row inaugural race kicks off in California and ends in Kaua‘i
Fourteen rowing teams from around the world departed from the shores of central California on Monday to compete in the inaugural Pacific Challenge of the World’s Toughest Row, which ends in Hanalei Bay on Kaua‘i.
Hawaiian monk seal Malama dies of blunt force trauma on O’ahu; previously treated at Big Island facility
The endangered Hawaiian monk seal Malama, who was treated for malnutrition at Ke Kai Ola’s Marine Mammal Center on the Big Island and found dead on March 12 on O’ahu, was killed by blunt force trauma — and it was believed to be an intentional killing, according to NOAA Fisheries.
Proposed National Marine Sanctuary’s public comment period ends
The national marine sanctuary nomination was submitted by the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition.
Big Island Now Poll #14: What is your favorite creature that lives in the ocean around Hawaiʻi?
World Ocean Day is June 8. In Big Island Now Poll #14 we ask: What is your favorite creature that lives in the ocean around Hawaiʻi?
Public testimony ends June 2 for designating Pacific Remote Islands a National Marine Sanctuary
The last day to provide public testimony online about the National Marine Sanctuary designation is Friday.
NOAA predicts 50% chance of above-normal cyclone activity for Central Pacific
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict a 50% chance of above-normal tropical cyclone activity for the 2023 Central Pacific hurricane season that starts June 1.
Hawaiian monk seal pup Pualani to be relocated from Waikīkī after weaning
The Hawaiian monk seal pup Pualani, who was born in mid-April on Kaimana Beach in Waikīkī, will be relocated after she is weaned from her mama Kaʻiwi.
Tipster provides photos of couple with dog too close to endangered Hawaiian monk seal
An anonymous tipster provided the Hawai’i State Department of Land and Natural Resources with photographs taken last week that show a couple posing and their dog too close to a Hawaiian monk seal on a beach within the Ka‘ena Point State Park in Honolulu County.
What was poll’s No. 1 response to seeing swimmers, snorkelers too close to whales, dolphins?
In our recent Big Island 30-second poll, we asked: What would you do if you see people swimming/snorkeling too close to whales or dolphins? We got 1,070 votes. What response came out on top?