Regions About Focus Areas Data/Products Outreach/Education Projects

September 2, 2014

Aloha from PacIOOS,

Summer may be ending, but never fear - PacIOOS has new tools, instruments, and other fun improvements to share. Read on to stay up-to-date with PacIOOS, or visit our website to learn more.

PacIOOS Data, Tools, and Instruments

Blessing of NS12 in Kihei, Maui

Photo courtesy of Rick Long.

PacIOOS Water Quality Sensors Deployed in Kihei and Kahului, Maui

PacIOOS is excited to announce the deployment of a new water quality sensor (NS12), along Kalama Beach Park Kihei, Maui, and the redeployment of the water quality sensor (NS13) in Kahului Harbor, Maui. The successful redeployment of the Kahului sensor is due to the partnership and assistance of Kahului Harbor state officials and the NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS). Water Quality Consulting, Inc., and members of Wailuku Community Managed Makai Area (Wailuku CMMA) will provide routine maintenance, monitoring and service of the Kihei and Kahului sensors, respectively. This effort would not be possible without their partnerships.

The sensors are two of many PacIOOS Water Quality Platforms throughout the Pacific. These nearshore sensors provide monthly data on water temperature, turbidity (cloudiness), salinity, depth, pH, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll concentration. Data for the Kihei and Kahului water quality sensors are on the PacIOOS website and PacIOOS Voyager (Kihei coming soon).

Track of a 4.5 m female tiger shark (122984) recently added to the PacIOOS Tiger Shark Tracking Page

NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) Features PacIOOS Tiger Shark Tracking

The PacIOOS Tiger Shark Tracking page was featured in NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) Weekly Update during the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week." Dr. Holly Bamford, NOS Assistant Administrator, included PacIOOS as one of the many programs that support the understanding and protection of sharks.

PacIOOS has also added new sharks to the Tiger Shark Tracking page. A 13.6 ft (4.1 m) female tiger shark with tag ID 137078 and a 14.7 ft (4.5 m) female with tag ID 122984 are the most recent additions to the page. Track their latest movements in near real-time, and check out where the other 14 sharks have been by visiting the PacIOOS website or PacIOOS Voyager.

Measurements of the Wailuku River flow paired with salinity and turbidity in Hilo Bay from August 1-10, 2014

Hilo Water Quality Buoy Collects Data During Tropical Storm Iselle

On August 7-8, 2014, rains from Tropical Storm Iselle pounded Hawai'i Island. These heavy rains caused an increase in discharge of the Wailuku River into Hilo Bay. Around 1:45 a.m. on August 8, the PacIOOS water quality buoy (purchased with EPSCoR Hawaiʻi funds) in Hilo Bay measured a reduced salinity of less than 5ppt, or about 14% of seawater salinity.

The PacIOOS water quality buoy also measured peak turbidity of 93 NTU, due to sediment discharge from the Wailuku River. This is the 3rd highest turbidity value on record! PacIOOS continues to review data collected during the recent storms.

A'a glider path along Hawai'i Island

Wave Glider "A'a" and Tropical Storm Iselle

Access and track the latest "A'a" wave glider mission from Liquid Robotics, Inc., a PacIOOS partner, as it measured wave heights in Hawai'i during Tropical Storm Iselle in early August.

Follow A'a using the "ocean gliders" category in PacIOOS Voyager to select the A'a2 glider mission. Use the animation toolbox to plot or animate the glider's motion over time. Click on a location to see wave measurements.

Aloha to a New PacIOOS Partner

PacIOOS is proud to welcome another Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signatory from the Republic of Palau! If your organization would like to become a PacIOOS partner, please download, sign, and return our MOA.

Palau Community College is an accessible public educational institution. It aims to meet the technical, academic, cultural, and economic needs of students and communities through opportunities that promote learning and develop personal excellence.

Mahalo and welcome!

PacIOOS Governance

PacIOOS Welcomes New Governing Council Members

PacIOOS is excited to announce two new members to the PacIOOS Governing Council:

Captain Ashley Evans, US Navy, United States Pacific Fleet
Dr. Patrick Tellei, President, Palau Community College

Mahalo to all of our Governing Council members for your unwavering support of PacIOOS and your valuable input toward our strategic planning. A list of all current PacIOOS Governing Council members is available on the PacIOOS Website.

Congratulations. We are excited to have your support and participation!

PacIOOS Activities

PacIOOS Tiger Shark Tracking Highlighted at the Turtle Bay Biathlon

In late August, Surf 'n Sea sponsored the

very first Turtle Bay Biathlon on the north shore of O'ahu. Athletes participating in this exciting event did an ocean swim fronting Turtle Bay Resort before completing a 5k trail run through Kawela Bay. Proceeds from this event went to the Hawai'i's Lifeguard and Water Safety Fund, which aims to increase ocean awareness, coastline sustainability, and environmental education.

PacIOOS proudly joined other vendors to help meet the goals of the event. The PacIOOS booth highlighted the Tiger Shark Tracking page and engaged participants and their families in interactive shark activities.

PacIOOS People

Generating Ocean Forecasts for Hawai'i's Communities

PacIOOS Turbidity Plume Model shows a "brown water" event in December 2011.

Joao Souza, PacIOOS Oceanographic Research Specialist, develops and generates a range of user-specific PacIOOS products and forecasts. Since 2012, Joao has helped to improve and expand the operational ocean forecast system for Hawai'i and several other Pacific Islands. Joao also collaborated with University of Hawai'i at Mānoa ocean scientists, Brian Powell, Ning Li, and Kwok Fai Cheung, to understand and predict the effects of surface gravity waves on ocean currents. This led to the development of high resolution forecasts along the South Shore of O'ahu, including the PacIOOS Ala Wai Turbidity Plume Model.

Currently working on a new project featuring air-sea interaction in Hawai'i, Joao states, "as an island state, knowing and predicting the ocean conditions is of particular importance." Joao's dedication generating ocean forecasts reflects his passion for addressing the needs and well-being of communities throughout the Pacific.

Joao holds a Bachelor's degree in Oceanography, a Master's in Environmental Planning, and a PhD in Ocean Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Thank you, Joao, for your hard work and valuable contributions to PacIOOS!

Based within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, PacIOOS is the Pacific Islands regional component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS�). PacIOOS is a partnership of data providers and users working together to enhance ocean observations and develop, disseminate, evaluate, and apply ocean data and information products designed to address the environmental, economic, and public safety needs of stakeholders who call the Pacific Islands home. For more information on PacIOOS, please visit www.pacioos.org.

PacIOOS | 808-956-6556 | melissa.iwamoto@hawaii.edu | www.pacioos.org
1680 East-West Road, POST 105
Honolulu, HI 96822