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PacIOOS Instruments and Tools
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Example plot for Waimea Bay, Oʻahu, combining wave buoy observations and forecasts. |
Dynamic Plots for Combined Wave Observations and Forecast
In response to user feedback, PacIOOS' website is now featuring new dynamic data plots that combine PacIOOS' wave buoy observations with wave forecast data (see example for Waimea Bay). Spectral wave information from NOAA's WaveWatch III (WW3) global wave model output is used to display different predicted wave components of the mixed sea. The 7-day forecast data refreshes every 6 hours and wave observations are updated in 30 minute intervals. Users can zoom into the timespan of interest (e.g., 1, 3, or 7 days) and hover over the graph to obtain values for significant wave height, direction, and peak period of the different wave events.
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Air temperature forecast for the insular Pacific. |
Higher Resolution Atmospheric Model for the Pacific
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Friends of PacIOOS supports coastal and ocean observation and forecasting. |
Friends of PacIOOS
If you are interested to support PacIOOS, you can now join the Friends of PacIOOS and provide a monetary contribution to support coastal and ocean observing in the Pacific Islands. Your donation will support our mission to empower ocean users and stakeholders throughout the region, by providing accurate and reliable coastal and ocean information, tools, and services that are easy to access and use. While base funding is provided through the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), additional donations and grants help to enhance and advance the PacIOOS program. With your support, we are striving to provide coastal and ocean data and information necessary to save lives and protect livelihoods and resources.
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Detection range of the new land-baser receiver. |
Additional Receivers to Detect Tagged Sharks
The Shark Research Group from the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology added another land-based receiver on Oʻahu to further improve detection of tagged sharks. Normally, data from tagged sharks are routed solely through orbiting satellites, which have limited coverage over Hawaiʻi. Land-based receivers augment the satellite array and greatly increase the data throughput. Fin-mounted tags transmit oceanographic data as well as information about the sharks' positions and movements. The most recent addition was installed at a height of 515 meters at Camp Pālehua on Gill Ewa Lands above Makakilo and has a detection range of about 80 km offshore. Importantly, this receiver will detect transmissions made from the Kaiwi Channel and Penguin Banks, which are areas of significant interest in terms of both oceanography and biology.
PacIOOS and the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) are supporting the project as part of the Ocean Technology Transition (OTT) Project.
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ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting
The Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) is hosting the 2017 Aquatic Sciences Meeting in Honolulu. More than 1,000 researchers and delegates are coming together this month to share the latest scientific findings relating to lakes, rivers, streams, aquifers, wetlands, and the oceans. The conference theme "From the Mountains to the Sea" focuses on the connectivity of aquatic systems. PacIOOS co-investigator Dr. Jason Adolf presents the Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Phytoplankton Biomass and Composition in Groundwater-fed Oligotrophic waters off West Hawaiʻi Island during a poster session, highlighting data from the PacIOOS water quality buoy off Kīholo Bay, Hawaiʻi Island.
The Challenging Nutrients Coalition will announce the winner of the Nutrient Sensor Challenge at the ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting. The goal of the challenge was to develop more accurate and reliable nutrient sensors commercially available by 2017 for a purchase price of less than $5,000. The Alliance for Coastal Technologies conducted testing at the Hawaiʻi Institute for Marine Biology in Kāneʻohe Bay, Oʻahu, amongst other locations.
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Students learned from more than 20 professionals about possible career options. |
Career Day at Wilson Elementary
PacIOOS participated in the 14th Annual Wilson Elementary School Career Day. Staff from the PacIOOS Near Shore Water Quality Group introduced more than 50 students to a career in oceanography. Students learned about the basic requirements and skills needed, what a typical day looks like, and why marine science is important. PacIOOS is honored to help foster the next generation of curious scientists.
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Small breakout groups at the Heʻeia Science to Management Symposium. Credit: UH Sea Grant. |
Heʻeia Science to Management Symposium
The University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program convened community partners, resource managers, and researchers for the second Heʻeia Science to Management Symposium at Papahana Kualoa. Various panelists shared their perspectives and stories from Heʻeia, and described ongoing research and restoration activities. Break-out sessions allowed for small group discussions to address topics such as wetland restoration, climate change adaptation, water quality, and more. Participants identified information gaps, discussed goals and objectives, and fostered relationships to promote collaboration.
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Hawaiʻi Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Workshop
The Department of Land and Natural Resources, along with their consultant, Tetra Tech and their partners, the Office of Planning, the University of Hawai'i School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant, and the Pacific Islands Climate Science Center, held a second Hawai'i Sea Level Rise Vulnerability & Adaptation Workshop to develop a road map for sea level rise adaptation in the 21st century. More than 100 invited attendees learned about methods, results, and assumptions of sea level rise modeling and vulnerability assessment, which are being used to compile a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaption Report for Hawaiʻi. In the afternoon, workshop participants gathered in breakout groups to refine draft recommendations relating to policy, planning, natural and cultural resources management, emergency/floodplain management, design and construction, financing and incentives, and governance.
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Students compete in the finals of the Aloha Bowl. |
Marine Science Enthusiasts Compete in Aloha Bowl
The Hawaiʻi Ocean Sciences Bowl was hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program this past month. As part of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), high school students compete in groups of four to test their knowledge on marine science subjects through
buzzer questions and more complex team challenge questions
. The team from Kalani High School won this year's "Aloha Bowl" and will compete in the NOSB Finals Competition in Corvallis, Oregon. PacIOOS was excited to support the event and to see so much dedication in action. Congratulations to all participating teams!
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Karl Fellenius demonstrates the nearshore sensor to students. |
Kommol Tata, Karl!
PacIOOS would like to take this opportunity to thank Karl Fellenius, who has served as the PacIOOS Liaison for the Marshall Islands over the last 3 1/2 years in his position as University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Extension Agent. Based on Majuro Atoll, Karl played a key role in our efforts to advance the PacIOOS wave run-up forecast for Majuro and Kwajalein. Through diligent on-the-ground validation and documentation, PacIOOS was able to refine model output to enhance predictions of possible wave inundation in the low-lying atolls. Karl also maintained the PacIOOS nearshore sensor located at Uliga Dock, Majuro.
Through his expertise, experience, and enthusiasm, Karl managed to engage stakeholders throughout the Marshall Islands on a variety of coastal issues. PacIOOS is grateful for the meaningful partnerships that have formed with local agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders over the past few years. We wish Karl all the best for his future endeavors throughout the Pacific Islands region!
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