January 2021 Newsletter
PacIOOS Updates
Now Hiring: PacIOOS Instrumentation Specialist
PacIOOS is seeking applications for a full-time Instrumentation Specialist responsible for coordinating, managing, and maintaining an operational wave buoy network across Micronesia. The Instrumentation Specialist will site, deploy, and operate new directional Waverider wave buoys in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Additionally, this position will serve as the liaison for PacIOOS’ Wave Buoy Program in Micronesia, which includes coordinating and collaborating with local partners and stakeholders, as well as providing technical capacity training to build regional ocean observing capacity. The position is based in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, and currently limited to 2-years with possibility of extension dependent upon program needs and funding availability. Learn more about the job opening and find out how to apply. Please share this posting with potentially interested candidates. Closing date is February 12, 2021. [Photo: PacIOOS wave buoy off Majuro, Marshall Islands. Credit: PacIOOS/K. Millikan]
PacIOOS 5-Year Proposal Submitted to IOOS
PacIOOS submitted its 5-year core funding proposal to the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) at the end of December 2020. Preceded by a multi-month engagement process, we received more than 370 comments articulating local and regional coastal and ocean observing needs. A huge mahalo to all our partners, users, and supporters for submitting input, outlining gaps, and suggesting collaborative projects. The focus of the next five years will be to sustain existing ocean observations and forecasts, and strive for a more balanced system throughout the entire Pacific Islands region. The 5-year proposal, in conjunction with a 10-Year Outlook, will help guide PacIOOS' operations in the upcoming years and identify priority projects and collaborations. For more information, please contact PacIOOS Director, Melissa Iwamoto. [Photo: Young Marshallese surfer at Arno Atoll, Marshall Islands. Credit: Grant Bilyard]
IOOS News
Reauthorization of Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act
Congress unanimously passed the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act, thereby reauthorizing the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) through FY2025. Signed into law on December 31, 2020, the Act provides the foundation for coordinating observing efforts of federal agencies and regional systems. It also establishes the standards and protocols for integrating federal and non-federal data to provide users with seamless access to the most important information. Reauthorization further strengthens the program and ensures continuation of innovative partnership to collect, manage and deliver critical information about our coastal oceans and Great Lakes.
PacIOOS Tools and Instruments
Wave Buoy off Maui Redeployed
Just in time for a large winter swell, the PacIOOS wave buoy off Pauwela, Maui, was redeployed in mid January. Located on the North Shore of Maui, the buoy now continues to provide information on significant wave height, period, and direction, as well as sea surface temperature in 30-min intervals. In addition to the real-time data, PacIOOS also provides a high resolution wave forecast for the buoy location. Data management is made possible through long-term partnerships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP). [Photo: Early morning redeployment of the Pauwela wave buoy. Credit: PacIOOS/K. Millikan]
X-Large Winter Swell in Hawaiʻi
On January 16, an extra large Northwest swell arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. Both the PacIOOS Pauwela, Maui, wave buoy and the Waimea, O‘ahu, wave buoy measured significant wave heights of 18-19ft. While these wave heights did not break the standing records of 25ft and 29ft, respectively (caused by a winter storm in February 2019), the latest swell generated impressive wave faces in low-wind conditions. As predicted by the PacIOOS Wave Run-up Forecast for the North Shore of O‘ahu, the swell also led to wave run-up, overtopping, and erosion along the shoreline. [Photo: Large waves on the North Shore of O‘ahu. Credit: PacIOOS]
Partner Updates
Identifying Locations of Coral Reef Climate Resilience
To support coral reef management in Guam and American Samoa, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) embarked on a project to identify areas of coral reef habitats that are more likely to withstand climate change. The project aims to engage local coastal and marine resource managers to examine where resilience-based management strategies could be suitable. Such strategies include restoring coral in areas with good conditions for coral survival; protecting naturally fast-recovering coral; or controlling algal smothering of damaged reefs before they can recover. The Regional Ocean Data Sharing Initiative team in the Pacific Islands identified this project as a way to help address coastal management information needs. This effort is funded by NOAA and the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC). [Photo: Partially bleached coral reef in American Samoa. Credit: Catlin Seaview]
Data Management
New Tsunami Hazard Maps for Agat Coast and Marina, Guam
Professor Kwok Fai Cheung, Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering at SOEST and PacIOOS co-investigator, along with his team developed new high-resolution tsunami hazard maps for the Agat Coast and Agat Marina on the southwest shore of the island of Guam. The Non-hydrostatic Evolution of Ocean WAVEs (NEOWAVE) regional tsunami models are categorized by earthquake magnitude and subduction zone. The data products include nearshore hazard maps of surge, drawdown, and currents for potential advisory and warning-level tsunamis from sources at the Mariana, Nankai, Philippine, and New Guinea subduction zones. The data are available for download in PacIOOS' data catalog, with links to THREDDS and ERDDAP. These modeling efforts are made possible through funding support from NOAA's National Weather Service and in partnership with the Guam Department of Homeland Security. [Photo: Hazard map for tsunami surge at the Agat Coast.]
PacIOOS User Stories
Forecasting and Communicating Weather and Ocean Conditions in American Samoa
Joe LaPlante was born and raised in Upstate New York and had a passion for weather since the age of 5. After graduating with his meteorology degree from SUNY Oswego, he has worked in various capacities, including as a broadcast meteorologist for a local TV station, and as a forecaster for cargo ships and cruise lines. Joe moved to American Samoa in 2019 and is now serving as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service Office (WSO) in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

The PacIOOS wave buoy located in American Samoa's coastal waters is the only direct observation site for the territorial coastal waters and therefore an essential tool for the WSO. The real-time wave data provides Joe and his colleagues with the information needed to accurately forecast coastal and ocean conditions, and to disseminate watches and warnings of potentially dangerous conditions such as high surf, rip currents, and rough seas. Additionally, Joe likes to use PacIOOS Voyager to access various datasets, such as the high-resolution wave models for Tutuila and the Manu'a Islands. Joe and the WSO team provide daily weather and ocean forecasts through social media and other outlets, and also hold specialized briefings for American Samoa leadership in case of severe conditions (e.g., Tropical Storms). [Photo: Joe shares the latest weather updates via social media. Credit: WSO Pago Pago]