ocean

A comprehensive survey of Hawaiʻi’s nearshore ocean water quality has just been completed by a team of researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Using a fleet of autonomous sailboat-like vehicles known as Saildrone Explorers equipped with sensors, researchers were able to survey more than 20,000 nautical miles of Hawaiian waters.

A tiny marine species called the Hawaiian bobtail squid is full of big surprises. The invertebrates are native and endemic to Hawaiʻi and live in shallow reef flats. They’re reddish or brown in color, have eight arms and might call to mind a baby squid or octopus. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol spoke with a researcher working to unveil some of their mysteries.

The state Department of Health has fined the City and County of Honolulu more than $434,000 for discharging liquid waste exceeding permit limits from its wastewater treatment plant into Kailua Bay. The DOH said the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant showed levels exceeding permits for enterococci bacteria, an indicator of fecal material in water.

Gov. Josh Green has signed a law that gives the state Department of Transportation the ability to delay or deny entry and departure for any vessel that is known to have engaged in illegal deep-sea activity. The extraction and excavation of materials through deep-sea mining pose potentially serious threats to environmental and human health. HPR's Taylor Nāhulukeaokalani Cozloff has more.

Three Saildrone Explorers, uncrewed surface vehicles used to measure ocean data, embarked on a six-month journey around Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi to evaluate ocean health across the state.

Members of the navigation team will help to create a management plan for Maui’s nearshore waters.

Hawaiʻi Island community members share differing outlooks on conservation and public access to Waipi'o Valley; Multi-agency strike force nets over 13,000 pounds of illegal fireworks; Reviewing upcoming county ballot questions; Ocean awareness training helps participants understand marine environment

Hawaiʻi fishermen have the opportunity to reel in compensation for the fish they catch. NOAA is collecting mahimahi stomachs to study their diets. Fishermen who donate mahimahi will be compensated with gift cards to local fishing stores.

The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is partnering with the Palau National Weather Service and other organizations in the region. They recently deployed a Waverider buoy, the only buoy of its kind in Palau. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more.

Environmental leader reflects on personal mission to protect the ocean and clean up coastlines; New Windward Oʻahu preschool helps meet rising demand for early education; Lessons learned from the pandemic; Readers invited to rediscover Hawaiʻi through Mark Twain's perspective