Northwestern Hawaiian Islands GPS Survey & Benthic Habitat Characterization

Map of Northwest Hawaiian Islands

KA HUAKA'I NOHO HELE MALAMA KO'A

"The expedition with many brief stopovers to preserve the coral reefs."
Mission | Itinerary | Project Details | Related Links

Mission Statement

1. Obtain survey-grade GPS positioning of islands.
2. Obtain targeted benthic
3. Obtain gravimetric data for developing Northwest Hawaii Island geoid.
4. Obtain shallow-water bathymetry for supporting chart development and benthic habitat mapping.
5. Support Hawaii Department of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR) monitoring activities on Kure.
6. Support National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) monk seal census efforts at Necker and Nihoa.
7. Convene two workshops - One with traditional (surveyors and mappers) and one with non-traditional (managers and planners) users to discuss to the new National Spatial Reference System and how to use it.

Partners In Mission:
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Office of Coast Survey, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geodetic Survey, and the University of Hawaii
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Itinerary

Part 1: 04 August - 25 August

1. Arrival in Honolulu no later than August 1.
2. A briefing will be held August 1 to 4 on cruise goals and there will be practice sessions using the equipment.
3. Flight to Midway on August 4.
4. Board the vessel on August 5.
5. Cruise will depart on August 5 or 6.
6. Arrival in Honolulu on August 25 or 26.

Islands: Kure AToll, Midway Island, Pearl/Hermes AToll, Lisianski Island, Laysan Island, Maro Reef (visit 1)

Part 2: 26 August - 14 September

1. Arrival in Honolulu no later thatn August 22.
2. A briefing will be held on August 23 to 25 or 26 on cruise goals and there will be practice sessions using the equipment.
3. Board the vessel on August 25 or 26.
4. Cruise will depart on August 27.
5. Arrival in Midway on September 13 or 14.
6. Departure from Midway to Honolulu on September 15.

Islands: Nihoa Island, Necker Island, French Frigate Shoals, Gardner Pinnacles, Maro Reef (visit 2)
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Project Details

Complete Station List

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Related links:

1. Northwest Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Preserve - includes the Executive Orders which established the Preserve, and information about on-going activities related to its management.
2. NOAA's Biogeography Program - part of the National Ocean Service's (NOS') Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA). Includes information on this and other projects, including daily updates on projects in progress.
3. News articles:

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Map provided courtesy of the Bishop Museum

NGS logo NOAA logo

http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PROJECTS/HawaiiReef/hawaiihome.shtml

 Last Update:
Friday, 15-Apr-2011 18:04:39 EDT

For questions or comments on this project, contact Ed Carlson.