NOAA Holling's Internship
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
In the summer of 2015 I was awarded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hollings scholarship which allowed me to conduct research within a Marine Protected Area and create a baseline study of invertebrate and algae diversity and abundance within an ancient Hawaiian fishpond. I had the opportunity to work with native Hawaiians and learn their views on marine conservation. I also volunteered at the education center at the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary where I worked to maintain an ancient Hawaiian fishpond, teach community members about celestial navigation used by the Hawaiians, and worked with local schools to teach children about ocean related topics (pollution, coral reefs, endangered species). I also was trained by the South Maui Stranding Network to learn how to respond to turtle stranding calls and communicate with the public about the endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle.
A comparative analysis of biodiversity between interior and exterior walls of the Ko’ie’ie fishpond, Maui
This study was a continuation of a project conducted in 2013 at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Kihei, Maui. The objective was to assess biodiversity and abundance of invertebrates and algae to assess the impact that the Ko’ie’ie fishpond has on the surrounding shoreline ecosystem. Littoral macroinvertebrate communities were examined using random sampling techniques along the interior and exterior portions of the fishpond wall. The total fishpond wall length was recorded by using measuring tapes along the 3 distinct walls. Fifty sampling sites were established using a random generator, and a 2x2 foot quadrat was used to record invertebrates present and percent cover of algae on the interior and exterior faces of the wall, totaling 100 transects. Thirty-nine species from 28 families of invertebrates were identified, as well as 8 species from 7 families of algae. The results suggest that the abundance of invertebrates and algae is greater outside the fishpond than within, whereas biodiversity of invertebrates was greater on the interior portions of the wall compared to the exterior. Further studies should be conducted to continue analyzing trends of marine biodiversity as human population growth rises on coast of Maui