RESEARCH PROJECT

On the east side of Moku o Keawe (Hawai‘i Island), along the Keaukaha coastline, there is a valuable and critical resource known for its brackish water habitat. This ecosystem occurs in the near shore zones where upwelling groundwater and marine seawater meet at the shoreline. Brackish water habitats serve as a sustainable food source for coastal communities and as a result, the environmental health of these systems is closely tied to the survival of many Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) cultural practices. This study assesses the potential impacts of climate change on the coastline of Keaukaha in the Hilo district of Hawai‘i Island. Sea-level rise, in particular, is of growing concern for the community because the low-lying coastal zone relies on the sustainable brackish water ecosystem. Saltwater intrusion could drastically alter not just the habitat, but also impact the cultural practices since many traditions are associated with these environments. For example, there are traditional gatherings at loko i‘a (Hawaiian fishponds) and storytelling during the gatherings that teach the Kanaka Maoli cultural practices. This study will focus on the impacts of climate change on loko i‘a, but it will also seek to determine if Hawaiian fishpond restoration is advantageous for mitigating environmental changes to the brackish water ecosystems of Keaukaha, Hawai‘i.