Research

Damage to Mokauea, from Westernized development and the US military, destroyed the island’s traditional loko iʻa. Today, a non-traditional, 50 by 100-yard fishpond remains on the east end of Mokauea Island constructed by the US Navy in efforts to create an education program for local students to learn about traditional fishing practices. However, the pond was not properly built causing circulation issues that contribute to its current shallow depth and poor water quality. Research is now taking place to analyze the fishpond’s water quality to understand how to best address its water quality issues in the hopes of restoring it to a productive and plentiful loko iʻa.

Research efforts are performed by the collaboration between the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu and the Mokauea Fisherman’s Association, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF TCUP SGR Award 1819953).

SMART Coastlines Monitoring System

View Moakuea loko iʻa’s various water parameter measurements in real-time through the SMART Coastlines Monitoring System developed by the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawaiʻi.

Parameters measured include:

  • Water temperature
  • Dissolved oxygen
  • Salinity
  • Electrical conductivity
  • Water level
Smart Coastlines

Student Research: Analyzing the Suitability of Mokauea Loko ʻa Water Temperature & Salinity for Water Restoration Via Oysters

Screenshot of Native Science Report article on Analyzing Sustainability of Mokauea

This paper was rewritten by UHWO student researcher Sydney Millerd and was selected as one of four papers published to the Native Science Report’s 2019-2020 Student Research Showcase.

Abstract: Mokauea Island was once part of a productive food system in the waters of Keʻehi, which held more than 40 ancient Hawaiian loko iʻa (Hawaiian fishponds). However, as a result of dredging and westernized “development,” the food system including its loko iʻa were destroyed. Today, a non-traditional fishpond remains on the east side of Mokauea Island. However, its poor design resulted in poor circulation and was not suitable for fish production. Therefore, in an effort to restore the pond, oyster cultivation is being considered. With the advice of an oyster-expert, Pacific oysters are particularly being considered since water temperature and salinity are critical factors that contribute to the success of oysters. A statistical analysis of one-year bottom and surface water temperatures and salinity data from May 22, 2019 to May 22, 2020 is performed to explore the suitability of Mokauea loko iʻa in terms of its water temperatures and salinity levels.

Ka Puna O Kaloʻi: UH West Oʻahu senior’s research paper about Mokauea fishpond published in Native Science Report

More research coming soon!