After launching the new PacIOOS Wave Run-up Forecast for West Maui in June, the project team continues to meet with relevant stakeholders to introduce the forecast. The tool predicts high wave flooding for the upcoming six days along West Maui's shoreline to help increase preparedness and coastal resiliency. This month, a virtual meeting was held with departments from the County of Maui to discuss possible applications for county procedures. Additional presentations will be offered to interested stakeholders to ensure the relevance of the tool.

In addition to the 6-day forecast, the team is currently modeling high-resolution inundation impacts for West Maui for a suite of wave and sea level conditions. These long-term planning scenarios will be made available in a separate tool. The project is funded by NOAA's Regional Coastal Resilience Grants program, along with additional support from the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, and PacIOOS. [Photo: One of the 12 regional wave run-up forecasts for West Maui, showing potential for high wave flooding in the red-shaded area.]

Earlier this month, the PacIOOS data management team migrated data servers, which resulted in a temporary downtime of the PacIOOS website, Voyager, and data servers. Subsequently, we also experienced issues with some of the PacIOOS models and data tools. The team has addressed these problems, and all services are back up and running. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and we appreciate your continued support and feedback. Please contact us with any questions at [email protected]. [Photo: PacIOOS servers are located at the University of Hawai‘i Information Technology Center on Mānoa Campus. Credit: UH ITS]

Han Quach, a recent graduate from the Global Environmental Science program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, investigated the "patchiness" of marine debris on O‘ahu for her senior thesis. The prevailing theory is that the windward side gets more marine debris than the leeward side due to the constant onshore trade winds. However, various datasets showed that the debris was high in very specific areas all around the island. Using surface currents from the PacIOOS ROMS reanalysis and tide models, Quach ran a particle tracking program to find out that the deposition is likely from individual events and not the mean over time. [Photo: While marine debris can come in many colors, the figure shows reverse trajectories of particles for a specific run in 2016: the red stars along the coast are the landing points of the debris and the lines trace out where the debris came from.]

The Integrated Ocean Observing System Association (IOOSA) is seeking applications to fill a one-year fellowship to help improve IOOS' ability to serve and engage underserved communities. The successful candidate will work with the national network of regional associations and the U.S. IOOS Office to identify and amplify existing efforts, assess needs, brainstorm additional opportunities and develop recommendations to facilitate more diverse engagement. The fellow will also conduct a qualitative assessment of how equitable national and regional IOOS services are and identify opportunities for improvement. This fellow will be working remotely; salary and benefits are commensurate with experience. The application period ends September 10, 2021. [Photo: Culturally diverse staff from PacIOOS engage with public school students at an outreach event. Credit: PacIOOS]

The IOOS Association released a white paper addressing IOOS' contribution and role in detecting the coastal climate signal and its manifestation through impacts such as sea level rise, marine heat waves, harmful algal blooms, and ocean acidification. The paper includes high-level recommendations to meet community needs in a changing climate, including key investments into regional scale modeling, modernization of observing infrastructure, and focus on technological innovations. The white paper also highlights regional case studies that illustrate how IOOS is using data products to reach different audiences, including underserved communities, in the face of climate-related hazards. [Photo: Cyanobacterial bloom in Lake Erie. Credit: NOAA GLERL]

Extension specialists from the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program developed a Climate Change & Sea Level Rise technical resource paper focusing on the North Shore of O‘ahu. With ongoing coastal hazards, including coastal erosion and flooding, the report provides an overview of the current conditions and recommendations based on the latest and best available science. The paper intends to inform the community and other stakeholders of the North Shore, as well assist the City & County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting and other offices with regards to coastal hazards, climate change, and coastal zone management policy development and decision-making. The paper was funded by the City & County of Honolulu and written in support of the ongoing update of the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan. [Photo: Aerial view from Sunset Beach towards Rocky Point on the North Shore of Oʻahu. Credit: Shellie Habel, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant]

Originally from the coast of Southern California, Don McLeish fell in love with the island of Maui on a surf trip during high school spring break in 1969. While he continued to live in California, working in the marine and boatyard industry for over 25 years, his connection to the islands remained strong, and all of his vacation time was spent on Maui. His passion for the ocean evolved from surfing, to snorkeling, to photographing marine life. In 2006, Don moved to Maui "mostly retired," ready to visit the ocean daily and take on new challenges. As Don learned more about the issues that our reefs and shorelines are facing, he captured photos of marine animals and coastal conditions that are of value to various scientific efforts. Don's photography has supported NOAA studies of green and hawksbill sea turtles, and he also serves as a volunteer for the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute Sea Turtle Response and Rescue Team.

Along with many other committed community scientists, Don has provided invaluable photos of the Maui coastline to document impacts of wave run-up, including drone footage that offers a unique perspective. This photo database was the foundation to calibrate the newly developed PacIOOS Wave Run-up Forecast for West Maui. "My motivation as to taking the time and effort of gathering images is simple. I care about this paradise I love and what is happening to the reefs and shoreline. I want to contribute what I can." A huge Mahalo to Don and the many naturalists and volunteers that are willing to go the extra mile to support nature, science, and resiliency -- it would not be possible without you! [Photo: An underwater selfie of Don joined by a baby squid. Credit: Don McLeish]