About the authors Kathleen Aki, Graduate Assistant, Sea Grant Extension Service, University of Haw Jacquelin Miller, Associate Environmental Coordinator, Environmental Center, University of H Joseph R Mobley, Jr., PhD, Associate Professor, University of Hawaii - West Oahu Peter J. Rappa, Team Leader, Coastal Resource Extension Agent, Sea Grant Extensio University of Hawaii Michelle Yuen, Student Assistant, Sea Grant Extension Service, University of Haw manuscript and made many helpful suggestions. This paper is funded by a grantlmperative agreement from the National Oceanic andhospheric Administration (NOAA). The views expressed herein are those of the anbra and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its sub-agencies. This is areport of the University of Hawaii pursuant to the National Oceanic and AMospheric Administration Award No. NA36RG0507. Sea Grant year 26 ~ojectno. RIME-6 Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. UNIHI- SEAGRANT-MR-94-06. A SITE CHARACTERIZATION STUDY for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Prepared for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by I I University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology I About the authors Kathleen Aki, Graduate Assistant, Sea Grant Extension Service, University of Hawaii Richard Brock, PhD, Associate Researcher and Fisheries Specialist, University of Hawaii Jacquelin Miller, Assoc&ateEnvironmental Coordinator, Environmental Center, University of Hawaii Joseph R. Mobley, Jr., PhD,Associate Professor, University of Hawaii - West Oahu Peter J. Rappa, Team Leader, Coastal Resource Extension Agent, Sea Grant Extension Service, University of Hawaii David Tarnas, West Hawaii Extension Agent, Sea Grant Extension Service, University of Hawaii Michelle Yuen, Student Assistant, Sea Grant Extension Service, University of Hawaii Acknowledgements \\ The authors gratefully acknowledge the Sea Grant Communications Oftice, for providing editorial and production support in completing this publication. Special mahalos to Ms. Kim Des Rochers, editor, and Ms. Diane NaKashima and Ms. Naomi Nakakura, publication specialists, for spending many hours putting this report into final fonn. We also extend our thanks to those .people . who revlevved various parts of the m&uscript and made many helpful suggestions. This paper is funded by a granUcwperative agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospher~cAdministration (NOAA) The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its sub-agencies Thls is a report of the U~versityof Hawaii pursuant lo the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admistration Award No. NA36RG0507. Sea Grant year 26 project no RIME-6Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. UNW- SEAGRANT-MR-94-06. A SITE CHARACTERIZATION STUDY for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary March 1994 Prepared for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology i Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction and Report Summary Peter J. Rappa Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 General Summary ............................................................................................................................... 3 Physical Oceanographic CondIbons. ...................................................................................... 3 Nearshore Marine CommumUes ................................................................................................... 4 Cetaceans in Hawcuian.. Waters ..................................................................................................... 5 Other Threatened and Endangered Species .................................................................................. 5 Traditional Uses of the Marine Environment ............................................................................... 5 current and Potential uses ........................................................................................................... 6 Management Issues Related to Activities and Uses in Sanctuary Waters .................................... 7 Chapter 2 Review of the Physical Oceanographic Conditions Within the Designated Sanctuary Jacquelin Miller . Data Sources ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Geology ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Geomorphology/Bathymetry ...................... ...................................................................................... 9 Meteorology and Climatology ......................................................................................................... 10 ChemistryNater Quality ............................................................................................................... 12 oceanography .................................................................................................................................. 14 summary .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Recommendations ............................................... ........................................................................... 16 References ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 3 Nearshore Marine Csrnrnunities Richard Brock Data .$ol~~ces.................................................................................................................................... 19 Generalizations on the Ecology of Hawaiian Reef Species ............................................................ 19 Shoreline Ecosystems ...................................................................................................................... 20 Subtidai Ecosystems ........................................................................................................................ 22 Disturbance to Hawaiian Shallow Water Ecosystems ..................................................................... 24 Natural Disturbance .................................................................................................................... 24 Anthropogenic Disturbance ........................................................................................................ 25 Sedimentation .................................................................................................................................. 25 Sewage ............................................................................................................................................. 26 I iii Thermal .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Introduced Species ........................................................................................................................... 27 Overfishing ...................................................................................................................................... 29 Site Specific Studies ........................................................................................................................ 29 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 30 References .......................................................................................................................................30 Appendix 3.1 ................................................................................................................................... 37 Chapter 4 Cetaceans in Hawaiian Waters Joseph Mobley, J,: Data Sources .....................................................................................................................................47 Protection, Legislation. and Management ....................................................................................... 47 1993 Marine Mamm& Survey ...................................................................................................... 47 Cetacean Species Resident in Hawau .............................................................................................. 48 Bottlenosed Dolphins .................................................................................................................48 False Killer Whales ....................................................................................................................49 Spinner Dolphins ............................................. .......................................................................... 50 Spotted Dolphins ........................................................................................................................ 51 Odontocete Prey Species ............................................................................................................. 51 Predators ....................................................................................................................................