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CRAMP Study Sites: La‘aloa, Island of Hawai‘i

Kawaihae -- Laupāhoehoe -- Leleiwi Point -- Ka‘apuna -- La‘aloa -- Nenue Point

Geographic Name: La‘aloa

CRAMP Site Code: HaLaa

Geographic Coordinates:

19° 30.346’ N; 155° 57.350’ W

19° 30.348’ N; 155° 57.377’ W

Chart showing the La‘aloa coast.  Red arrows show transect sites. (Click image for larger view.)

NOAA Aerial showing the  La‘aloa site. (Click image for larger view.)

Management Status: Open Access

Area Description:

This region is characterized by a rugged basalt coastline with intermittent sand pockets. Coral colonized volcanic rock and boulder habitat can be found at three meters on the prominent shelf.

Reef Structure, Habitat Classification:

Aggregated coral head habitat occurs at 10 meters. The benthic habitat is complex and rugose. La‘aloa is characterized by low coral cover and dominated by Pocillopora meandrina. This can be typical of an exposed, recently disturbed environment.

Oceanographic and Meteorological Conditions:

This site has a southern exposure (southwest swell) with occasional high surf. Due to these high surf conditions, this small beach can erode rapidly exposing the underlying basalt rock which led to the various names for this beach: Disappearing Sands, Magic Sands, Vanishing Sands, and White Sands Beach. This sand is then deposited offshore and slowly reestablished on shore by currents and waves. During periods of high surf a dangerous rip current pulls north to open ocean.

Adjacent Land Use and Influence:

This area is distinguished by upslope agricultural and conservation land. Existing residential development is in close proximity to the coastline.

Management Concerns:

Management concerns include coastal development related impacts (runoff, sedimentation, nutrification) and overfishing.

Human Use Patterns:

Residential homes line the rocky shore and the surrounding area. The CRAMP site is located just north of Disappearing Sands Beach, a popular tourist and local destination for swimming and bodyboarding. Local activities include fishing and gathering of limu, seaweeds. During periods of high south swell there are several surfing and body surfing spots nearby. During the winter, the only bodysurfing contest on the island is held here where the point break can reached heights in excess of 10 feet.

Cultural Importance:

The remains of prehistoric Hawaiian house sites and dwelling caves have been recorded from this area. A sacred temple, heiau known as Leleiwi, the bone altar was once situated near the coast.

Study Site Summary of Results

Last Update: 04/21/2008

By: Erin Naughton

Hawai‘i  Coral Reef Assessment & Monitoring Program

Hawai‘i  Institute of Marine Biology

P.O. Box 1346

Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744

808-236-7440 phone

808-236-7443 fax

email: jokiel@hawaii.edu