CRAMP Long Term Monitoring Study Sites: Nenue, Hawaii

Chart showing the Nenue Point study site. Red arrows show the location of the transects. (Click image for larger view.)

Physiography:

The coastline at Nenue Point consists of basalt lava flows with a very steep seaward slope. The ten fathom curve (60 feet) lies within 100 yards of shore. Depths in excess of 200 feet are found within 1000 yards of the shoreline. Shore entry is hazardous due to continual wave action against the jagged lava rock shoreline. Nenue Point lies on the western flank of Mauna Loa volcano and has a large watershed characterized by extensive lava fields.

Reef Structure, Habitat Classification:

Habitat at this site consists of colonized basalt. Basalt boulders are abundant inshore, grading to colonized basaltic ridges offshore that are interspersed with sand channels. A typical open coastal coral community has developed on this steep basaltic seaward slope. Relief is high and live coral coverage ranges from approximately 5 % in shallow (1-5 m depth) increasing to over 20% in deeper (greater than 10 m) water. Dead coral colonies make up a large portion of the substratum. Possibly episodic events such as Kona Storms mobilize the sand in the channels and kill areas of live coral. Pocillopora meandrina occurs abundantly in the shallows with increasing dominance by Porites lobata at intermediate depths and Porites compressa in deep water. This is a typical zonation pattern for all exposed Hawaiian coasts. This is a very typical open coastal site, ranking in the middle of all CRAMP sites in terms of coral coverage and species richness (see Status of the Reefs).

Photoquadrat from the 5m transect at the Nenue Point site.

Photoquadrat from the 10m transect at the Nenue Point site.

Nenue Point, Hawai‘i 5m

Total coral cover: 7.6%

Species Richness: 6

Dominant Species: Porites lobata

Nenue Point, Hawai‘i 10m

Total coral cover: 15.7%

Species Richness: 7

Dominant Species: Porites lobata

Photoquadrats of the 5m and 10m transects at the Nenue Point site.

Physical Oceanography:

This coastline faces west and is impacted by SW Kona Storm Waves and by South Swell. Damage to coral communities occurs on this coast during extreme wave conditions.

Adjacent Land Tenure, Land Use:

Residential and golf course near the coastline (under development). Farther up slope on the watershed is the town of Kealakekua , the North Kona region, Pohakuloa Training Area Military Reservation, Mauna Loa Forest Reserve and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Human Use Patterns:

Economic Value and Social Benefits:

In recent years commercial fish collecting has grown into a major industry on the Kona Coast of Hawai‘i. Nenue Point is part of the West Hawai‘i Regional Fisheries Management Area, which is designed to insure the long-term viability of this industry.

Legal Status (Degree of Legal Protection):

Nenue Point is designated as a Fisheries Replenishment Area (FRA). Authority for managing the marine resources within three miles (4.8 km) of the high tide mark lies with the Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources. All laws pertaining to the management of state marine resources apply (see pamphlet "Hawai‘i Fishing regulations, September 1999", 51 pp. available from Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl St., Rm. 330, Honolulu, Hawa‘ii).

Management Concerns:

Past concerns about over fishing of aquarium fish resources resulted in Act 306 and subsequent designation of Nenue Point as a Fisheries Replenishment Area (FRA). Shoreline development is a concern with regard to increased sedimentation and possible increases in nutrients and pesticides. The incident of major storm runoff from the Hokulia Development provides an excellent example of concerns surrounding development along the entire Kona Coast and the difficulty in determining environmental impact.

Scientific Importance and Research Potential:

This site offers great research potential in defining the possible impact of development on the coral reef communities off the Kona Coast. Also, this site is an important component of the West Hawai‘i Fisheries Management Program and the associated West Hawai‘i Aquarium Fish Project.

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CRAMP Study Sites: Nenue Point, Island of Hawai‘i