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CRAMP Study Sites, Island of Lāna‘i
Geographic Name: Mānele - Hulopo‘e
CRAMP site code: LaMan
Chart showing Mānele coastline. (Click image for larger view.)
This is a proposed CRAMP study site, no surveys undertaken to date, extensive ongoing monitoring program (Brock and Kam, 1999) is currently underway at this site, as well as DAR fish surveys.
Geographic Location: (20° 44.1‘ N, 156° 53.3‘W) The Mānele-Hulopo‘e Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) is located in the waters offshore of Palawai and Kamao on the southwestern coast of Lāna‘i.
Physical Features (Physiography) - General Bathymetry, Topography:
Dry rocky coastal area, less than 30 cm of rain annually (MacDonald 1940). Vegitation consists of drought resistant kiawe (Prosopis pallida), haole koa (Leucaena leucocephala) and fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum).
Exposed south facing reef with a basalt base that drops off fairly rapidly. Access to Puu Pehe Cove is difficult as the cliffs are steep, and the loosely packed lava results in unstable footing.
Reef Structure, Habitat Classification:
Moderate coral cover (20-30%) on available hard substrata. The fish fauna is quite diverse and is believed to be enhanced by localized upwelling. Puu Pehe Cove has clear water and considerable marine life. Coral growth is interspersed with sand patches, and most coral is found away from the narrow beach in about 10 to 15 feet of water.
Physical Oceanography:
This area is protected from the North Pacific winter swell, but is fully exposed to summer South Swell and Kona (south) storms. All areas can have dangerous swells and currents during these times. Hulopo‘e Bay coral reefs were impacted by storm waves generated by Hurricane Iniki in September 1992, took 5 years to recover (Brock and Kam 1999). There is some conjecture that the diverse fish fauna may be supported by localized upwelling, but this remains to be confirmed.
Adjacent Land Tenure, Land Use:
Resort and golf course development. Pineapple has gone out of production in recent years.
Human Use Patterns:
This is a very popular tourist/visitor site for reef walking, snorkeling and SCUBA diving. Commercial activities include snorkel and SCUBA dive tours. The small boat harbor at Mānele Bay adjacent to Hulopo‘epoe provides mooring and other facilities. Restrooms are available at Mānele, showers at Mānele and Hulopo‘e. Hulopo‘e Bay has large tidepools that can be explored. A shallow reef is just offshore, providing excellent snorkeling opportunities. Just outside the western edge of the bay near Puu Pehe rock is "First Cathedrals", a popular SCUBA destination. subsistence fishing occurs by hook and line from shore.
Economic Value and Social Benefits:
Termination of pineapple production, the major industry on Lāna‘i, created economic hardships for many residents. The marine resources of this area are very important to the tourism and resort development, which are becoming important economic factors in this area.
Status (Degree of Legal Protection):
The Mānele-Hulopo‘e MLCD was created in 1976 and consists of two subzones: Subzone A (Hulopo‘e Bay) is the area bounded seaward by a line from Kaluakoi Point to Flat Rock, then to Puu Pehe Rock. Subzone B (Mānele Bay) refers to the area bounded seaward by a line from Puu Pehe rock to Kalaeokahano Point. 309 acres Established 1976.
It is permitted to take or possess any fin-fish or crustacean by hook and line fishing from the shoreline in Subzone A, and by any legal fishing method except spear, trap and net other than throw-net within Subzone B. It is permissible to possess in the water any knife and any shark billy, bang stick, powerhead or carbon dioxide injector for personal safety purposes only. It is also legal with a permit to engage in activities otherwise prohibited by law for scientific, propagation or other purposes.
Prohibited activities include fishing, taking or injuring any marine life (including eggs), except as indicated in permitted activities above. It is prohibited to take or alter any sand, coral or other geological features or specimens. Rules set by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation forbid the operation, anchoring or mooring of any vessel within Subzone A, although manually propelled Hawaiian outrigger canoes may be operated but not anchored or moored in this subzone. It is prohibited to operate, anchor or moor a vessel in such a way as to damage marine life or geological features anywhere in the MLCD.
Mānele Harbor is a small boat harbor within the Mānele-Hulopo‘e MLCD formed by a breakwater within Mānele Bay. Fishing within Mānele Harbor is regulated with the harbor being divided into two areas. Area 1 refers to the shoreline portion of the entrance channel and basin, bounded seaward by a line connecting the seaward tip of the three groins along the shoreline. Area 2 consists of the breakwater portion of the entrance channel. It is permissible to use throw-nets in Area 1. Use of crab nets and hand nets for shrimp is allowed within Areas 1 and 2. Commercial Marine licensees with a Bait License may take bait-fishes. The use of any type of net within Areas 1 and 2 except as indicated above is not allowed.
Management Concerns (past, present and future):
Overfishing was the historical concern leading to the formation of the MLCD with rules that restrict fishing activity in this area.
Anchor damage and boat damage is being avoided. No motorized boats or anchoring is allowed in Subzone A. It is illegal to operate, anchor or moor a vessel in such a way as to damage marine life or geological features anywhere in the MLCD.
Development - A resort, golf course and residential area around Hulopo‘e Bay has been a recent cause of concern. The resort hotel opened in 1991, the golf course constructed between Jan-Nov 1993. construction of residential units is continuing. Area of development is approximately 450 acres. Little other development has occurred in this area aside from small boat harbor at Mānele Bay.
Human use - is a continuing concern with increasing numbers of visitors being attracted to this location.
Nutrification - water quality parameters in Hulopo‘e Bay such as nitrate, ammonia, chl a and turbidity are often out of compliance with state standards (Brock and Kam, 1999). This is a coast-wide phenomena and does not appear to be related to development.
Sedimentation - due to erosion resulting from improper land use reduces water clarity along the southern coastline of Lāna‘i following rain storms. The shift from pineapple plantation agriculture to diversified agriculture and resort development may alter previous patterns of sediment input.
Noteworthy Flora and Fauna:
Well developed marine communities.
Cultural Importance:
The ruins of the ancient fishing village of Mānele extend from the area just inland of Mānele Small Boat Harbor to Hulopo‘e Beach Park.
References:
Brock and Kam, 1999
Last Update: 04/21/2008
By: Lea Hollingsworth
Need revisions
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