CRAMP Home

Long Term Monitoring

Status of the Reefs

Site Selection Process

Methods

Study sites

Hawai‘i

Kaho‘olawe

Maui

Lāna‘i

Moloka‘i

O‘ahu

Kaua‘i

Ni‘ihau

Results

Cooperative Programs

Rapid Assessment

Mapping

Watersheds

Publications



Search the CRAMP Website

Navigate the CRAMP Website

Bibliographic Search

CRAMP Study Sites: Mā‘alaea, Island of Maui

Honolua -- Papaula -- Kanahena Point -- Kanahena Bay -- Mā‘alaea -- Molokini Island -- Olowalu -- Puamana -- Mahinahina -- Kahekili

Geographic Name: Mā‘alaea Harbor

CRAMP Site Code: MaMah

Geographic Coordinates:

20° 47.332‘ N; 156° 30.596‘ W 

20° 47.378‘ N; 156° 30.607‘ W

Chart showing the Mā‘alaea coast. Red arrows show the location of the transects.  (Click image for larger view.)

Management Status: Open Access

Area Description:

Mā‘alaea small boat harbor on the south central coast of Maui is a multi-use facility for recreational and commercial boaters. Originally constructed in 1952 with a single breakwater facing the south and a 12 foot deep entrance channel, it was later closed in by the east breakwater in 1958 (AECOS, 1994). It is one of only 2 berthing areas for small craft on Maui. The harbor entrance faces to the south and is subjected to strong seasonal wave action when southerly swells enter the bay. Plans for renovation of the harbor include enhancing existing harbor facilities, increasing the number of berths and construction of an additional breakwater fronting the harbor to reduce swell activity within the harbor. This action is highly controversial and has been under consideration for over 30 years.

Reef slope offshore of east mole with low relief and dominated by colonized hard bottom. Impacted by harbor with breakwater and dredged channel. High algal cover on reef indicates influence of nutrification possibly from adjacent septic systems from nearshore developments. Controversial proposed harbor expansion. Exposed to south swell.

Mā‘alaea, Maui 3m Total coral cover: 22.0%  Species Richness: 9 Dominant Species: Porites lobata	Mā‘alaea, Maui 6m Total coral cover: 13.4% Species Richness: 9 Dominant Species: Porites lobata
Photoquadrats of the Mā‘alaea site from the 3m and 6m transects.

Last Update: 04/21/2008

By: Lea Hollingsworth

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