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CRAMP Study Sites: Puamana, Island of Maui

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

Geographic Name: Puamana

CRAMP Site Code: MaPua

Geographic Coordinates:

South of Lahaina

20° 51.369‘ N; 156° 40.033‘ W

20° 51.322‘ N; 156° 40.111‘ W.

Chart of the Puamana coastline. Red arrows show transect sites. (Click image for larger view.)

1993 NOAA aerial photo of Puamana. Image provided by Steve Rohmann. (Click image for larger view.)

Physical Features (Physiography):

Puamana reef in April 1997 showing partial recovery from waves generated by Hurricane Iniki of 1992. Note large number of newly recruited corals, mostly of the species Pocillopora meandrina. Hard substratum is basalt with a veneer of carbonate. Sand is largely basaltic with some fine carbonates that tend to collect on crests of sand ripples to form highly contrasting bottom patterns. Photo by Paul Jokiel. (Click image for larger view.)

Reef Structure, Habitat Classification:

Offshore Puamana is a broad wave protected fringing reef with a gradual seaward slope. This area is not normally impacted by severe storm waves but was decimated in 1992 by anomalous surf generated to the southwest by Hurricane Iniki. Nearly all coral was broken off removed by the event. The substratum was barren after the storm event, but has been gradually increasing again in coral cover. The gently sloping reef zone between 5-20‘ eventually gives way to a sandy bottom. Sedimentation can be quite substantial in this area. Runoff from terrestrial sources occurs during heavy rains. Moderate wave events resuspend and transport a great deal of the sediment and sand that is present on the reef. The lower watershed above the site was previously under cultivation for sugar (see aerial photo above), which leaves large area of land exposed during certain times in the growing cycle. Resuspended sediment causes high turbidity during periods of light to moderate wave activity.

Physical Oceanography:

Wave and Current Regime:

This reef is protected from North Pacific Swell by the Islands of Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i to the north and west. The island of Kaho‘olawe partially blocks south swell, but Puamana is vulnerable to waves from the southwest.

Adjacent Land Tenure, Land Use:

Shoreline area consists of residential units on the northern portion and a public beach park on the southern portion. This site is located at the southern edge of Lahaina town.

Human Use Patterns:

The area off the beach part is heavily used for surfing and snorkeling. The area to the north of the beach park is lightly used for recreational skin diving and subsistence fishing.

Economic Value and Social Benefits:

This area is close to the resort town of Lahaina and provides needed recreational opportunities to visitors as well as to the local population.

Status (Degree of Legal Protection):

This site is open access without marine protected area restrictions. 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, Hawai‘i).

Management Concerns (past, present and future):

Increasing urban development is expected as Lahaina town expands southward along this stretch of coastline. The presence of the beach park has increased human use locally. Shoreline development and road construction along this coast may be a contributing cause to shoreline erosion, which has a negative impact on the adjacent reef.

Cultural and Historic Importance:

This site is located near Lahaina, which is in area of considerable historic and cultural importance as demonstrated listings in the National and State Register of Historic Places.

Study Site Summary of Results

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