May 2019 Seawords

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Seaw rds The Marine Option Program Newsletter

May 2019

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“Writing for Seawords, the monthly publication of the Marine Option Program (MOP) over the past year has greatly prepared me for this exciting opportunity. ”

MOP GOES KAYAKING BLUE PLANET FOUNDATION: CREATIVE WRITER INTERNSHIP SURFRIDER UH MĀNOA INTERNSHIP

May 2019 Articles

Volume XXXIII, Number 5

Page 3: Letter from the Editor Page 4: MOP Goes Kayaking Page 6: Critter of the Month Page 8: Blue Planet Foundation: Creative Writer Internship Page 10: Marine Mammal of the Month Page 12: Dissecting the Research Paper on Ocean Noise Pollution and its Effects on Marine Mammals Page 14: March Climate Rally Page 16: Biodiversity Under Man-Made Structures Page 17: “Type D” Killer Whales Page 18: Shipwreck of the Month Page 20: MOP Student Internship: Surfrider UH Mānoa Page 22: Ocean Art Page 24: Generation Blue Page 26: Hanauma Bay: Calendar of Events Page 27: Flashback: 1986 Page 28: MOP Calender of Events

About the Photography -Cover: Dwarf hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys falco). By: Klaus Stiefel, Flickr. -Table of Contents: Emporer angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator). By: Zsispeo, Flickr. -May Calendar of Events: Onespot demoiselle (Chrysiptera unimaculata). By: zsispeo, Flickr. -Back cover: Mandarinfish dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus). By: Glenn Marsch, Flickr. -Page 12: From top left to bottom right: Photos by: Kathleen, Flickr; Geordie Mott, Flickr; Taylor Shedd, MOP Alumnus; Kimberly Wood, Flickr -Page 13: From top left to bottom right: Kimberly Wood, Flickr; helenatlittlethorpe, Flickr; Gregory Slobirdr Smith, Flickr; Jez Torrance, Flickr. -All uncredited photos by: MOP -Disclaimer: any photo taken from flickr.com is used under the Creative Commons License and is credited appropriately with links to the user’s flickr account. 2| Seawords

Letter from the Editor

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loha!

Welcome to the May issue of Seawords! Can you believe the end of the school year is upon us? We are wishing everyone successful and quick finals! Take a little time for yourself and dive into this month’s exciting issue! Find a friendly Dugong (Dugong dugon) on page 10 to lift your spirits! After you’ve learned all about the Dugong, check out the inspiring students of MOP in their internships and extra-curricular activities on page 8, 14 and 20. Don’t forget to read about the fun we had on our kayaking trip! This month’s issue was designed with help from the future Editor, Zada Boyce-Quentin and Associate Editor, Alyssa Mincer, who will be taking over in August! We are so excited for them to make Seawords even more fantastic than it has become. n

Jenny Johnson, Seawords Editor Seawords

Volume XXXIIII, Number 5, May 2019 Editor: Jenny Johnson Dr. Cynthia Hunter (éminence grise) Jeffrey Kuwabara (éminence grise) Seawords- Marine Option Program University of Hawai‘i, College of Natural Sciences 2450 Campus Road, Dean Hall 105A Honolulu, HI 96822-2219 Telephone: (808) 956-8433 Email: <seawords@hawaii.edu> Website: <http://www.hawaii.edu/mop> Seawords is the monthly newsletter of the Marine Option Program at the University of Hawai‘i. Opinions expressed herein are not necessariliy those of the Marine Option Program or of the University of Hawai‘i. Suggestions and submissions are welcome. Submissions may include articles, photography, art work, or anything that may be of interest to the marine community in Hawai‘i and around the world. All photos are taken by MOP unless otherwise credited.

MAY 2019 |3

MOP Goes Kayaking

By: Jenny Johnson, Editor

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Photo by: Emily Gootgeld, UHM MOP Student Coordinator

OPers showed their adventurous side on the kayaking field trip to Kahana Bay. This event wasn’t like the rest of the MOP events--this one required teaming up with the Student Recreation Services (SRS) and ensured neither MOP Student Coordinator, Emily Gootgeld, nor I had to drive the big white vans. This time it was on the SRS student employees and we MOP employees could sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride (and beautiful views) on the way to Kahana Bay. SRS provided the kayaks, student guides, and vans and we provided the students. Our kayaking destination was scenic Kahana Bay, which is surrounded by the Ko‘olau Mountains and lush greenery. This calm beach is located in the Kahana Ahupua‘a and is a great kayaking spot because of the easy access to the Kahana stream. The kayaking adventure began with MOPers kayaking from the beach, through the near-shore shallow water and to the Kahana stream, where students were im-

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mediately surrounded by a wall of green trees. It was as if we had traveled back in time as we looked around at the almost untouched wilderness and saw no signs of other people anywhere nearby. A snap back to reality came from seeing a small little house, tucked away

MOP students heading to the swimming area. Photo by: Emily Gootgeld, UHM MOP Student Coordinator.

View of the Ko‘olau Mountains from the Kahana Stream. Photo by: Emily Gootgeld, UHM MOP Student. and nestled right on the edge of the Kahana stream. We continued our relaxing journey down the Kahana stream. Eventually, the stream began to narrow and our journey got a little more exciting. Tree branches, floating logs and bushes were all obstacles we tried to avoid -- some of us successfully doing so and others providing

a good laugh for the group while kayaking straight into the brush. There were no injuries and getting stuck in sticky situations a few times was well worth being surrounded by nature and the icy cold water of the Kahana stream. The student guides led us to a small swimming area where we were shocked by the take-away-yourbreath kind of cold water. Of course, the guides were smarter than us and stayed happily in their kayaks. On our way back, there were fewer encounters with the pesky tree branches, as everyone was much more comfortable guiding their kayaks. Before we could complete our kayaking trip, we had to stop at an old rope swing that looked like it had been there for many years. This time, the guides led the way and showed off their black flips and a couple belly flops as they confidently launched themselves off the rope swing. MOPers followed suit, and most looked surprisingly graceful as they swung into the water. After everyone had a turn on the rope swing, it was time to head back to the vans. The trip was one to remember, with endless laughs, selfies and lots of mud and cold stream water. Thank you to the SRS student guides for providing such a fantastic MOP field trip! n

MOPers kayak down the Kahana Stream. Photo by: Emily Gootgeld, UHM MOP Student Coordinator. MAY 2019 |5

critter of the Month By: Zada Boyce-Quentin, UHM MOP Student

Manta Ray

(Manta birostris, Manta alfredi)

Hawaiian Name: Hāhālua Distribution: Sparse & global; found primarily around Kona, Hawaii, as well as off the coast of Australia, Ecuador, Mexico, Indonesia. Size: Wingspan up to 29 feet Diet: Primarily zooplankton Coloration: Can be chevron (black dorsal side & white belly) or primarily black Habitat: Found worldwide in tropical, subtropical, & temperate waters IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

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portrait of tranquility, the manta ray undulates gently through the water. These elegant filter feeders are easily identified by their wing-like pectoral fins, gaping mouths, and diamond-shaped body. There are two species of manta ray; the giant (M. birostris) and the reef (M. alfredi). The former is distinguishable by its greater size and caudal thorn, which is widely believed to be a vestigial indicator of its relation to the stingray. Individual rays can be identified by unique spot patterns. These magnificent creatures also possess the largest brains of any fish studied thus far; they have demonstrated the capacity to differentiate between objects, retain memories, and seemingly recognize themselves in mirrors! Mantas are the world’s biggest rays and the only vertebrate to possess three paired appendages (pectoral fins,

A manta ray (Manta birostris) swims by in the waters off of Big Island, Hawai‘i. Photo by: Jeff Kuwabara, UHM MOP Coordinator. 6| Seawords

A manta ray (Manta birostris) swims by divers. Photo by: Jeff Kuwabara, UHM MOP Coordinator. gills, and cephalic lobes). This last is used primarily for feeding, pushing water and plankton into the maw of the ray. In addition to these appendages, the manta ray employs a variety of tactics to snatch up the most food. Manta rays feed by creating a sort of funnel to lead prey into their mouths, often somersaulting and ‘barrel-rolling’ through the water to scoop up a greater number of plankton.

These are slow-growing fishes with a low reproductive rate; typically, females will give birth to only one pup every two to three years. This slow population growth is a contributor to the overall decline in the number of manta rays. Commercial fishing also presents a threat to these serene giants; not only are they actively hunted for their gill rakers, which are much in demand, but manta rays are frequently bycatch. The dwindling population of mantas has earned them a label of ‘vulnerable’ on the It is difficult to establish a clear habitat occupied by the IUCN Red List. If you’d like to learn more and help to manta ray, as they are scattered around the world and secure the future of these remarkable creatures, you can thrive under a wide range of conditions. Manta rays can visit https://www.mantatrust.org/. n be found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters anywhere from 10 to 1000 meters. Additionally, mantas are solitary creatures, aggregating only occasionally following long migratory periods to feed and mate. MAY 2019 |7

Student Perspective

Blue Planet Foun Writer In

By: Kelsey Loenhorst

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first took notice of Blue Planet Foundation when I noticed their name and logo plastered over many electric vehicle charging stations throughout O‘ahu. Their advertisements caught my eye because a cute cartoon discussing how important clean energy is for our community accompanied them. I never dreamed I would be a creative writer for this very company years later.

Blue Planet logo. Photo taken from: Blue Planet Instagram. 8| Seawords

Writing for Seawords, the monthly publ (MOP) over the past year has greatly pre I have been writing two articles a mont from marine news, marine conservati news and even surf reports. Seawords h meet deadlines and communicate an idea or argument to a particular audience. I now get to apply these skills every day with Blue Planet Foundation. My duties as Blue Planet Foundation’s creative writer are basically that of a journalist. I find people in my community who are, in their own way, advocating for clean energy; I then contact them to request an interview. If they approve, I meet them in their place of business or a coffee shop, conduct a 20-30 minute interview and write their story. I am currently working on a campaign with Blue Planet that aims to collect 100 community member’s stories. Our end goal is to showcase how easy it is to get involved with clean energy and hopefully inspire them to take action. As for writing the articles, it does get a little hectic with the goal of 5 every week, but ultimately it is very rewarding to see a finished product that may inspire someone to want to

ndation Creative nternship

t, UHM MOP Student North shore, Oahu. Photo by: J. Byerly

lication of the Marine Option Program epared me for this exciting opportunity. th with Seawords discussing everything ion, critter-of-the-month pieces, scuba has taught me how to write efficiently,

help preserve our planet’s resources. So far I have interviewed 14 people, of which have been a mix of CEO’s, business owners, professors, neighbors, friends, students, artists and farmers. The range of people I get to meet is growing every day. That is my favorite part of this internship, meeting new people with such a wide range of professions who are doing their best to promote clean energy and preserve our planet. On top of that, I am making connections every day with people that are potential employers in my career path.

UHM MOP student, Kelsey Loenhorst, posing in her Blue Planet t-shirt. Photo by: Emmy Antonaras.

Without Seawords and the Marine Option Program I cannot say that I would have ever taken notice to Blue Planet Foundation’s internship opportunity or paid much attention to writing at all for that matter. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and for MOP; I also encourage all students to consider writing for Seawords and give yourself the opportunity to express yourself creatively, you never know who you’ll inspire! n

MAY 2019 |9

By: Kayla White, UHM MOP Student

Dugong

Marine Mammal of the Month:

Dugong

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Scientific Name: Dugong dugon Diet: Sea grass Size: An average of 3 meters (9.8 feet), 420 kilograms (926 pounds) Range: Indian and Pacific Oceans between 26-27 degrees north and south of the equator Habitat: Shallow sea grass meadows ICUN Red List Status: Vulnerable

he dugong (Dugong dugon) is a species of sea cow that is found in the warm latitudes of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Some might mistake it for its more popular cousin, the manatee (Trichechidae trichechus) but it is actually more

closely related to an elephant. Dugongs are the only living species from their once diverse family. Their closest modern relative was the Stellar’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), which was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.

Dugong (Dugong dugon) in Sydney Aquarium. Photo by: Jason Tong, Flickr.

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These herbivores span the waters of almost 40 countries throughout the Indo-West Pacific and are dependent on the local seagrasses in these areas. Dugongs graze the seagrass meadows that stretch the wide and shallow inland waters, but due to their vulnerability, they are disappearing from waters in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Cambodia, Japan and many more. Although they are social animals, dugongs are usually found in pairs since it is hard for seagrass beds to support

Dugong (Dugong dugon) with fish. Photo by: Niklas Flindt, Flickr. large populations. They communicate to others with Like many of its close relatives, the dugong has a long chirps, whistles, barks, and other sounds since their vi- body that tapers at both ends, with no dorsal fin or sion is limited. hind limbs. Dugongs have a fluked, dolphin-like tail that make it easy to distinguish from a manatee. They possess a unique skull and teeth that are adapted specifically for feeding on seagrass, along with a snout that points downward to make feeding much easier.

Dugong (Dugong dugon) ‘Serena.’ Photo by: foooomio, Flickr.

The dugong has been hunted for thousands of years for its oil and meat. Hunting of this animal has cultural significance in several countries which has led the dugong to be vulnerable to extinction. Despite its protection in many countries, the main cause of its population decline IS from human bycatch, fishing-related fatalities, habitat degradation and hunting, and the population has declined 20 percent in the last 90 years. With a lifespan of over 70 years, dugongs are very slow to reproduce which is why the species is struggling to escape extinction. n

MAY 2019 |11

Dissecting the Research Paper on Ocean Noise Pollution and its Effects on Marine Mammals By: Madison Thiele, UHH MOP Student

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n March 13th, the University of California published a paper on marine mammals and how they are sensitive to anthropogenic noise pollution. This paper, written by Brandon Southall, brought to light a major issue and is asking for new policy recommendations to help the livelihood of all marine mammals. The idea that noise pollution might pose as a threat to marine mammals started in the 1990’s, when oil and gas industry activities arose. This was around the time that scientists were able to identify shipping, construction and other similar activities to be major sources of this ocean noise pollution, but little was done to regulate these noises.

animals instead of putting them all in one group. In fact, scientists have been able to accurately and confidently categorize 129 species of marine animals. This has also been the first time that all marine mammals had been observed and covered. The new research paper also covers the effects of noise pollution that is found underwater and in the air, which is extremely important because both noise pollutions have an effect on the amphibious marine species that live in coastal environments, such as sea lions. Having this new published knowledge is a great step forward in understanding and regulating noise pollution policies. The research on seals, sea lions and sea otters that was used in this new paper came from the UCSC Pinniped One may think that noise pollution isn’t something to Lab which is currently run by Colleen Reichmuth, a coworry about in regard to marine mammals, but hearing author of the paper. This research has been identified as loss occurs in animals in the same way it does in humans. a breakthrough for amphibious marine mammals since But, scientists haven’t had enough information to know little research has been done on them and their hearing what the noise tolerance levels are for these creatures, before. and if they can find a “standard” for all marine mammals. Co-Author Darlene Ketten, a neuroanatomist This new paper is extremely important since it takes a stated that “the diversity of species is such that a one- look into all of the marine mammals and their sensisize-fits-all approach isn’t going to work,” which makes tivity to noise pollution, whether it is coming from the sense since no species is created exactly the same. Over ocean or the air. These new findings can be used inthe past decade, the number of research studies on the ternationally, which is very exciting because this issue hearing abilities of marine mammals has grown rapidly, doesn’t have borders. n which allows scientists to refine their grouping of the

MAY 2019 |13

March Climate Rally By: Georgia Johnson-King, UHM MOP Student

Students at the climate rally in Honolulu. Photo by: Georgia Johnson-King, UHM MOP Student.

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t 3pm on March 15, a climate rally was held at the Hawai‘i State Capitol. The location of the rally was chosen in an attempt to send a message to the government that climate change action needs to happen immediately. The peaceful rally lasted a few hours, and consisted of quiet protesters holding various home-made signs pleading for climate action. The rally was a peaceful protest with a number of speakers organized from various different back-

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Speaker at the climate rally. Photo by: Georgia Johnson-King, UHM MOP Student.

Georgia Johnson-King and friend at the climate rally. Photo by Georgia Johnson-King, UHM MOP Student. grounds, from renowned climate scientists to middle school students. The speakers included UH Mānoa’s own Dr. Chip Fletcher, who gave a motivating speech which painted a picture of a sustainable future Honolulu. The Climate Strike was part of a worldwide movement called “Fridays for Future” in which students from across the globe gather at their local town hall or government building to demand change. During the week of March 15 across the globe there were over 1.6 million climate strikers in over 2,000 places. The movement was started by a young Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg, who sat in front of her Swedish parliament every day for three weeks in place of attending school to send a message about how dire the climate

situation is. Thunberg then began sitting outside parliament every Friday and reporting about it on social media which earned the movement the name: “Fridays for Future.” The movement quickly gained worldwide attention and the rally was organized globally for the March 15. “You say you love your children above all else, and yet you are stealing their future before their very eyes,” said Thunberg at the UN Climate Conference in Poland in December 2018. Due to the mass participation in this global movement, the UN has called a climate action summit on September 23. n

MAY 2019 |15

Biodiversity Under Man-Made Structures By: Nicholas Yoshioka, UHM MOP Student

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il is found in patches all over the world. To meet today’s high demand of energy, many companies have set up offshore oil rigs to extract fossil fuels. Once a patch of oil has been completely extracted, all that is left behind is an abandoned metal structure (the oil rig) in the middle of the ocean. Many people, specifically conservation activists, protest against leaving behind these structures and try to force the government to remove them. What most of them fail to realize, however, is that these structures have been sitting in the ocean, collecting wildlife for more than 50 years. When any solid, uninhabited structure sits in the ocean, it becomes a new potential environment for animals to land on. Take kelp for example--during the beginning stages of the kelp life cycle, it takes the form of a free-floating sporophyte. Once the sporophyte finds an uninhabited substrate to land on, it begins to grow and develop into a large kelp branch. Later, an ecosystem begins to form and small critters like crabs or shrimp start to inhabit the kelp forest. This attracts smaller fish which then bring in bigger fish and,

Oil rig near Huntington Beach. Photo by: nate2b, Flickr. 16| Seawords

lastly, starts to attract megafauna like seals and sharks. All in all, it would almost make no sense in removing the oil rig if all we are doing is destroying another habitat. The questions then become: should we remove the oil rig? And what will be the cost to the environment if we do? Richard Heard, an Insite Program director, addressed this issue in his project idea to decide whether or not the removal of ocean structures like oil rigs are actually necessary. His project includes two phases. Phase #1: Observe the composition and biodiversity of marine life in the water. This includes everything from small plankton to mammals. Phase #2: Address and understand the circumstances. The point of this phase is mainly to understand the relationship between the animals and the structure and the potential consequences of removing the structure. While this project is still underway, Richard hopes to provide a new perspective on man-made structures in the ocean so that we can better protect the ocean ecosystem. n

“Type D” Killer Whales By: Kelsey Loenhorst, UHM MOP Student

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Type D” killer whales were first recorded when a group of more than a dozen stranded in New Zealand in 1955. Since then they have only been documented from amateur photographs and fishermen’s descriptions. Up until January 2019, when scientists finally located, photographed and studied the potential new species for the very first time in the wild.

ing crossbow darts; a common, harmless research technique. They will soon study the orca’s DNA, which will establish once and for all whether or not it’s a new species. (The team is currently waiting on an export permit to take the sample out of Chile.) With these samples, the NOAA team hopes to increase the knowledge on genetics, evolution, feeding preferences and resource partitioning in type Ds, and in killer whales as a whole. Type D killer whales have noticeably different characAccording to Robert Pitman, a researcher with NOAA, teristics than the popular killer whale, Type A (Orcinus “Type A killer whales mainly feed on minke whales, orca). Type D has a more rounded head, a pointier and type Bs are smaller and many eat seals and type Cs go narrower dorsal fin, and a very small white eye patch. after fish.” The team is eager to get the DNA results from They’re also several feet shorter in length. The National Type D to see what new data they can gather regarding Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) their species. scientific team made the finding about 60 miles off the coast of Cape Horn, Chile, at the very tip of South The region where they are found, between latitude 40 America. The team set off into the rough waters solely and 60, has some of the most inhospitable weather on based off of fishermen’s stories of spotting the species, the planet, with strong winds and frequent storms which they then anchored for more than a week when finally makes them extremely difficult to study. However, the the pod of about 25 showed up to investigate their ship. new photos and samples have created such excitement it’s safe to say we can look forward to more research beThe scientists filmed the whales below and above water ing done soon. n and took a small piece of skin and blubber from one us-

Mother and calf killer whales (Orcinus orca). Photo by: marneejill, Flickr. MAY 2019 |17

Shipwreck of the Month: Carthaginian By: Paula Alcoseba, UH Maui MOP Student

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ahaina on the West side of Maui is a town with a rich history. In antiquity, it served as the royal capital of Ali‘i nui Mauiloa. Kamehameha the Great preferred to live here over the bustling capital of Honolulu, and so Lahaina became the center o0f the Hawaiian government for over 50 years. It became a major whaling port and fishing town. Easy access to whale migration routes, calm ocean conditions, and endless days of sunshine made it a prime location on the island. With hundreds of ships docked at the harbor, Lahaina became the center of the global whaling industry. Today, the busy harbor welcomes more tourists than whalers.

Denmark in 1921, and it hauled cargo across the Baltic Sea for thirty years before it was sold to American businessman Tucker Thompson in 1964. Tucker Thompson sent letters to multiple film studios hoping that they would use his ship for their movies. In 1965, he was approached by the Mirisch Corporation because they needed a whaling ship for their film adaptation of the novel Hawai‘i. The Wandia underwent a transformation in the San Pedro Harbor, where it was transformed into the Carthaginian. The process involved adding chase boats, a warrior figurehead, lookout hoops, equipment for removing blubber and other whaling tools. Upon completion, Thompson assisted in sailing the ship to Hawai‘i and helped handle the ship throughout producA ten-minute boat ride from this busy harbor will take tion. you to the shipwreck Carthaginian. It is 100-feet long and it is the largest shipwreck on the island. The Car- After the movie finished in November of 1965, Thompthaginian’s original name was Wandia. It was built in son repurchased the ship and took his family on a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands and South Pacific. While anchored in Lahaina, he was approached by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation and they inquired about purchasing the ship to use it as a museum for the town’s whaling heritage. He agreed and turned over ownership of the ship after his voyage ended in January 1967. Thompson relocated to Maui and became the ship’s captain and curator until the summer of 1968.

Wreck of the Carthaginian. Photo by: Kent Buckingham, Flickr. 18| Seawords

The Carthaginian was anchored in front of the Pioneer Hotel and was filled with displays chronicling the lives of whalemen. Visitors could ex-

turning Carthaginian II into an artificial reef. Atlantis agreed to sink the ship and spent the next two years raising money for the project and preparing the ship for sinking. Atlantis spent approximately $350,000 on the project, which included environmental studies and making the vessel safe for marine life and scuba divers. Carthaginian was towed away from its anchorage on December 13, 2005. The ship’s departure was marked by placing leis on deck and holding up signs bidding it aloha as the Old Lahaina Lu‘au performed a rendition of Aloha ‘Oe.

An underwater view of the Carthaginian. Photo by: Jeff, Flickr. plore the ship’s interior to see where the whalers would spend long months at sea- there were photographs, tools and even the skeleton of a whale. The Carthaginian became a major source of income for the foundation. They periodically took the ship out to keep all of its gear in operating shape and made annual trips to Honolulu for maintenance. On April 22, 1973, the Carthaginian sunk on its way to Honolulu, there were no recorded casualties. The foundation found a replacement for its lost museum, a German-made boat called Komet. The ship was a cement carrier in the Baltic Sea and it was rechristened as the Carthaginian II. According to Kelii’s Kayak Tours, several years passed before the ship looked like a historically accurate whaling boat. The ship’s 80-foot masts, deck, spars, yards and iron fittings were all hand crafted by the foundation and 15 tons of steel and cement were added as ballast to keep it from tipping over. The new Carthaginian spent the next 32 years entertaining guests from all over the world and educating them on Lahaina’s history. As the ship grew older, the rusty steel hull became too costly to maintain. The foundation was spending $50,000 a year to keep the ship afloat during its later years. In 2003, marine engineers advised against further repairs due to increasing costs, and the foundation approached Atlantis Adventures, a submarine tour company, about

This Lahaina landmark was towed approximately half a mile offshore of Puamana Beach Park. Spectators lined the coastal highway next to the park to watch. After the ship was in position, patches were removed to uncover holes and seawater was pumped in. The Carthaginian II sank beneath the waves and a few minutes later, three blasts from a miniature brass cannon were heard. Today, this shipwreck rests 97 feet below the surface on a sandy seabed and it hosts an extensive artificial reef system; frogfish can be found all over the wreck, schools of trumpet fish, sergeant majors, orangespine unicornfish, eyestripe surgeonfish, bluefin trevallies, rainbow cleaner wrasse to name a few. If you’re lucky, you will see turtles, sharks and eagle rays here. There is typically a slight current, but the wreck is appropriate for scuba divers of beginner and intermediate skill levels. The masts have collapsed on deck, and divers can swim through the large, accessible hold. n

Prow of the Carthaginian. Photo by: Jeff, Flickr. MAY 2019 |19

MOP Student Surfrider

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am currently the outreach coordinator for Surfrider UH. When I came to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa I knew that I wanted to get involved with ocean conservation and I wanted to do my part to contribute to the solution. I befriended a girl from the floor below mine in the freshman dorms who told me about the Surfrider club on campus because she was the event coordinator. I had heard of Surfrider before, briefly, so I decided to go to their general meeting. Surfrider is a national organization tasked with a mission centered on the protection and enjoyment of our world’s ocean, beaches,

UH Mānoa Surfrider group photo. Photo by: Surfrider. 20| Seawords

and waves through a powerful activist n that I wanted to be involved with this g volunteering their time to make a diffe They were discussing their efforts to b dedication to the cause was shocking to writing the policy themselves, distributi support. I expressed my interest in join have a position open. I was quickly put t role would be.

My second semester I that would follow my wanted to create a pro dents to get involved and restoration. After organizations, I organ with Eyes of the Reef the EOR is to inform community members managers, non-gove tions (NGOs) and o tion of coral bleachin of thorns sea stars (C aquatic invasive specie is a broad outreach an that helps to provide of Hawai‘i’s Rapid Re Plan and promote com of our valuable marine ed a Level 1 training dinators Megan Ross and were introduced t important to Hawaiia

North Shore, O’ahu. Photo by: Al Case, Flickr.

t Internship: UH Mānoa

network. From the first meeting I knew group of passionate students who were erence on this campus and this island. ban plastic straws on campus and their o me. This group of seven students were ing surveys and collecting signatures of ning their team and they happened to to work after a crash course on what my

was inspired to work on my own project y personal passions. I ogram to employ stuin coral monitoring r researching several nized a collaboration f (EOR). The goal of m, engage and train s, ocean user groups, ernmental organizaothers in identificang, disease, or crown COTS) outbreaks and es. The EOR Network nd education program the critical first tier esponse Contingency mmunity stewardship e resources. We hostwith O‘ahu co-coorand Jason Mehlinger to why coral reefs are an communities, dif-

ferent coral species and the diseases and algae that affect them on a daily basis. We hope to hold another Level 1 training and get enough interest to be able to hold a Level 2 training where students could be trained more thoroughly in coral identification and learn monitoring methods to be able to analyze ecosystem health in a scientific way. Eyes of the Reef is a volunteer-based organization and they don’t have the resources to respond to every report of potential bleaching or disease. We hope to create a “UH Response Team” made up of students who are trained up to a Level 2 who can coordinate and use scientific methods to monitor a section of reef based on the reports collected by Eyes of the Reef to understand the changes that are occur in the environment and assist with an informed solution. n

UH Mānoa Surfrider members participating in a beach cleanup. Photo by: Surfrider.

MAY 2019 |21

ocean art

My Ocean Of Anxiety By: Kalia Mokulehua, HCC Student

Haleiwa sunset. Photo by: Floyd Manzano, Flickr.

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Kalia’s poem was chosen from a collection of poems submitted to us by Eric Paul Shaffer, an HCC English Professor, and written by his English 201: Creative Writing class.

The ocean and I have an anxious mind, moving back and forth like the tide, creating nausea and discomfort. Scattered thoughts break over one another like a curling wave, crashing violently on the shore. The skies of our emotions change rapidly from a light and promising blue to a solemn, melancholy gray. Clouds of doubt blur our vision of what lies ahead. the ocean and I are afraid, and we cry, but end up swallowing waters of our own negativity, drowning and trying to grasp for air and grasp for help above, for anything to keep us alive. After much concentration, the powerful storm stops, fading away as if the storm was under our control the entire time. The waves of our mind become still and serene, and the ocean and I finally have a moment of peace. I sigh in relief and embrace the ocean with open arms of comfort because I felt the ocean’s pain as if the pain was my own. n

MAY 2019 |23

Actions for the Ocean

GENERATION

BLUE By: Alyssa Mincer, UHM MOP Student

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ith convenience in mind, the vast majority of the populations of the world reside in an urban setting, a lifestyle that encourages methods of simplicity and ease; this includes the usage of vehicular transportation, the construction of housing complexes and the ongoing building of factories and stores. By accommodating for the growing number of individuals on the planet, each of these elements, guilty of pollution production, contribute to the visible degradation of nature reserves across the globe. Environmental degradation may result in both current and future generations struggling to fully envelop the allure that nature emits upon its surroundings, an idea that presents a multitude of complications. Although not a permanent solution, the incorporation of plants in an urban environment, either scattered throughout a city landscape or situated in a pot by a windowsill in an apartment, can significantly boost the wellbeing of affected life, simply through ‘plant power.’ The latter method of preserving flora in a personal residence is a manageable method that requires minimal effort and provides bountiful benefits. By following a few guidelines towards proper care of houseplants, nature can gradually mold its way into the lives of many, in addition to assisting in the overall condition of global ecosystem. On the island of O’ahu, for example, houseplants can enhance the quality of air by soaking up detrimental chemicals that invade the atmosphere; accordingly, this removes a significant amount of stress off of the surrounding ocean, the body of water that suffers the most from urban pollutants.

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Acquire plants that do not demand intricate maintenance routines By visiting a local nursery, a worker can supply valuable resources and advice towards the purchase of a suitable plant. Depending on space available, level of expertise, as well as extent of care, a certain type of plant may be recommended. Other factors, such as aesthetic appearance or size of plant, must be considered.

THE OCEAN SPANS OVER 70 PERCENT OF OUR WORLD. It is responsible for regulating temperature, food production, sustaining numerous species, and is a source for inspiration for many people.The ocean gives us so much and it is time for us to return the favor and take actions to make the ocean ecosystem healthy again. Almost every action that we take affects the ocean in some way. Our everyday choices can be tailored to support a healthy ocean. Here are some examples of green acts that will keep the ocean blue.

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Observe health of plants To keep house and yard plants healthy, schedule time to care for them. Take note of which days of the week the plant must be watered; monitor the leaves and/or flowers for signs of distress; ensure a healthy balance of light that is appropriate for the species. By establishing a time commitment throughout the week, the vitality of the plant should remain at peak performance.

Soak in the benefits Incorporating plants into a home carries the potential to drastically alter and improve upon the quality of living. Of most significance is the ability of vegetation to purify the air, which results in an array of health-improving effects. In an environment removed from direct access to clean, fresh air, houseplants can remove toxic chemicals and vapors. Through photosynthetic processes, plants absorb excess carbon dioxide and release oxygen throughout the air, assisting with breathing.

Add to collection The addition of plants to a household should not be limited; an increased quantity of plants results in further nourishing effects that promote an overall sense of wellbeing for the surrounding environment. Support local greenhouses and plant nurseries in order to grow your green community! n

Sea kelp near Point Lobos. Photo by: edgrimley, Flickr.

MAY 2019 |25

MAY 2019

✿ MAY 2

Climate Action

• Climate change in Hawai'i: not if, but when • Victoria Keener

• East-West Center • University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

✿ MAY 9

• Climate change is worse than you think but still fixable • Camilo Mora

• Geography • University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HANAUMA BAY SEMINARS: Science Talks or Educational Films Thursday evenings at Hanauma Bay

6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Admission FREE Parking FREE after 4 P.M.

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✿ MAY 16

• Chasing Coral

• 6 P.M. START

• Netflix Original Film

• 2017 • 1 hour and 33 minutes

✿ MAY 23

• Hurricanes, Hawai'i, and a changing climate • Alison Nugent

• SOEST • University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

✿ MAY 30

• Coral responses to climate change: hope for the future? • Ashley McGowan

• Hawai‘I Institute of Marine Biology • University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

FLASHBACK: 1986 By: Jenny Johnson, Editor

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his month we travel back in time to June 24, 1986, when Maui MOP students spent the day teaching little keiki about all the critters that are found in tidepools. This day wasn’t spent in a classroom -- the keiki got hands-on experience. Maui MOP students, Patty Ramos and Randy Campbell, dedicated their day to inspiring kindergarteners and possibly creating future MOPers. The keiki, teacher, parent volunteers, and Ramos and Campbell explored the tidepools of South Maui. The keiki were excited and eager to look at little critters like the wana (long-spined sea urchin) and some fascinating brittle stars (Ophiuroidea). It was a great opportunity for the keiki to learn about the ocean that surrounded them and the importance of the critters within - thanks to the dedicated MOP students, Ramos and Campbell, for passing along their knowledge and love to the ocean to all the grateful keiki. n

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May Photo Credit: zsispeo, Flickr.

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MOP & Community Events

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Theater Thursday: Hanauma Bay 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

MOP Graduation Dean Hall 104 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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11 UH Mānoa Graduation Stan Sheriff Center 9:00 a.m.

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Theater Thursday: Hanauma Bay 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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University of Hawai`i at MÄ noa Seawords, Marine Option Program College of Natural Sciences 2450 Campus Road, Dean Hall 105A Honolulu, HI 96822-2219 Address Service Requested

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