Websites stress health of coral reefs
Two recently launched websites are promising to provide people with unprecedented perspectives on the health of coral reefs around Hawaii island.
The sites — the Coral Health Atlas and the Long-term Monitoring of Coral Health at Waiopae Hawaii Island — draw on information gathered over some seven years by University of Hawaii-Hilo associate professor of marine science Misaki Takabayashi and a team of student researchers.
The Coral Health Atlas (coralhealth.spatial.hawaii.edu) offers basic information about coral health and diseases as well as data on the prevalence of disease at several sites around the island.
The Waiopae site (goo.gl/YoQPz) features time-series photographs that track changes in 48 coral colonies at Waiopae tide pools in Puna. The colonies were observed every month for the last five years.
Takabayashi’s research team included doctoral student John Burns, master’s students Makani Gregg and Monika Frazier, and undergraduates Niegel Rozet, Eva Farah, Lauren Kapono and Danielle Claar.
The scientists note that coral health is fundamental to Hawaii’s ocean life and has "direct cultural, environmental and economic significance."
The two websites are intended to help Hawaii residents understand the importance of a healthy coral community and the state of its health at various reefs.
Production cut at water facility
OLINDA, Maui » Maui water officials have drastically reduced production at the Olinda Water Treatment Facility after recent dry weather left reservoirs almost dry.
As of Friday the 30-million-gallon Waikamoi reservoirs had only 500,000 gallons, and the 100-million-gallon Kahakapao reservoirs had just 33.1 million gallons.
The U.S. Geological Survey said last week that rainfall on Maui in October was the third lowest on record since 1928.
The county has reminded Upcountry businesses and residents to conserve water until the winter rain can replenish the reservoirs.
Allergic reaction prompts rescue
Maui fire rescue personnel assisted a Molokai woman who apparently suffered a severe allergic reaction while hiking the Halawa Falls trail.
An off-duty doctor who attended to the 20-year-old hiker until rescuers arrived said he believed the woman was suffering from anaphylactic shock.
The firefighters helped the hiker off the trail and transferred her to the care of waiting paramedics. She was transferred to Molokai General Hospital in stable condition.
Runaway inmate back in custody
A Maui inmate wanted for walking away from his prison work detail is back in police custody.
Police had been searching for 31-year-old Henry Rosenthal since Friday morning, when he walked away from the Lahaina Civic Center, where he had been assigned to help with repairs.
According to Hawaii News Now, police received an anonymous tip Saturday night that Rosenthal was at a residence on Kale Street in Lahaina.
