Aquatic Invasive Species Team Quarterly Update (2025 Q2)
April 2025 – June 2025
Invasive Algae Management and Coral Restoration
A DAR AIS team member monitoring a coral module at Reef Runway.
- The AIS team outplanted 12,200 urchins to Kāneʻohe Bay as part of continued efforts to mitigate invasive algae. Read more about urchin outplanting as a part of the Cape Flattery Settlement Restoration project here.
- Continued to assist the DAR urchin hatchery with broodstock collection, spat counts, and harvesting.
- The AIS team monitored 198 coral modules outplanted by the Hawaiʻi Coral Restoration Nursery at four outplant sites on the south shore of Oʻahu: Kakaʻako, Sand Island, Port Royal, and Reef Runway. Modules are monitored regularly over the 5 years following outplanting.
Rapid Response
- Continued Structure from Motion (SfM) efforts to capture a 3D model of the Anemonia manjano invasion zone in Kāneʻohe Bay. This model will help determine the extent and impact of the invasion on the surrounding reef.
- Conducted surveys following reports of a grounded vessel near Heʻeia Fishpond.
Monitoring and Management
- Conducted SNAP surveys in Kāneʻohe Bay and the Waikīkī Marine Life Conservation District. These surveys provide a “snapshot” of the reef so DAR can continue to monitor invasive algae populations and effectively distribute urchins for the urchin biocontrol program.
DAR staff learning about boating safety and rescue during MOCC.
- Collaborated with NOAA and Post Northwest to host the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) to train DAR staff in safe operation of motorboats, including a review of legal requirements, preparations, navigation, operations, emergency procedures, rescue, self-rescue, trailering, fire suppression, and basic seamanship.
- Continued monitoring non-native coral removal sites in Kāneʻohe Bay for new colonies.
- Collected Pocillopora meandrina samples from Kaka’ako for genetic identification through the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology. This is the first step in researching Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) susceptibility in Hawaiian corals.
- Assisted the DAR Kaua’i team with delimiting surveys of a new occurrence of invasive Avrainvillea erecta.
Partner Agency Collaboration
- Delivered A. manjano samples to Thierry Work for experimental heat treatments, which required higher temperatures and exposure times than expected.
- Began large-scale delineation surveys on the east side of the Pearl Harbor Channel to look for invasive Unomia stolonifera colonies.
Unomia stolonifera in Pearl Harbor.
- Attended a Mālama Maunalua community workday to pull invasive algae from Maunalua Bay.
- Assisted Paepae o Heʻeia with invasive upside-down jellyfish removals in the Heʻeia Fishpond.
- Aided NOAA in rubble stabilization off Barbers Point by providing boat transport and dive support.
- Brought Mālama Learning Center staff to the majano eradication site in Kāneʻohe Bay to take footage. Footage was used for an Outside Hawaiʻi episode on Hawaiian fishponds (loko iʻa).
Training and Conferences
- Attended a UXO training provided by US Navy personnel with Hawaiʻi Invasive Octocorals Working Group partners to understand safety concerns and appropriate safety measures when conducting surveys in Pearl Harbor.
- Attended a Chondria tumulosa State of the Science workshop to stay up to date with current research surrounding the cryptogenic algae currently found in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
- Attended the Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting to discuss rules for SCTLD.
Outreach
- Delivered updates on the majano eradication process at a Kāneʻohe Bay Regional Council meeting.
- Attended the American Fisheries Society Pacific Island Chapter meeting
- Tabled at Na Mea Hawaiʻi Day at Ben Parker Elementary School to teach keiki about environmental stewardship.
- Presented on the Impacts of Aquarium Releases in Kāneʻohe Bay during a webinar for Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month.
- Attended the annual Pacific Ballast Water Group Meeting in Portland, Oregon.
- Tabled at Mālama Pūkūkea-Waimea and Waikīkī Aquarium Ocean Day events.
- Tabled at Bishop Museum’s Science and Sustainability Fest.
- Tabled at Aiea Intermediate School’s career fair.
Personnel
- Hired Andrew Graham as the HCRI Habitat and Fish Monitoring Biologist.
- Hired Ciara Ratum as a Fishery Technician IV.
- Hired Leigh Engel as the Invasive Soft Coral Biologist.