“Coral reefs represent some of the world's most spectacular beauty spots, but they are also the foundation of marine life: without them many of the seas most exquisite species will not survive” ~ Sheherazade Goldsmith “Coral is a very beautiful and unusual animal. Each coral head consists of thousand individual polyps. These polyps are continually budding and branching into genetically identical neighbors” ~ Antony Garrett Lisi “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings etrnal joy to the soul” ~ Wyland

1. KANAHENA POINT
` HIHI K NA`U NATURAL AREA RESERVEĀ Ī
CANDIDATE DESIGNATION FOR
100 ISLAND CHALLENGE AND CORAL REEF BASELINE SITE
Coral Triage: Scientists Zero in on Reefs with Best Chance of Survival
By Paul Tullis. Oceans Deeply. August 24, 2017, accessed October 20, 2017
https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/08/24/coral-triage-scientists-zero-in-
on-reefs-with-best-chance-of-survival
A group of coral reef specialists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the
University of California, San Diego, believes at least some reefs have the potential to
survive another major bleaching event. That’s if enough of the right kind of data can
be collected on how reefs are changing and local communities can be enlisted to
manage their reefs so that they are in optimal health when the next surge in ocean
temperatures inevitably occurs.
Their conviction is behind a new project dubbed the 100 Island Challenge, an
experiment using cutting-edge imaging technology to survey coral reefs in two and
three dimensions.
The project is similar to the 50 Reefs initiative which aims to identify the 50 reefs that
are least vulnerable to climate change and have the potential to contribute to the
restoration of other reefs in the future. The project is being run out of the University
of Queensland in Australia and is headed by coral scientist Ove Hoegh-Guldberg and
ocean activist Richard Vevers
100 ISLAND CHALLENGE SITES MAUI COUNTY 2017
Active
Molokai Latitude 21.144 Longitude -157.0226
Maui Latitude 20.7984 Longitude -156.3319
Planned
Lanai Latitude 20.8166 Longitude -156.9273

2. “Reversing the decline of coral reef health is more likely to occur
within Maui Nui than elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands, due in part
to the geographic connection between the four islands and the Network
of Community Managed Makai Areas”.
Sources:
Topographic History of the Maui Nui Complex, Jonathan Paul Price and Deborah Elliott-Fisk. Pacific
Science (2004), accessed October 19, 2017
https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/2709/1/vol58
n1-27-45.pd
Scientists Take Action to Reverse Coral Reef Declines on Maui. Maui Now. January 16, 2017,
accessed October 19, 2017 http://mauinow.com/2017/01/16/scientists-take-action-to-reverse-
coral-reef-declines-on-maui/
KANAHENA POINT
Located south of Makena State Park and north of La Perouse Bay
Located within `Āhihi Kīna`u Natural Area Reserve
Acres: Land: 1,238 Marine: 807
Longitude 20.6020 N Latitude 156.4400 W
Established:1973
`Ahihi Kina`u Reserve Plan Overview
`Ahihi Kina`u NAR Management Plan Development Process
`Ahihi Kina`u NAR Management Plan
`Ahihi Kina`u Management Plan and Working Group
Status of Maui’s Coral Reefs (2009)
[T]he dramatic decrease in live coral cover at one site (Kanahena Pt. 10m in 2005,
and Kanahena Pt. 3m in 2006) was attributable to a localized bloom of the crown of
thorns starfish (COTS). Increased COTS densities were initially observed in areas
just southeast of Kanahena Point in 2004, and at the time of one of our surveys in
2005, COTS density was roughly one starfish per 10 m2 of reef at Kanahena Pt.

3. Before the COTS outbreak, coral cover on the deep site was at 34% in 2004 and
12% on the shallow site in 2005.
After the outbreak, the coral cover dropped to as low as 7% at the deep site in 2007
and 2% at the shallow site in 2006. The most affected coral genera was Montipora,
whereas other genera, particularly Porites, appeared to be much less affected.
Fortunately these reefs appear to be recovering. A comparison of the coral
cover on the deep site from 2007 to 2009 showed a significant increase
(paired t-test p<0.01). On the shallow site, comparisons between 2006
and 2009 show a similar recovery (paired t-test P<0.06). Although the
COTS outbreak resulted in a rapid decline in coral cover the long-term effects of this
event on the coral community and potential recovery will be monitored. It is too early
to determine if this localized coral predation event will result in changes in coral
diversity, but it appears a trend from Montiporid towards more Poritid corals may
have resulted. Overall increase in coral diversity within a reef system could help
make the reef more resistant to future stressors and improve overall resilience
(Carpenter 1997; Birkeland and Lucas 1990).[Emphasis Supplied]
Source: Long-Term Monitoring of Coral Reefs of the Main Hawaiian Islands Final Report 2009 NOAA Coral
Reef Conservation Program State of Hawaii Monitoring Report NA06NOS4260113 10/01/2006 –
09/30/2010. William Walsh, Russell Sparks, Camille Barnett, Courtney Couch, Stephen Cotton, Darla
White, Kristy Stone, Eric Conklin. Department of Land & Natural Resources , Aquatic Resources Division.
December 2010, accessed October 19, 2017
http://www.coralreefnetwork.com/kona/NOAA%20961%20Final%20Report.pdf
Status of Maui’s Coral Reefs (2014)
Coral Status and Trends: • Coral cover in 2006 ranged from 74% at Molokini to <10%
at 4 sites: Honolua (9%), Puamana (8%), Maalaea (8%), and Kanahena Pt (6%). •
Coral cover increased at only 1 reef (Kanahena Bay, 17% to 30%),
remained stable (<5% change), at 3 reefs (Molokini, Papaula Point, and Puamana),
and declined at 5 reefs, most dramatically at Honolua (42% to 9%) and at Kahekili
(55% to 33%). • Mean coral cover of the 9 reefs declined from 35% when sites were

4. surveyed (1994 for West Maui, 1999 elsewhere) to 27% in 2006. Thus, nearly ¼ of all
living coral was lost over that period.
[Emphasis Supplied]
Source: Status of Maui’s Coral Reefs. Ivor Williams (Department of Land & Natural Resources, Aquatic
Resources Division & Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program), Russell Sparks (Department of Land
& Natural Resources , Aquatic Resources Division, Maui Office), Celia Smith (UH Manoa, Dept of Botany).
April 2014, accessed October 19, 2017
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/04/MauiReefDeclines.pdf
Status of Maui’s Coral Reefs (2015)
[T]he dramatic decreases in live coral cover at the Kanahena Pt 10m station in 2005,
and Kanahena Pt 3m station in 2006 were caused by a localized outbreak of the
crown of thorns starfish (COTS). Increased COTS densities were initially observed in
areas just southeast of Kanahena Point in 2004. At the time of our surveys in 2005,
COT density was roughly one starfish per 10 m2 of reef at Kanahena Pt.
Before the COTS outbreak, coral cover on the deep station was at 34.4% in 2004,
and at 11.9% on the shallow station in 2005. After the outbreak, coral cover dropped
to as low as 7.4% at the deep station in 2007 and 1.1% at the shallow station in 2006.
The most affected coral genera was Montipora, whereas other genera, particularly
Porites, appeared to be much less affected. Fortunately these reefs appear to have
recovered rapidly. A comparison of the coral cover on the deep station
from 2007 to 2015 showed a significant increase (paired t-test p<0.01).
On the shallow station, comparisons between 2006 and 2015 show a
similar recovery (paired t-test p<0.01). Although the COTS outbreak
caused a sharp decline in coral cover, the reefs at Kanahena Point
appear to have bounced back to levels comparable to those recorded
prior to the COT predation event (2015 mean cover being 6.5% at the
shallow station and 36.9% at the deep station). It is too early to determine if
this localized coral predation event will result in longterm changes in coral diversity,

5. but short term there was a clear change from montiporid towards more poritid corals
and after one decade post event, there appears to be a fairly equal distribution of the
main coral genera. Overall increase in coral diversity within a reef system could help
make the reef more resistant to future stressors and improve overall resilience
(McClanahan, et. al. 2012; Carpenter 1997; Birkeland and Lucas 1990). [Emphasis
Supplied]
Source: Maui and Lanai Monitoring Report December 2015. Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Aquatic Resources, Maui Office. Russell Sparks, Maui Monitoring Project Leader; Kristy Stone,
Maui Monitoring Coordinator; Darla White, Maui Monitoring Special Projects Coordinator; Megan Ross,
University of Hawaii, West Oahu Campus with assistance from Ivor Williams, Reef Fish Researcher, NOAA
Coral Reef Ecosystem Program, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu. December 2015,
accessed October 19, 2017
KANAHENA POINT – ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
The major decline in the reef structure was due to the increased number of the crown-
of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) (COTS) beginning as early as 2005.
COTS occurs naturally in low numbers on reefs found throughout the Indo-Pacific
region. The outbreak of COTS is attributable to increased phytoplankton availability.
Agricultural run-off is not a factor given that geologic setting of Kanahena Point,
discussed below.
The outbreak of COTS at Kanahena Point was pre-El Nino, the El Nino Oscillation
beginning in 2014, is discussed in the following paragraphs.
Hurricane activity, discussed below, is the probable cause of the COTS outbreak at
Kanahena Point.
COTS PHYTOPLANKTON ACTIVITY
The most widely accepted hypothesis is that crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS)

6. outbreaks are predominantly controlled by phytoplankton availability.
Nutrient enrichment from agricultural land run-off, elevated nutrient levels,
phytoplankton blooms. Other scientists believe that COTS outbreaks are linked to El
Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Since the El Niño began in 2014, bleaching has
been documented in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Caribbean, Australia, Hawaii,
and Florida Keys.
Sources:
Coral Reef Module. Crown of Thorns Starfish. The Nature Conservancy Reef Resilience. July 25, 2017,
accessed October 20, 2017 http://www.reefresilience.org/coral-reefs/stressors/predator-
outbreaks/crown-of-thorns-starfish/
Coral Reef Module. El Nino Southern Oscillation. The Nature Conservancy Reef Resilience. May 1, 2017,
accessed October 20, 2017 http://www.reefresilience.orgllation//coral-reefs/stressors/climate-and-
ocean-change/el-nino-southern-osci
KANAHENA POINT - GEOLOGIC SETTING AND REMOTENESS
The geology of the Reserve is among the youngest on the island and is home to a
wide variety of unique ecosystems and creatures.
The Reserve encompasses young rugged lava flows in Haleakalā volcano's
southwest rift zone, where `a`ā (rough, slow moving lava) lava fed the Kālua O Lapa
cinder cone. These flows reach seaward, forming Cape Kina`u and coating the
adjacent offshore sea floor.
Also within the Reserve is the coastal part of an older, similar sequence of lava flows
that lies to the northwest of the Kālua O Lapa lava. This older sequence, the
Kanahena flows, had erupted from an unnamed fissure about 430 meters altitude
(1,400 feet) on the southwest rift zone.
Since the Reserve boundary on land was specifically designed to encompass the

7. Because of the extreme roughness and fractured nature of the lava itself, the area is
extremely difficult to traverse on foot.
However, because it is easily accessed and viewed, the Reserve functions as an
outdoor, natural history classroom; it provides many opportunities to educate and
create awareness that the landscape found here is a representative example of the
geologic forces that created the Hawaiian archipelago.
Source: Āhihi Kīna`u Natural Area Reserve Management Plan. Department of Land and Natural
Resources. 2012. Section1.2.2.2 Geologic Setting. Page 4 Accessed October 19, 2017.
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/files/2013/07/Ahihi-Kinau-NAR-Management-Plan.pdf
THE WEATHER FACTOR
HURRICANES
Mature tropical cyclones with winds of 74 mph or more that exist anywhere in the North
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or in the eastern or central North Pacific
Ocean east of the International Date Line are called "hurricanes."
TYPHOONS
Typhoons are mature tropical cyclones that form in the Northwest Pacific basin – the western
part of the North Pacific Ocean, between 180° (the International Date Line) and 100° East
longitude.
Source: Differences Between Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones By Rachelle Oblack. ThoughtCo. May 16,
2017, accessed October 19, 2017 https://www.thoughtco.com/is-it-hurricane-typhoon-or-cyclone-
3443958
HAWAII HURRICANES LIST PRE-1950N TO 2010s
WIKIPEDIA

8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hawaii_hurricanes
TYPHOON ENHANCES THE PRODUCTION OF BACTERIA
AND PHYTOPLANKTON
a. Abrupt decline of salinity
b. Large increase in the amount of nutrients
c. Enhanced bacterial production
d. Phytoplankton production exceeds bacterial production
e. Sediment resuspension induced by typhoon passage enhanced bacterial
productivity
TYPHOON ENHANCES THE PRODUCTION OF BACTERIA AND PHYTOPLANKTON
Kenji Tsuchiya and his colleagues investigated responses of bacteria and
phytoplankton to physical-chemical environments induced by typhoon passages.
The study showed that the passage of typhoonMalou in a coastal water of
Japan in 2010 caused an abrupt decline of salinity and a large increase in
the amount of nutrients, immediately enhancing bacterial production.
The study also showed that phytoplankton production exceeded bacterial
production two days after Malou passage, and then reached a maximum
five days later.
The study team considers that sediment resuspension induced by typhoon
passage enhanced bacterial productivity abruptly just after the passage at
an inshore station.
The bacterial response could be regulated by difference in relative
contribution of nutrient sources after the passage of typhoon.
Tsuchiya T, Kuwahara VS, Hamasaki K, Tada Y, Ichikawa T, Yoshiki T, Nakajima

9. R, Imai A, Shimode S, Toda T (2015) Typhoon-induced response of phytoplankton
and bacteria in temperate coastal waters. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Scienc e 167:
458-465.
[Emphasis Supplied]
Source: Enhanced Production of Bacteria and Phytoplankton – Ryota Nakajima, PhD.
March 13, 2017 https://ryotanakajima.com/others/292
SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY
University of California at SanDiego
Coral Reef Ecology
Dr. Stuart Sandin Lab
https://scripps.ucsd.edu/labs/sandin/research/hundred-island-challenge/
100 ISLAND CHALLENGE
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, yet are estimated to
support 25% of marine biodiversity. For the 100s of millions of people living
adjacent to coral reefs, this productive ecosystem provides important shoreline
protection and critical food security. Despite the high societal values, a
combination of local anthropogenic influences and global climatic changes are
altering the structure and functioning of reef ecosystems.
The goal of the 100 Island Challenge is to gain a holistic understanding of the
current state and future trajectory of the world’s coral reefs by conducting a
global assessment of coral reefs and the factors promoting or inhibiting their
growth. This project is designed to provide a regional scale perspective of coral
reefs, investigating spatially explicit patterns in community organization through
time. Coral reefs spanning across multiple ocean basins will be studied, with
islands chosen evenly across each subregion. Reef community organization
will be assessed across spatial scales, including the individual scale (<1-10m2),

10. the site scale (100s of m2), the island scale (10s-100s of km2), and to the basin-
specific regional scale (1-10 million km2). Standard methods of in situ data
collection will be complemented by novel photomosaic techniques providing
spatially explicit and archivable records of reef benthic structure, from scales of
mm2 to 100s of m2. An intensive field campaign will enable replicated imaging
of reef community structure, and repeated sampling will provide insights into
reef dynamics through time.
Dr. Stuart Sandin
Ph.D. Princeton University, B.S. UC San Diego
Assistant Professor Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation & Marine Biology
Research Division, UC San Diego
SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY
University of California at SanDiego
Coral Reef Ecology
Dr. Jennifer Smith Lab
https://scripps.ucsd.edu/labs/coralreefecology/about/
We study pristine reefs to establish baselines to compare with
changing systems.
Without an understanding of how coral reefs are structured in the
absence of disturbance, it is impossible to assess the magnitude
of change in response to human activities. Taking advantage of
coral reef baselines in some of the remotest regions of the world,
our group strives to learn just how coral reefs should function.
Armed with such baseline knowledge, we can knowingly
characterize the roles, both good and bad, played by human
activities.
There are almost no pristine/nearly pristine coral reefs in the

11. world. Former reefs full of sharks, large fishes, sea turtles, and
healthy corals are all but gone. Impacts such as chronic over-
fishing, pollution, climate change, and disease have deteriorated
reefs.
One of the major problems for the conservation of coral reefs is
that we seldom have ecological baselines against which to
compare present reefs. Such quantitative baselines can reveal the
ecological characteristics that have been lost and potentially can
guide us toward strategies to restore degraded reefs.
Northern Islands Expedition
Palmyra Atoll (USA)
Kingman Reef (USA)
Fanning Island (Republic of Kiribati)
Washington Island (Republic of Kiribati)
Jarvis Island (USA)
Christmas Island (Republic of Kiribati)
Tahiti (French Polynesia)
Southern Islands Expedition (Republic of Kiribati)
Millennium
Malden
Starbuck
Vostok
Flint

12. Dr. Jennifer E. Smith
Ph.D. University of Hawaii at M noa, B.S. Humboldt State Universityā
Associate Professor Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation & Marine Biology
Research Division, UC San Diego