Polanui Hiu Project Area - University of Hawaii Maui...
Transcript of Polanui Hiu Project Area - University of Hawaii Maui...
Polanui Hiu Project AreaBy Jared Welch
GIS 180 – Ecosystem Management
Figure 2: Overlaying the historical map onto modern day imagery presented a challenge because it caused the distortion of lines
and words. Shown here are two sections of the 1884 map, zoomed in, to show clearer details.
Figure 1: Modern imagery showing the 222 acres of the Polanui Hiu project area, as well as surrounding roads, streams, and other
landmarks.
Figure 4 – use this as a caption for your Map 4
Figure 3: The majority of the storm drains located along the project area shoreline are private, with larger, public drains placed at
greater intervals along the shore.
Photo by: Tony Novak-Clifford
Photo by: Jim Petruzzi
It is important to thank a couple of people for their
help in completing this project. First, I would like
to thank the GIS 180 instructor, Sarah McLane.
Not only has Sarah’s patience, knowledge, and
instruction helped me for this project, it has helped
my understanding of GIS grow immensely this
semester. I would also like to thank Ekolu Lindsey,
for the use of the 1884 Lahaina map, as well as his
assistance in other aspects of this project. Ekolu
gave his time to not only give input on the maps
and written words related to this project, but to also
help me gather data by walking with me along the
project’s shoreline, and taking me out in a canoe to
get waypoints for the channels.
Acknowledgements
References
Credits:
• Ekolu Lindsey, Polanui Hiu Project Director
• Roxie Sylva, The Nature Conservency
• The State of Hawaii/Natural Resources
Conservation Services (NRCS)
Results
What resulted from this project is the beginning of a
database that can be expanded upon for future uses
by the Polanui Hiu project group. The initial data
shows where public and private storm drains exist
along the shores of the Polanui Hiu project area, as
well as the points where channels begin. The
location of the storm drains can be used to analyze
marine data collected at a later date. For example,
the locations of bleached coral can be mapped and
compared to the locations of the storm drains.
Mapping the points of the channels is important
because the conditions of the channels are key to
the health of the marine environment. Having a
map showing the points of these channels gives a
base map for the collection, mapping, and analysis
of future data. To add to having this data, the maps
also give a historical perspective by showing the
1884 Lahaina map.
Introduction
Project Focus
The focus of this project was to create a GIS
database for Polanui Hiu. This will allow Polanui
Hiu to expand the use of the maps they currently
have by enabling them to add data to these maps
and use them for future analytical purposes.
Methodology
The health of a marine environment is dependent on
the activities in the water and on land. Reef health,
fish populations, plant life, etc. can either be
healthy or in need of recovery. For this project,
there was an opportunity to contribute to a group,
Polanui Hiu, who are working to improve a marine
zone in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. Specifically, the
zone encompasses the makai area between Kauaula
Stream and 505 Front Street in Lahaina. The zone
extends from the shore to the point where the depth
of the ocean reaches 70 feet.
First, data was gathered by walking along the
project’s shoreline and using a GPS unit to record
waypoints for the storm drains. For the waypoints
showing the locations of the channels, we paddled a
canoe to each point along the surf break where a
channel begins. The storm drain and channel
waypoints were then used to create their respective
maps. To create the map that consists of the 1884
map overlaying the modern imagery, I had to
georectify the maps. This involved matching
geographic points that exist on both maps so that
they align themselves to each other.
Image 1: A view of the Polanui Hiu project area, as seen from the shore near the Puamana townhomes.
Image 2: An example of a private storm drain; this
particular drain is located near a swimming pool.
Figure 3: Mapping the location of the channels in the project area is necessary for future analysis of the health of the marine
environment. Other forms of data can be collected and used to create new layers to add to this map, such as the locations and
populations of healthy and unhealthy coral.