PacIOOS Water Quality Sensor Partnership Program 005: Kahala, Oahu, Hawaii

The nearshore sensors are part of the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) and are designed to measure a variety of ocean parameters at fixed point locations. The PacIOOS Water Quality Sensor Partnership Program (WQSPP) supports scientists and natural resource managers to collect water quality data in order to inform research, conservation, planning, and resource management projects in the U.S. Insular Pacific region. Comprised of a network of "roving" water quality nearshore sensors, the WQSPP provides participating partners with sensors, data management, and technical capacity-building to allow for robust data collection. nss_wqspp_005 was located approximately 100 meters offshore of Waialae Beach Park in Kahala along the west side of Maunalua Bay on the South Shore of Oahu in the State of Hawaii. The sensor package was mounted to the sea floor at approximately 1.5 meters depth. As part of the WQSPP, Malama Maunalua was awarded use of this nearshore sensor to enhance water quality monitoring efforts in Maunalua Bay. Malama Maunalua is a community-based, non-profit stewardship organization committed to conserving and restoring a healthy and productive Maunalua Bay. The sensor collected critical parameters at Waialae Stream mouth and stormwater outlet to assess sediment loads and water input. The data helped to inform ongoing work at Paiko Restoration Area, which is adversely impacted by invasive algae. The sensor also complemented the existing PacIOOS sensor on the eastern side of Maunalua Bay (NSS-010) to improve the understanding of bay-wide, land-based inputs.