Geophysical surveys for assisting in determining the ground water resources above the Makena Golf Course, Island of Maui, Hawaii

Abstract

This report contains the results of geophysical surveys conducted to assist in determining the ground water resources above the Makena Golf Course located near Makena, Maui, Hawaii. The surveys were performed by Blackhawk Geometries (Blackhawk) for the Makena Resort Corporation (MRC) during May 8, 1998. The geophysical method employed during this survey was Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) soundings. The main objective of the geophysical survey was to assist in characterizing the hydrologic regime in the study area for proposed ground water wells. Ground water resources can occur on the Island of Maui basically in two modes: • In a basal mode where a lens of fresh water floats on saline water, and o In a high-level mode where the ground water occurrence is controlled by subsurface damming structures. The volcanic rocks are generally highly permeable and this allows rainwater to infiltrate directly downward through the island mass. In the Makena area, ground water was expected to occur mainly as a deep basal fresh/brackish water lens. High-level water resources were not expected at the study site.