Modeled Impacts of Wave Extremes and Sea Level Rise at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, HI: a Probabilistic Analysis

Date

2024

Contributor

Department

Instructor

Depositor

Speaker

Researcher

Consultant

Interviewer

Narrator

Transcriber

Annotator

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Volume

Number/Issue

Starting Page

Ending Page

Alternative Title

Abstract

Damaging waves have previously impacted Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National HistoricalPark, HI, a site of immense cultural and historical significance. The ongoing threat of sea level rise has brought forth concerns among park staff and stakeholders regarding the longevity of the park and specific areas of importance, especially during times of increased wave activity. This study investigates the combined impacts of sea level rise and extreme wave events at the park. In-situ observations of water level data are collected in coastal waters surrounding the park; however, the in-situ observations did not effectively validate the wave model. The water level data are nevertheless used to demonstrate the wave transformation phenomenon. An extreme value analysis is performed on a hindcast dataset using the Peaks Over Threshold method wherein a number of extreme events are identified. Using a phase-resolving numerical model, SWASH, coupled with high-resolution topobathymetric data, coastal inundation is simulated under two sea level rise scenarios: 0.3 m and 1 m. Simulations are also run over three extreme wave return periods used by the extreme value analysis: 1 year, 10 years, and 50 years. The SWASH model analyses show that sea level rise amplifies the effects of wave-driven flooding, threatening low-lying cultural assets and natural features, such as Hale o Keawe and the Heleipālala anchialine ponds. Effective measures to mitigate the impact of sea level rise and extreme waves on the park must be explored in a timely manner.

Description

Keywords

Physical oceanography

Citation

Extent

75 pages

Format

Geographic Location

Time Period

Related To

Related To (URI)

Table of Contents

Rights

All UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.

Rights Holder

Local Contexts

Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.