Understanding Water Quality in Maunalua Bay, Oʻahu

Abstract

Monitoring and analysis of environmental conditions is a fundamental component of sound ecological restoration and management. The degraded water quality of Maunalua Bay which was once home to healthy watersheds, reefs, and fishponds has been extensively documented, but not yet analyzed or synthesized in a holistic form useful to managers. Consistently formatted data compiled in one location enables broader and more consistent water quality data analyses, leading to a greater understanding of Maunalua’s water quality and more effective management and restoration of the Bay’s ecosystems. The project goals were to develop a platform to continuously house, organize, and ensure the quality of all water quality data collected in Maunalua Bay. Other products were created to supplement the development and application of synthesizing and visually relaying water quality data collected by researchers and disseminated to resource managers and the community.