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Advanced technologies and expertise in coral reef monitoring at ʻĀkoʻakoʻa
With 120 miles of reef, the west coast of Hawaiʻi Island is the largest contiguous coral reef in the Hawaiian Archipelago, and requires advanced technologies and the world’s leading scientists to monitor the health of our marine ecosystems. ʻĀkoʻakoʻa’s scientific tools include the world’s most advanced land, air, and sea mapping and environmental monitoring assets, high-definition coastal and land-reef connectivity models, extensive water quality testing, and a massive facility for large-scale, broadcast propagation of corals.
Land-Based Operations
Research and propagation facilities of ʻĀkoʻakoʻa
A key asset of ʻĀkoʻakoʻa is its state-of-the-art coral research and propagation facility, at the Ridge to Reef Restoration Center (3RC) in Kailua-Kona, located at the midpoint of West Hawaiʻi’s coral reef. The coral facility houses 72 state-of-the-art highly instrumented raceways to drive large-scale research into West Hawaiʻi coral thermal and pollution tolerance, reproduction, and resilience. If you are interested in renting out some of the raceways in our nursery for your research or restoration, contact us.
Advanced aerial mapping for environmental conservation
The Global Airborne Observatory (GAO) is an airborne laboratory that houses advanced Earth mapping technology. The GAO’s mission is to make scientific discoveries, support conservation, and galvanize action to protect the environment at large geographic scales. Now in its third generation, the GAO is a complete airborne laboratory based in a highly modified Dornier 228-202 aircraft, and it carries what is widely regarded as the most advanced mapping technology operating in the civil sector today.
The GAO captures images of the dynamic Hawaiʻi coastline, and our team of leading technologists transforms the imagery into advanced diagnostic maps of ecosystem condition.
Maritime Operations
Fleet for coral reef monitoring and rapid response
Our fleet of maritime assets interoperate with our land facilities to provide both rapid response and long-term coral reef monitoring capability. From our largest vessel, the Kai Surveyor, capable of carrying a large team of divers and gear, to our smallest and most nimble vessels, we are equipped to deploy scientific dive teams, students and community members for every need.
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