Inventory & Monitoring at Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Isolated by cliffs almost 2,000 feet (600 meters) tall, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, on the Hawaian island of Moloka‘i, tells the story of the forced isolation of people afflicted with Hansen's disease. The park also preserves an array of natural resources. Coral reefs, a crater with an 800-foot-deep lake, intact coastal salt-spray plant communities, high-elevation rain forest, and the steep forested Waikolu Valley contain a wide variety of aquatic, terrestrial, and marine habitats.

What's Monitored Here

  • Vibrant coral reef at War in the Pacific National Historical Park
    Benthic Marine Communities

    Four parks within the Pacific Island Network contain rich benthic marine communities that are home to algae, corals, and other invertebrates

  • Observing alpine climate at Haleakalā National Park
    Climate

    Climate is widely recognized as a major driver for both terrestrial and marine ecosystems

  • PACN staff record early detection data for invasive plant species
    Early Detection of Invasive Plants

    Early detection of invasive plant species is a key component in helping to curtail the spread of noxious weeds into surrounding areas

  • Invasive palm grass (Setaria palmifolia) growing throughout a native forest in Hawaiʻi Volcan
    Established Invasive Plant Species

    Nonnative plant species invasions present a serious threat to Pacific island ecosystems

  • Plant community in American Memorial Park
    Focal Terrestrial Plant Communities

    Long-term vegetation monitoring helps us determine plant community health, ecosystem stability, and the effectiveness of management

  • A Pacific Kingfisher at the National Park of American Samoa
    Landbirds

    On Pacific islands, birds pollinate the majority of woody plant species and disperse their seeds

  • On of many anchialine pools and cultural sites at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park with dev
    Landscape Dynamics

    Landscape dynamics monitoring in parks provides information on land use and land cover change

  • Pennant bannerfish (Heniochus chrysostomus) observed on a coral reef in National Park of American Sa
    Marine Fish Communities

    Marine fish are a major component of coral reef ecosystems and serve many ecological functions

  • Stream monitoring in Kalaupapa National Historical Park
    Stream Communities

    Freshwater ecosystems are considered to be among the world's most vulnerable

  • Fresh water quality monitoring in a stream in Haleakalā National Park
    Water Quality - Fresh & Brackish

    Fresh and brackish water quality monitoring occurs in places like streams and anchialine pools

  • Marine water quality performed at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
    Water Quality - Marine

    The quality of surface waters, marine waters, and groundwater is fundamental to the ecosystems across the Pacific islands

Monitoring vegetation
Reports & Publications

PACN I&M Inventory and Monitoring Reports, Protocols, and Articles from Kalaupapa National Park

Observing a Trematolobelia wimmeri in Hawai‘i
Park Species List

Discovering species in our parks

Last updated: September 12, 2024

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