Grain size distribution and fate of transplanted corals at Kawaihae, Hawaii: field work of 1996 - 1997 (NODC Accession 0001141)

A harbor expansion was planned in the early 1990s for Kawaihae, Hawaii on the northwest shore of the Big Island. To offset the habitat loss, select corals were transplanted. This study looked at the effects of sedimentation on the transplanted and non-transplanted corals of this high wave region. Eight experimental transplant station were set up, each with four sediment traps. An offshore gradient was established with sites selected from shallow to deep water and in various environments, including areas believed to have a high potential for damage associated with harbor construction (particularly increased sedimentation), to distant sites with a low potential for direct damage, and areas that presumably would be impacted by storm surf. Fate of transplanted coral colonies were recorded as percent in each of four classes: healthy, covered with filamentous overgrowth, bleached or dead. These data were published in a PhD Dissertation (Te, 2000)