March of the Molokai Mangrove

Nene O Molokai News Release

Introduced alien mangrove threatens the long-term sustainability of south shore coastal resources. During 2014 and 2015, Sarah Jenkins and Lily Jenkins conducted a study on the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of introduced Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) on Molokai. The intent was to determine if the mangrove has the potential to reach the fringing reef, and if so, what are the impending socioeconomic and ecological impacts.

Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were used to interpret aerial imagery, historic maps, and coastal surveys to map seaward migration, analyze ecological effects, and predict the future impact on Molokai’s south shore through benthic habitat modeling. Over 12 million Scanning Hydrographic Operational Airborne Survey (SHOALS) data were converted into 189,000 polygons to create current and projected maps with an accuracy rate of 98 percent and to 6 inch depth. This ground-breaking study has caught the attention of NOAA, USGS, EPA, NASA, the Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands, the state’s Historic Preservation Division, and other agencies.

Come find out to what extent this invasive species will affect future generations of Molokai residents. Public presentations followed by Q&A at OHA conference room on June 26 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., 12:30 to 2 p.m., and 5:30 to 7 p.m.