Field Stations & Marine Labs

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service have research facilities at the Science Center located near Park Headquarters. There is a room, with several desks, in the main building that is allocated to the faculty and students from the Botany Department. There are bunk facilities for short term research visits ($12 per night). There is a dormitory ($6/night) with cooking facilities. The nearest store is about 10 miles away, so you need to plan ahead. Thre are cabins and shelters in park wi lderness areas to which all materials must be carried. Rainwater is generally available, but is heavily chlorinated. For more information, or to make reservations, contact Dr. C. W. Smith. The phone number for the Botany Department Science Center office is 967-7737.

Facilities at the Science Center include limited lab and greenhouse space. There is an auditorium which will accommodate conferences of about 100 people.

A series of CPSU technical reports documents many aspects of the Park of interest to botanists. A complete series of these reports can be found in the CPSU office (StJohn 409). Current research includes long-term ecological monitoring and autecological studies. Many research programs in HVNP have been carried out by students and faculty. In addition, the Hawaii IBP study was focused on a transect running from nearby the research center up Mauna Loa to the treeline. Results of this interdisciplinary work are documented in the Island Ecosystems (edited by D. Mueller-Dombois, K. Bridges & H. Carson, 1981 [QH198.H3 I82]). There is also a series of IBP technical reports available in Hamilton Library (QH541.5.I8 I58).

Current CPSU studies include: special ecological area management; feral pig impacts and management; small mammal population dynamics; alien plant control using biological control or herbicides; Argentine and and yellowjacket control; natural resource inventory and monitoring; autecological studies--mamane, Haleakala silvesword; and synecological studies on bogs.

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

There is a dormitory ($6/night) one mile upslope form the park where researchers can stay. Contact Dr. C. W. Smith for details.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

There is a dormitory ($?/night) and canteen ($3/meal) at Kalaupapa where researchers can stay. Entry to the park is strictly regulated. Contact Dr. C. W. Smith for details. Current research activities include a natural resources inventory.

Haleakala National Park

[Put in a note about NifTAL??]

Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB: UH, Coconut Island)

HIMB is a major marine biology lab, complete with permanent research and shop facilities, boats, and experimental ponds. It is one of the University's research institutes and provides many ways to collaborate on research projects. It is located on Coconut Island in Kaneohe Bay. Getting to the lab requires travel either by the scheduled boat (hours: departs at 8:00 am and returns at 4:00 and 5:00) or by skiff (on demand from 8:30-12:00 and 1:00-3:30). There is some limited van service to the Coconut Isl and pier. Parking is limited at the pier. The HIMB library has a valuable collection of reports, many of which are not found in other libraries in the State. For more information, contact the HIMB on-campus office (Marine Sciences Building 503) In the past, a number of students and faculty have conducted research on the Coconut Island reef flats. These areas are in a marine reserve offering some protection not found on other reefs in the bay.

Future Plans

Botany Department

There are very active discussions being held about the possibility of creating a new field station near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Stay tuned. We are also looking into the possibilities for marine field stations (other than Coconut Island).

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is trying to establish a network of field stations on all the major islands. The purpose will be to provide bases of operations for their nature reserves.

Zoology Department

Dr. Lenny Freed has obtained funding to build a field station in Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge, on the Big Island. This is on the slopes of Mauna Kea.

See also: Field Equipment; Travel; Botanical Gardens