Kaloko-Honokōhau

Pacific Island Network Inventory & Monitoring Program National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior - The Groundwater Resources at Kaloko-Honoköhau National Historical Park What is the human threat to the groundwater system in north Kona? approximate park boudnary Reduced groundwater flow impacts the fragile balance between freshwater and saltwater. What is the value of water at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park? Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, located in north Kona, Hawai'i, contains globally rare anchialine pool habitats and significant Hawaiian cultural sites. ocean PREMIUM $ $ PREMIUM $ $ anchialine pool fishpond brackish water freshwater capture freshwater capture freshwater saltwater As groundwater resources are captured by more development wells pumping groundwater may become increasingly saline, altering native communities saline Traditional Hawaiian fishponds receive brackish water that supports the life cycle of culturally significant fish. Hualalai Aquifer Sector How does the groundwater system work in north Kona? KALOKOHONOKOHAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK approximate park boudnary - N fish pond freshwater freshwater brackish water 2.5 32 18 million gallons per day planned additional water extraction just within this 2.5 mi zone around the park Keauhou Aquifer System 0 Keauhou Aquifer System ,3 2 water use 12 million gallons per day current water extraction for this area Keauhou Aquifer System North Kona has low rainfall, dark porous soils, abundant sun, and high evaporation. As a result, aquatic resources are highly dependent on groundwater. ocean as more saltwater is drawn inland . Planned developments, if implemented around the park, will more than double this current water extraction to 30 million gallons per day (MGD). Kiholo Aquifer System anchialine pool and may dry at low tide. Historic fishponds could also become too monthly pumpage (million gallons per day) Groundwater emerges in shallow anchialine pools. Brackish water provides habitat for unique, culturally significant plants and animals. affecting culturally important species coastal anchialine pools 5 Mi 28 planned 24 20 16 12 current 8 4 0 2 http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index. html 3 http://hi.water.usgs.gov/recent/westhawaii/ pumpage.html 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 year The sustainable yield was set at 38 MGD for the Keauhou Aquifer System by the Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Managment. However, that yield was established to protect drinking water resources only and did not consider potential ecological or cultural resource requirements. saltwater Rainfall that seeps into the soil forms a layer of fresh groundwater that floats on the layer of brackish groundwater. The brackish water emerges in low anchialine pools and seeps into the fishponds, wetlands, and nearshore marine waters. KALOKO-HONOKOHAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK fishponds nearshore marine Honokohau Bay KALOKO-HONOKOHAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK N 0 Less then 40” 0.25 0.5 Mi Aquatic habitats in the park Rain-gaging station N anchialine pool habitat 10 20 Mi RK 0 nearshore marine habitat ISLAND NET W O 1 Oki et al. 1999 PS N brackish fishpond and wetland habitat For more information, contact: Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park 73-4786 Kanalani St., #14, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Ph. 808-329-6881 ext.1220 FIC ng Greater than or equal to 40” and less than 80” anchialine pools Hualalai Aquifer Sector Greater than or equal to 120” Greater than or equal to 80” and less than 120” The park’s ecologically fragile and culturally significant habitats may be adversely affected by excessive groundwater withdrawal in developments outside the park. PA CI Mean annual rainfall1 What are the potential consequences of reduced groundwater flow to the natural and cultural resources of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park? i Inv or ento nit ry & Mo Pacific Island Network Inventory & Monitoring Program National Park Service Integration & Application Network (IAN) University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/pacn/ www.ian.umces.edu