Waikiki Beach Research Articles

Occurrence and distribution of UV-filters and other anthropogenic contaminants in coastal surface water, sediment, and coral tissue from Hawaii

The occurrence of UV-filters in the environment has raised concerns over potentially adverse impacts on corals. In this study, the concentrations of 13 UV-filters and 11 hormones were measured in surface seawater, sediment, and coral tissue from 19 sites in Oahu, Hawaii. At least eight UV-filters were detected in seawater, sediment, and coral tissue and total mass concentrations of all UV-filters were <750 ng L−1, <70 ng g−1 dry weight (dw), and <995 ng g−1 dw, respectively. Four UV-filters were detected in water, sediment, and coral tissue at detection frequencies of 63–100%, 56–91%, and 82–100%, respectively. These UV-filter concentrations generally varied as follows: water, homosalate (HMS) > octisalate (OS) > benzophenone-3 (BP-3, also known as oxybenzone) > octocrylene (OC); sediment, HMS > OS > OC > BP-3; coral, OS ≈ HMS > OC ≈ BP-3. BP-3 concentrations in surface seawater were <10 ng L−1 at 12 of 19 sites and highest at Waikiki beach (e.g., 10.9–136 ng L−1). While BP-3 levels were minimal in sediment (e.g., <1 ng g−1 dw at 18 of 19 sites), and ranged from 6.6 to 241 ng g−1 dw in coral tissue. No quantifiable levels of 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (also known as octinoxate) were recorded in surface seawater or coral tissues, but 5–12.7 ng g−1 dw was measured for sediment at 5 of 19 sites. No hormones were detected in seawater or sediment, but 17α-ethinylestradiol was present in three corals from Kaneohe Bay. Surfactant degradation products were present in seawater, especially at Waikiki beach. These results demonstrate ubiquitous parts-per-trillion concentrations of UV-filters in surface seawater and is the first report of UV-filters in coral tissue from U.S.A. coastal waters. These data inform the range of environmentally-relevant concentrations for future risk assessments on the potential impacts of UV-filters on coral reefs in Oahu, Hawaii.

Abstracts Presented at the 14th National Advanced Practice Neonatal Nurses Waikiki Beach, HI, April 19-22, 2017

Abstracts Presented at the 14th National Advanced Practice Neonatal Nurses Waikiki Beach, HI, April 19-22, 2017

Guest Editorial Introduction to the Special Section on the 9th International Conference on Nano/ Molecular Medicine and Engineering (IEEE-NANOMED 2015)

This special section of the IEEE Transactions on Nanobioscience comprises 11 papers that are extended versions of accepted papers and abstracts from the 9th International Conference on Nano/Molecular Medicine and Engineering (IEEE-NANOMED 2015), which was held in November 15–18, 2015, at Waikiki Beach, HI, USA. Originally launched in 2006, IEEE-NANOMED has grown to be one of the major international conferences in nanomedicine and nano/molecular engineering. IEEE-NANOMED 2015 offered an excellent and challenging technical program, which broadly reached the field of nano/molecular medicine and engineering with 12 plenary and keynote presentations, 25 technical sessions, 3 workshops, and 3 poster sessions, featuring over 220 high-quality presentations.

Diversity of parasitic fungi associated with phytoplankton in Hawaiian waters

ABSTRACTParasitic fungi infect large phytoplankton species in freshwater, playing a fundamental role in their host's health and habitat range. However, those associated with the marine phytoplankton community remain largely unknown. This study investigated the infectivity and biodiversity of phytoplanktonic parasitic fungi in three ecosystems of Hawaiian waters, with contrasting trophic statuses – oligotrophic (Waikiki Beach), mesotrophic (Kaneohe Bay) and eutrophic (Ala Wai Canal). The occurrence of fungal parasites (e.g. attached spores) was primarily associated with diatom cells (i.e. the most vulnerable populations) as well as various pelagic fungal forms (i.e. zoosporic, yeast and mycelial), suggesting the coexistence of different fungal lifestyles. Phylogenetic analysis categorized our retrieved fungal sequences from six clone libraries into five taxonomic orders that belonged to the phyla of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, along with culturable fungal endophytes and pathogens from diverse host resources. The great majority of these sequences (∼93%) were associated with three taxonomic orders of Ascomycota (Pleosporales, Hypocreales and Saccharomycetales). There was greater infectivity and diversity of fungal species in eutrophic (Ala Wai) waters compared with oligotrophic (Waikiki Beach) waters, and both factors were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated to nutrient P levels at the sampling sites. This is the first report of the occurrence and phylogenetic diversity of phytoplankton-associated fungi in Hawaiian waters and may bring new insights into our understanding of marine fungal communities.

Long-Term Fluctuations in Circalunar Beach Aggregations of the Box Jellyfish Alatina moseri in Hawaii, with Links to Environmental Variability

The box jellyfish Alatina moseri forms monthly aggregations at Waikiki Beach 8–12 days after each full moon, posing a recurrent hazard to swimmers due to painful stings. We present an analysis of long-term (14 years: Jan 1998– Dec 2011) changes in box jellyfish abundance at Waikiki Beach. We tested the relationship of beach counts to climate and biogeochemical variables over time in the North Pacific Sub-tropical Gyre (NPSG). Generalized Additive Models (GAM), Change-Point Analysis (CPA), and General Regression Models (GRM) were used to characterize patterns in box jellyfish arrival at Waikiki Beach 8–12 days following 173 consecutive full moons. Variation in box jellyfish abundance lacked seasonality, but exhibited dramatic differences among months and among years, and followed an oscillating pattern with significant periods of increase (1998–2001; 2006–2011) and decrease (2001–2006). Of three climatic and 12 biogeochemical variables examined, box jellyfish showed a strong, positive relationship with primary production, >2 mm zooplankton biomass, and the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO) index. It is clear that that the moon cycle plays a key role in synchronizing timing of the arrival of Alatina moseri medusae to shore. We propose that bottom-up processes, likely initiated by inter-annual regional climatic fluctuations influence primary production, secondary production, and ultimately regulate food availability, and are therefore important in controlling the inter-annual changes in box jellyfish abundance observed at Waikiki Beach.

Biology by the numbers on the Hawaiian Islands.

One could imagine it might be hard to focus on science at a beautiful location such as the famous Waikiki Beach on Oahu Island, Hawaii. Amazingly, however, that's just what more than 330 participants did at the First Annual Winter Q-Bio Meeting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort from February 18–21, 2013. The interdisciplinary field of quantitative biology (q-bio) has expanded tremendously in the last several years, especially with the growth of systems and synthetic biology as integral components of q-bio. The organizers for this first Winter Q-bio meeting were led by Jeff Hasty (University of California, San Diego; San Diego, USA) and included Bill Ditto (University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA), William Hlavacek (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA), Alex Hoffmann (University of California, San Diego; San Diego, USA), Brian Munsky (New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, USA) and Lev Tsimring, (University of California, San Diego; San Diego, USA). The idea was to capitalize on the growing interest in the intersection of the physical and biologic sciences by bringing together scientists, from all different backgrounds and expertise, interested in quantitative principles of biologic systems. In this report, we've highlighted a few themes that we took home from the meeting.

Waikialoid A Suppresses Hyphal Morphogenesis and Inhibits Biofilm Development in Pathogenic Candida albicans

A chemically prolific strain of Aspergillus was isolated from a soil sample collected near Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii. The fungus produced several secondary metabolites, which were purified and placed in our natural products library and were later screened for substances capable of inhibiting biofilm formation by Candida albicans. It was determined that one of the secondary metabolites from the Hawaiian fungal isolate, a new complex prenylated indole alkaloid named waikialoid A (1), inhibited biofilm formation with an IC(50) value of 1.4 μM. Another structurally unrelated, presumably polyketide metabolite, waikialide A (15), also inhibited C. albicans biofilm formation, but was much less potent (IC(50) value of 32.4 μM). Microscopy studies revealed that compound 1 also inhibited C. albicans hyphal morphogenesis. While metabolite 1 appears ineffective at disrupting preformed biofilms, the accumulated data indicate that the new compound may exert its activity against C. albicans during the early stages of surface colonization involving cell adherence, hyphal development, and/or biofilm assembly. Unlike some other stephacidin/notoamide compounds, metabolite 1 was not cytotoxic to fungi or human cells (up to 200 μM), which makes this an intriguing model compound for studying the adjunctive use of biofilm inhibitors in combination with standard antifungal antibiotics.

Uwe H. F. Bunz

Angewandte Chemie International EditionVolume 50, Issue 34 p. 7728-7728 Author Profile Uwe H. F. Bunz First published: 12 August 2011 https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201103290Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Graphical Abstract “The best stage in a scientist's career is ALWAYS. Each has different opportunities, rewards, and challenges. My favorite place on earth is the waves in front of Waikiki beach on a day when there is a 3–7 ft (Hawaiian scale) swell …︁” This and more about Uwe H. F. Bunz can be found on page 7728. Volume50, Issue34August 16, 2011Pages 7728-7728 RelatedInformation

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Hawaii Marine Lab Fights to Stay Afloat

Just a few kilometers down the coast from Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, the death knell is tolling for the University of Hawaii's (UH's) Kewalo Marine Laboratory. The university has agreed to give up its lease on the 35-year-old lab 17 years early and plans to move the lab's faculty to its other marine lab on Coconut Island, or to the main Manoa campus, or even to the Waikiki Aquarium. The state redevelopment agency, which owns the land, plans to tear down the waterfront lab to expand a park and set up a public arts place.

Navigating the future…A voyage of discovery

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2003;123:107

A Conversation with Peter Schall: Building a Quality Focus at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

The Hilton Hawaiian Village with 3,000 guestrooms is the flagship of the Hilton Hotel chain. It is a splendid property overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The property is lush with flowers and native plants and trees. It is a paradise within the paradise that is called Hawaii. In this beautiful setting, I sat down with Peter Schall. Peter is the Managing Director and Area Vice President of Hawaii for the Hilton Chain. He is quite a person. His enthusiasm for quality programs and a focus on customers is contagious. His leadership shows throughout the hotel operations. Staying there is an experience that helps to make Hawaii a special place for countless of quests. The quality of the experience begins with the immaculate property and the caring nature of the employees. There is a genuine love of people at this hotel. It shows with every team member of the hotel I met from the bell captain to the housekeeping staff. It is a property that a person, who focuses on quality like myself, can enjoy just viewing the quality of operations at this hotel. Peter also has a zeal that people ought to learn about the culture of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He has sponsored various cultural events on the property and within the state of Hawaii. The new wing of the hotel will have a cultural center and museum dedicate to having visitors learn more of the history of Hawaii and its royalty. For example, I was surprised to learn from Peter that the king's palace had electric lights before the White House in Washington D.C., so much for the primitive image. Peter is from Germany. He started with the Hilton chain as a waiter in 1965. He was part of the opening team at the Hilton Washington in Washington D.C. and has been in Hawaii since 1986. It is my honor to introduce you to Peter Schall, an extraordinary leader.

X-rays Hit the Spot for Astrophysicists

About 500 astronomers flocked to Waikiki Beach from 6 to 10 November for a meeting of the American Astronomical Society's High-Energy Astrophysics Division. Looking splendid in their complimentary aloha shirts, speakers told tales of intense radiation from deep space, including x-rays from baby stars and from quasars, which could help refine estimates of how quickly the universe is expanding.

Modeling Fate of Pathogenic Organisms in Coastal Waters of Oahu, Hawaii

A comprehensive modeling study was undertaken to examine the transport and fate of pathogenic organisms in the coastal waters of Mamala Bay, the southern shore of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Specifically, two mathematical models were developed, calibrated, and validated in an attempt to understand both the relative contributions of various outfall and shoreline sources to organism counts throughout Mamala Bay and the benefits achieved by various source control options. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model was constructed to simulate the advective and dispersive processes observed in the bay. A near field plume model was coupled with the hydrodynamic model to realistically incorporate initial mixing dynamics. Results of the hydrodynamic model were then used by a pathogen fate model to predict the distributions of fecal contamination indicator organisms and specific pathogens at several locations throughout the bay. Two sources were identified as primary contributors of contamination within Mamala Bay: the outfall from the Sand Island wastewater treatment plant and the Ala Wai Canal. The relative importance of the sources was dependent on the indicator organism used to assess fecal contamination. Using the fate model results and assuming a seven consecutive day exposure, the maximum risk of infection at Waikiki Beach was estimated to be 1.3/100 for virus and 3.1/10,000 for Giardia. The upgrade of the Sand Island treatment plant to chemically-enhanced primary treatment reduced organism counts throughout the bay by about a factor of two. Additional reductions were achieved by adding disinfection or upgrading the plant to secondary treatment. The implementation of the evaluated source control options would reduce the risks of infection at Waikiki Beach.

Characterization of marine aggregates off Waikiki, O'ahu, Hawai'i

Researchers at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa have been working for the past several years to develop the necessary techniques for finding and quantitatively characterizing offshore unconsolidated carbonate deposits with potential for beach nourishment and use in construction aggregates for tropical island communities. This article examines particular results of this research, with special attention given to the area offshore from Waikiki Beach. Acoustic surveying, water‐jet probing to measure the thickness of unconsolidated material and three different sampling methods were used in this study. Two separate seismic systems were used for the subbottom profiling survey, a Datasonics Bubble‐Pulser® system and a broad‐band, frequency‐modulated ("chirp") prototype system. The following conclusions were reached. (1) Many different types of sediment underlie tropical island carbonate sand deposits and serve as refusing horizons to jet probing. Examples include consolidated or unconsolidated reef debris, beach rock, cemented sand, and various types of conglomerates formed from rhodoliths (coralline algae) or reef detritus. (2) Massive coral growth over clastic deposits is not a common offshore feature in this area, though it does occur in some areas off the Reef Runway. (3) Matrices of the coral Porites compressa, in‐filled with sand, may have acoustic properties similar to those of the sand bodies. Such deposits may be difficult to distinguish from unconsolidated deposits from seismic records alone. (4) Significant new prospects for offshore aggregates were found in the insular shelf offshore from Southern O'ahu. A total of 5,100,000 m3 were mapped off Waikiki. The Makua Shelf deposits in this area presently appear to be the best prospects for commercial development.

Report on the 1997 SSA Meeting In Honolulu, Hawaii

The 92nd Annual Meeting of the Seismological Society of America was held on April 9–11, 1997 at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii. The meeting was hosted by the University of Hawaii at Manoa; Patricia Cooper was the meeting chairperson, and Gerard Fryer and Neil Frazer chaired the program committee. Over 200 presentations were made at the meeting, which had a registration of 250. The meeting venue was comfortable and attractive, and both the poster sessions and the talks were well attended. The annual luncheon featured several notable events. The SSA Medal was awarded to Jim Brune of the University of Nevada at Reno. Bruce Bolt (University of California at Berkeley), David Boore (U.S. Geological Survey) and Tom McEvilly (University of California at Berkeley), all former BSSA editors, were named as honorary members of the SSA. Finally, Steve Wesnousky delivered the presidential address. Local television and newspapers covered...

Coliphage and indigenous phage in Mamala Bay, Oahu, Hawaii.

Public concern over the discharge of primarily treated sewage by two offshore outfalls in Mamala Bay, Oahu, prompted a multidisciplinary study to determine the impact of such activities on the water quality in the bay and at adjacent recreational beaches. As part of this study, we determined the abundance of coliphage as an indicator of fecal pollution along with total viral direct counts and phages infective for Vibrio parahaemoltyicus 16 at stations in Mamala Bay in four quarterly samplings over 13 months. Coliphage (< 1 to 1.2 x 10(3)/liter) were found during each quarterly sampling along an offshore transect to the Sand Island waste treatment facility outfall. The nonpoint coastal stations (Pearl Harbor, Ala Wai Canal, and Ke'ehi Lagoon) had high levels of coliphage during the storm event sampling in February 1994 but much lower levels or none when sampled during dry weather. Coliphage were absent at all samplings at Waikiki Beach and at the control station off Diamond Head. Viral direct counts in eutrophic coastal stations (Pearl Harbor, Ke'ehi Lagoon, Ala Moana Beach, and Ala Wai canal) averaged 10(9)/liter, while counts at offshore stations ranged from 9 x 10(7) to 1 x 10(9) viruses/liter, values similar to those for other marine environments. Vibriophage were found mainly in eutrophic coastal environments (Ala Wai Canal, Pearl Harbor, and Ke'ehi Lagoon) and at the Sand Island Transect stations D1 and D2. The greatest abundance was found during the storm event (February 1994) sampling. These results suggest that the Sand Island outfall influenced the water quality of the immediate surrounding waters but had little effect on the quality of the recreational beaches. Nonpoint discharge sources appeared to be more important in the distribution of fecal indicators in the coastal zone.

Nearshore circulation and dredged material transport at Waikiki Beach

The possibility of using offshore sand deposits as a source of material was recently studied as part of a beach nourishment project at Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. The borrow site is located approximately 1100 meters off the beach. A finite difference model of water circulation and fine particle transport is used to study dredge-induced far field turbidity concentrations. The influence of the dredging pit at the borrow site on the stability of the nearshore ocean bottom and on the beach is analyzed using the Bailard sediment transport model in the onshore-offshore direction. Model results show that effects of the dredging operation on the beach would be negligible. A maximum sediment accumulation on the ocean bottom of 0.3 kg/m 2 (or equivalently, a 0.2 mm thick layer) is predicted for one day of operation, which is considered acceptable.