National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

Kalaupapa National Historical Park Marine Fish

Monitoring Program Trend Report for 2006-2010

Pacific Island Network

Natural Resource Report NPS/KALA/NRR—2015/1026
ON THE COVER

Bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis) and other herbivores at Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i. 

Photograph by: Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park Marine Fish

Monitoring Program Trend Report for 2006-2010

Pacific Island Network

Natural Resource Report NPS/KALA/NRR—2015/1026

Eric Brown, Sylvester Lee, and Kimberly Tice

National Park Service

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

P.O. Box 2222

Kalaupapa, Moloka'i, Hawai'i 96742

September 2015

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 

Fort Collins, Colorado

 

 
ii

The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, 

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This report received informal peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly 

involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting of the data. In addition, data in this report were 

collected and analyzed using methods based on established, peer-reviewed protocols and were

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Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not 

necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the 

Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or 

recommendation for use by the U.S. Government.

This report is available from NPS Inventory and Monitoring, Pacific Island Network 

(http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/pacn/index.cfm) and the Natural Resource Publications 

Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/nrpm/). To receive this report in a 

format optimized for screen readers, please email irma@nps.gov.

Please cite this publication as:

Brown, E., S. J. Lee, and K. Tice. 2015. Kalaupapa National Historical Park marine fish

monitoring program trend report for 2006-2010: Pacific Island Network. Natural Resource 

Report NPS/KALA/NRR—2015/1026. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

NPS 491/129694, September 2015
iii

Contents 

Page

Figures............................................................................................................................................. v

Figures (continued)........................................................................................................................ vi

Tables............................................................................................................................................ vii

Executive Summary....................................................................................................................... ix

Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... xi

List of Terms and Acronyms ......................................................................................................... xi

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1

Methods........................................................................................................................................... 5

Sampling Locations................................................................................................................. 5

Survey Methods....................................................................................................................... 5

Data Analysis........................................................................................................................... 6

Results............................................................................................................................................. 9

Status of Fish Assemblage Characteristics.............................................................................. 9

Trophic Composition of the Fish Assemblage ...................................................................... 12

Top Ten Fish Species............................................................................................................. 14

Trends in Fish Assemblage Characteristics........................................................................... 14

Endemic Species.................................................................................................................... 15

Invasive Species..................................................................................................................... 17

Discussion..................................................................................................................................... 19

Literature Cited ............................................................................................................................. 29

Appendix A. Metadata for Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010. ...................... 35

Appendix B: Database Queries Used to Generate Reports........................................................... 41

v

Figures

Page

Figure 1. Map of the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) showing Kalaupapa National 

Historical Park with the park boundary delineated as a red line in the inset. ................................. 2

Figure 2. Sampling frame between 10 m and 20 m depth on hard bottom substrate 

(light red polygon) at Kalaupapa National Historical Park ............................................................ 5

Figure 3. Fish species richness (no.125 m-2) at the 15 fixed sites and 75 temporary 

sites surveyed in Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010......................................... 9

Figure 4. Fish density (no. m-2) at the 15 fixed sites and 75 temporary sites surveyed 

in Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010. ............................................................. 10

Figure 5. Fish biomass (g m-2) at the 15 fixed sites and 75 temporary sites surveyed 

in Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010 .............................................................. 11

Figure 6 Fish diversity (H’) at the 15 fixed sites and 75 temporary sites surveyed in 

Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010 .................................................................. 12

Figure 7. Relative density of fish consumer groups at Kalaupapa National Historical 

Park averaged from 2006-2010..................................................................................................... 13

Figure 8. Relative biomass of fish consumer groups at Kalaupapa National Historical 

Park averaged from 2006-2010..................................................................................................... 13

Figure 9. Fish species richness (no.125 m-2) at the 15 fixed sites (solid line) and 15 

temporary sites (dashed lines) surveyed in each year at Kalaupapa National Historical 

Park from 2006-2010. ................................................................................................................... 15

Figure 10. Fish density (no. m-2) at the 15 fixed sites (solid line) and 15 temporary 

sites (dashed line) surveyed in each year at Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 

2006-2010 ..................................................................................................................................... 16

Figure 11. Fish biomass (g m-2) at the 15 fixed sites (solid line) and 15 temporary 

sites (dashed line) surveyed in each year at Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 

2006-2010 ..................................................................................................................................... 16

Figure 12. Fish diversity (H’) at the 15 fixed sites (solid line) and 15 temporary sites 

(dashed line) surveyed in each year at Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-

2010............................................................................................................................................... 17

Figure 13. Map showing the relative magnitude and direction of near-surface tidal 

currents, in meters per second from true north ............................................................................. 20
vi

Figures (continued)

Page

Figure 14. Average direction and strength of surface currents around Hawai‘i. Units: 

cm/s (25 cm/s = 0.5 knot) ............................................................................................................. 20

Figure 15. Typical substrate profile at Kalaupapa NHP (a) and Hanalei Bay, Kaua‘i 

(b), which are both northern, wave-exposed coastlines around the MHI..................................... 23

Figure 16. Mean fish biomass (metric tons per hectare: mt ha-2) at various island 

locations in the Pacific and the Caribbean.................................................................................... 26

Figure 17. Combined sea surface temperature (SST) record using National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS) data for Koko Head, Oahu (1956–1992) and corrected 

Integrated Global Ocean Services System–National Meteorological Center (IGOSS–

NMC) temperature data ................................................................................................................ 27
vii

Tables

Page

Table 1. Top ten fish species by density (no. m-2) at Kalaupapa National Historical 

Park averaged over the study period from 2006 to 2010.............................................................. 14

Table 2. Top ten fish species by biomass (g m-2) at Kalaupapa National Historical 

Park averaged over the study period from 2006 to 2010.............................................................. 14

ix

Executive Summary

Kalaupapa National Historical Park (NHP) is located on the north shore of the island of Moloka'i 

and encompasses a wide variety of habitats from submerged marine resources to lowland coastal, 

mesic, and rainforest habitats as well as three offshore islands. The marine boundary of the park 

extends a quarter mile offshore around the park shoreline and encompasses approximately 2,000 

acres. Kalaupapa NHP is one of four parks within the Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program 

of the Pacific Islands Network (PACN) where marine Vital Signs (i.e. an indicator of physical, 

chemical, biological elements or ecosystem processes selected to represent the overall health or 

condition of natural resources within parks) for the fish and benthic communities are monitored 

by peer-reviewed standardized protocols.

The objective of I&M PACN Marine Fish Monitoring Protocol at Kalaupapa NHP is to annually 

determine the density and size of reef fishes at sites randomly selected on hard substrata between 

the 10 and 20 m depths (Brown et al. 2011b). From 2006-2010, a total of 150 transects (the 

sampling unit), each 25 m in length, were sampled. A split panel sampling design was used with 

30 transects sampled annually. Fifteen transects were randomly established in 2006 as permanent 

transects and subsequently surveyed on an annual basis. The remaining 15 temporary transects 

were randomly selected each year and surveyed only in that year. Data collection consisted of a 

visual count and size estimation of all fishes within 25 x 5 m underwater belt transects. Scientific 

divers were used to conduct these surveys and focused on all diurnal or day-active fish species.

This report includes the status and trends of the fish populations observed at all 150 transects at 

Kalaupapa NHP from 2006-2010 as determined by implementation of the I&M PACN Benthic 

Marine Community Monitoring Protocol (Brown et al. 2011b).

Spatial patterns for the fish data indicated that:

• Fish species richness ranged from 11- 45 per transect with a total of 132 species 

documented from 2006-2010. Overall mean richness was 26.0 ± 7.1 SD species per 

transect from 2006-2010. No clear pattern was observed in the spatial distribution of fish 

species richness.

• Fish species density ranged from 0.3-4.9 fish m-2

. Overall mean was 1.5 ± 1.1 SD fish m-2

from 2006-2010. Fish density was higher around the northern tip of the peninsula, while 

the lowest fish densities were located along the eastern and western portions of the park.

• Fish biomass ranged from 8.1-1299.8 grams (g) m-2. Overall mean was 208.7 ± 212.6 SD

g m-2 from 2006-2010. No clear pattern was observed in the spatial distribution of fish 

biomass, with high and low values documented throughout the park. However, fish 

biomass was higher at several points along the peninsula, most likely due to large 

predators such as Caranx melampygus (bluefin trevally) and the introduced 

Cephalopholis argus (blue-spotted grouper).

• Fish diversity (H’) ranged from 0.7- 3.1 at all transects from 2006-2010. Overall mean 

was 2.15 ± 0.04 SE H’ from 2006-2010. No clear pattern was observed in the spatial 

distribution of fish diversity.
x

Ten fish species made up 63.5% of the total fish biomass. Of these, one was an apex predator, 

five were primary consumers, and four were secondary consumers. In terms of density, Chromis 

vanderbilti, a small planktivorous damselfish, was by far the most abundant species. This species

was seven times more abundant than the next most common species in the park, the primary 

consumer Kyphosus spp. Five of the top ten most abundant species by density were primary 

consumers, and five were secondary consumers.

Trends for the fish data indicated that: 

• Mean fish species richness remained relatively stable from 2006-2008 (mean 27.3 ± 0.8 

SE species per transect), but declined significantly in 2009 (mean 23.7 ± 1.2 SE species 

per transect) and remained at this lower level in 2010 (mean 24.4 ± 1.0 SE species per 

transect).

• Mean fish species density remained relatively stable from 2006-2008 (mean 1.8 ± 0.1 SE 

fish m-2) but declined in 2009 (mean 1.0 ± 0.1 fish m-2) and then remained stable in 2010 

(mean 1.3 ± 0.2 fish m-2).

• Mean fish biomass remained relatively stable between 2006 and 2010 (mean 208.7 ± 17.4 

SE g m-2).

• Mean fish diversity (H’) was relatively similar in all years from 2006-2010 (mean 2.15 ± 

0.04 SE H’), except in 2008, when it was 1.9 ± 0.1 SE H’.

• 32 endemic fish species (24% of the total number of fish species) comprised 12.4% of the 

total fish density and 7.2% of the total fish biomass. This pattern did not appear to change 

from 2006 – 2010.

• Four invasive fish species, (3% of the total number of fish species), three introduced by 

humans and one recent colonizer, comprised 1.5% of the total fish density and 7.5% of 

the total fish biomass. The two primary introduced species (Lutjanus kasmira and 

Cephalopholis argus [peacock grouper]) accounted for 99% of the invasive fish biomass. 

This pattern also did not appear to change from 2006 – 2010.

Possible explanations for each of the observed patterns are presented in the discussion. At 

present, the fish assemblage at Kalaupapa appears to be stable and relatively healthy in terms of 

density and biomass compared to other sites around the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI).
xi

Acknowledgments 

We would like to thank Randall Watanuki, other Kalaupapa NHP staff, and all the volunteers at 

Kalaupapa National Historical Park for their continuing logistical support in implementing the 

I&M PACN Marine Fish Monitoring Protocol to collect data for this report. We could not have 

done the work without their support.

List of Terms and Acronyms

PACN: Pacific Island Network

I&M: Inventory and Monitoring Program

Trophic groups: groups or organisms defined by nutritional habits and requirements

MHI: main Hawaiian Islands

NWHI: northwestern Hawaiian Islands

km: kilometers

m: meters

1

Introduction

The marine fish assemblage community in the Pacific Island Network (PACN) is an ecologically 

diverse system with numerous trophic groups intertwined within extensive coral reef ecosystems.

In most tropical marine parks, coral reefs form the geomorphologic framework of the ecosystem. 

These ecosystems have been compared to tropical rainforests because of their high species 

diversity and complex interactions (Connell 1978, Birkeland 1997). Because of their importance 

ecologically, culturally and economically, it is critical that Pacific Island Network (PACN) parks 

have scientifically rigorous data on the current health and long-term trends of the marine fish 

communities within their boundaries. Within coral reefs, marine fishes are one of the most 

visible and certainly the most exploited resource.

Coral reef fish assemblages are essential to the traditional lifestyles and cultures of Hawaiian, 

Samoan, Chamorro, Carolinean and other peoples in the islands throughout the PACN. 

Furthermore, coral reef fishes provide critical elements of commerce from local and charter-sport 

fishing, as well as other visitor recreational activities (e.g., snorkeling, scuba diving, boating), 

which are major economic drivers throughout the Pacific Islands (Cesar et al. 2002, Waddell 

2005). Because of the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of these assemblages, it is 

critical that the PACN parks continue to collect scientifically rigorous data on the current health 

and long-term trends of these crucial fish communities as well as their associated habitats.

The PACN Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program is one of 32 National Park Service (NPS) 

I&M Networks across the country facilitating collaboration, information sharing, and economies 

of scale in natural resources monitoring. The NPS I&M program was funded by Congress in 

2001 to implement peer-reviewed standardized protocols to collect data on numerous Vital Signs

for natural resources. A Vital Sign is an indicator of physical, chemical, biological elements, or 

ecosystem processes selected to represent the overall health or condition of natural resources 

within parks. The PACN marine fish Vital Sign is most closely linked with the benthic marine 

Vital Sign, and monitoring efforts are co-located and sampled at the same time to maximize data 

value. A copy of the marine fish protocol can be found on the National Park Service website, 

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/pacn/publications.cfm. This Vital Sign monitoring 

protocol is implemented in four parks: Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Kalaupapa 

National Historical Park, National Park of American Samoa, and War in the Pacific National 

Historical Park.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is located in Hawai'i on the north shore of the island of 

Moloka'i, and encompasses not only submerged marine resources, but also lowland coastal, 

mesic, and rainforest habitats (Figure 1). This park is one of the few in the NPS system that 

includes entire watersheds and their adjacent nearshore marine habitats within its boundaries. 

The park preserves and interprets the history and story of the Kalaupapa settlement and Hansen’s 

disease patients, but public visitation is restricted by state permit to 100 people per day. 

Encompassing approximately 2,000 ac (809 hectares), the marine boundary of the park extends 

from the shoreline to a quarter mile (0.4 km) offshore, where waters are about 33 m deep. 

Significant marine resources include threatened (green sea turtle [Chelonia mydas]) and

endangered (monk seal [Monachus schauinslandi], humpback whale [Megaptera novaeangliae]) 

species, high wave energy coral reef communities, and relatively intact marine intertidal and fish 

resources. The hard bottom substrate consists of basalt pavement and boulders colonized by coral 
2

communities with <25% coral cover (Fung Associates, Inc. and SWCA Environment 

Consultants 2010). Sandy bottoms extend out from the rivers draining the three principal 

watersheds within the park. Several offshore islands within the park boundaries also contain 

relatively intact marine assemblages typical of vertical, exposed coastlines (Coles et al. 2008). 

The primary physical disturbance to the marine community consists of large (8 to10 m) 

northwest Pacific swells in the winter months (October – April) (Fung Associates, Inc. and 

SWCA Environment Consultants 2010).

Figure 1. Map of the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) showing Kalaupapa National Historical Park with the 

park boundary delineated as a red line in the inset.

The initial source of information on fish assemblages at Kalaupapa NHP is from Beets et al. 

(2010) who surveyed the reefs from 2004 to 2005. Their data on species richness, numerical 

density, biomass, and diversity was the first known study to document fish habitat utilization 

patterns within the park boundaries. Beets et al. (2010) reported that Kalaupapa NHP had the fish 

species most commonly found in Hawai‘i with high fish density and biomass compared to other 

areas around the state. Recently, Coles et al. (2008) surveyed the offshore islands in and around 

the park for unique fish species, numerical density levels, biomass, and diversity. Reef 

Environmental Education Foundation (REEF; www.reef.org) also has two sites on the north 

coast of Moloka'i that provide species checklist information in similar habitats to the park.

The methodology to monitor coral reef fishes has been developed over the past 25 years, 

resulting in several commonly used survey techniques (e.g., Bohnsack and Bannerot 1986, 

Rogers et al. 1994, English et al. 1997, Samoilys 1997, Sweatman et al. 1998, Atlantic and Gulf 

Kaua‘i

Ni‘ihau

O‘ahu

Moloka‘i

Lana‘i

Maui

Kaho‘olawe

Hawai‘i

Kalaupapa Harbor
3

Rapid Reef Assessment 2000, Hill and Wilkinson 2004). The technique adopted to collect 

scientifically rigorous data on the status and long-term trends of the fish communities for PACN 

consisted of a visual count and size estimation of fish by scientific divers along underwater 25 m 

x 5 m belt transects (Brown et al. 2011b). This non-destructive technique initiated in 2006 

addressed one primary monitoring question and corresponding objective. The question is; what 

are the long-term trends in the numerical density, biomass, and size of reef fishes in a park? The 

primary objective is to annually determine the density, biomass, and size of one major 

component of the coral reef fish community—the diurnal or day-active fish species that are 

highly visible due to their mobile behavior and generally larger size. These species are the most 

heavily targeted by local fishers. While the small, cryptic or nocturnal species contribute to 

biodiversity and may be of ecological or management importance, the additional effort and time 

required to sample these fishes is not feasible with available resources in a park. Sample sites are 

randomly selected on hard substrata between the 10 and 20 meter depths (selected for ecologic 

and safety reasons).

The visual estimate of fish size is an important component of these surveys for several reasons. 

First, lengths allow a conversion from fish numbers to biomass by using established lengthweight relationships (e.g., Friedlander et al. 2007). Second, lengths are often a useful indicator of 

fishing pressure or population dynamics, e.g., a trend of decreasing sizes may indicate 

overfishing, or recruitment year classes (Bejarano et al. 2013). Third, there is a strong positive 

correlation between fish size and fecundity (reproductive potential) which, along with 

recruitment success, is important in assessing ecological services provided by park fish 

assemblages (Saenz-Aqudelo et al. 2015).

Fishing is allowed in Kalaupapa NHP, but State of Hawai‘i laws and County of Kalawao 

community rules regulate resource use within the park’s marine waters (National Park Service, 

2015). NPS law enforcement rangers, who are also deputized in the County of Kalawao, enforce 

these laws and community rules. The rules and regulations listed below vary depending on 

whether the fisher is a Hansen ’s disease patient, employee resident, or visitor/guest.

Hansen’s disease Patients are exempt from state laws regarding gear type, seasonal closure, bag 

limits and size limits. Community sentiment, however, does oppose the sale of any fisheries 

catch, especially outside of the settlement.

State and federal employees at Kalaupapa must follow state laws for seasonal closures, bag 

limits, gear types, and size limits. Employee residents are allowed to subsistence fish and take 

fish out for their families, but are discouraged from selling their catch. Community rules 

specifically prohibit employees from scuba diving except on behalf of the NPS marine research 

program.

Visitors on boats may legally fish and even travel within the park boundaries, but this is 

discouraged unless they are sponsored by patients or employee residents of Kalaupapa. 

Regardless of sponsorship, they must still follow state laws regarding seasonal closures, bag 

limits, gear types, and size limits. These fishing practices by people outside of the settlement, 

however, are discouraged by patients and employee residents and viewed as disrespectful of the 

stewardship ethic that is currently in place. It should be noted that commercial activities within 

the park boundary, such as charter dive boats and fishing vessels, must adhere to the park’s 
4

enabling legislation which states that patients have a “first right of refusal to provide revenueproducing visitor services” (State of Hawai‘i Public Law 96-565, Section 107). Sponsored 

visitors on boats who do come ashore have to follow the same rules and regulations as visitors 

who arrive by plane or on land (See “Onshore visitors” below).

Onshore visitors must have a park-based sponsor and are more tightly regulated than patients, 

government employees, or boat visitors. They may only pole and line fish from shore. They may 

not use nets or spears, pick intertidal invertebrates, or scuba dive at any point within the park. 

The Kalaupapa Patient Advisory Council instituted the rule to limit outside visitors from most 

fishing activities and picking intertidal invertebrates (Langlas et al. 2008). An additional rule for 

visitors is that they can fish within the settlement without an escort, but going outside of the 

settlement requires a patient or employee resident escort. Violators of these rules are banned 

from future visits. Even though it is not a community rule or state law, patients and employee 

residents prefer that any fishery resources caught within the park be consumed at Kalaupapa.

The purpose of this report was to examine the changes in the marine fish assemblage at 

Kalaupapa NHP from 2006 to 2010. First, an overview of fish assemblage characteristics from 

2006 to 2010 is presented for species richness, density, biomass and diversity using spatial 

distribution maps. Second, the trophic composition of the entire assemblage averaged over the 

study period was examined for both density and biomass. Third, the top ten species from 2006 to 

2010 in terms of density and biomass were listed to examine specific components of the 

assemblage. Fourth, trends in the entire assemblage from 2006-2010 were plotted for species 

richness, density, biomass, and diversity. Finally, temporal patterns for endemic and invasive

fish species were examined in terms of fish density and biomass. It should be noted that there are 

no endangered or threatened marine fish species reported from Hawai‘i (U. S. Fish Wildlife 

Service 2015).
5

Methods

Sampling Locations

A split panel design was used with 30 belt transects (25 m long x 5 m wide) sampled annually 

between 2006 and 2010 (Brown et al. 2011b). All transects were randomly selected using 

ArcGIS® within the Kalaupapa NHP sampling frame (Figure 2), which includes all fore-reef 

slope, hard bottom communities between 10 and 20 m depths within the park’s legislated 

boundaries plus adjacent coastal areas that may impact (or be impacted by) the park. Fifteen

fixed (permanent) transects were randomly selected at the onset of the monitoring program in 

2006 and marked with stainless steel pins for relocation purposes. These sites were subsequently 

sampled each year. The remaining 15 temporary transects were randomly selected each year of 

monitoring and sampled only once without replacement. Transects were located in the field using 

a GPS unit.

Figure 2. Sampling frame between 10 m and 20 m depth on hard bottom substrate (light red polygon) at 

Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Sand habitat is shown by yellow polygons. Black line indicates park 

boundary including 1⁄4 mile (0.4 km) into the marine environment.

Survey Methods

Fish surveys occurred during the summer months from July through August in concurrence with 

the benthic and water quality protocols. At each site, the fish observer, using SCUBA, deployed 

a transect line along a constant depth contour which was typically parallel to shore. Locations, 
6

bearings, and depths of all transects are in Appendix A. The observer counted and estimated the 

total length (to the nearest centimeter) of all fishes encountered along the distance of this transect 

in the 5 m wide belt. Data were recorded on pre-printed waterproof forms attached to a slate. The 

location, bearing, survey date, and depth of transects, which constitute the sampling unit, were 

recorded after each dive. Total area sampled on each transect was 125 m2 for a total area of 3750

m

2 across all 30 transects each year.

Data Analysis

Fish species richness for each transect was calculated by summing the number of different 

species observed per transect area (125 m2).

Fish density at each transect was calculated as the total number of fish observed within each 

transect area of 125 m2. This value was converted to number per square meter (no. m-2) to 

facilitate comparisons with other studies.

Length estimates of fishes were converted to biomass using the following length-mass 

relationship derived for each species: Mass = a*(Standard Length)b where a and b are speciesspecific constants for the allometric growth equation, standard length (SL) is in millimeters, and 

mass is in grams (Kulbicki et al. 1993, Friedlander et al. 2003). Total length was converted to 

standard length using conversion factors obtained from FishBase (www.fishbase.org). Length–

mass fitting parameters were available for 150 species commonly observed on visual fish 

transects in Hawai'i from the Hawai'i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (Friedlander et. al., 

1997). This was supplemented with information from other published and web-based sources. In

the cases where length–mass information did not exist for a given species, the parameters from 

similar bodied congeners are used. Biomass estimates for each transect were converted to grams 

per square meter (g m-2

) to facilitate comparisons with other studies worldwide.

The Shannon index (H’) was used to calculate species diversity within each transect using the 

following formula:

where S is the total number of species and pi is the frequency of the ith species in that transect.

To determine the trophic composition of the fish assemblage, each species was classified as a 

primary consumer, secondary consumer, or apex predator. In a coral reef ecosystem, primary 

consumers are fish that consume primary producers such as phytoplankton, seaweeds and sea 

grasses. Secondary consumers include larger reef fishes such as triggerfish, parrotfish, and 

wrasses that feed on the primary consumers as well as producers. Planktivores were included in 

this group for the graphical display, but several noteworthy species are discussed since 

planktivores have different spatial patterns over reef communities compared to other secondary 

consumers. Tertiary consumers or apex predators are the top of the food chain and include 

sharks, groupers, jacks, and the larger snappers. Information on fish trophic group classifications 

was obtained from Friedlander et al. (1997), FishBase, and other web-based sources.
7

A general linear mixed model in the R statistical software (ver. 2.15.3, lmer in the lmerTest

package) was used for trend estimation of fish species richness, density, biomass, and diversity 

(R Core Team 2012). To meet the assumptions of normality, data were transformed using a 

square root (√x) transformation for fish species richness and a log(x+1) transformation for 

density and biomass (Zar 1999). The raw data for diversity was used in the analysis since it was 

normally distributed. The main fish assemblage characteristics (fish species richness, density, 

biomass, and diversity) were analyzed separately in the general linear mixed model as the 

dependent variables. The Satterthwaite approximation for denominator degrees of freedom was 

used in the lmerTest package to generate p-values for the t-statistic at α = 0.05 (Kuznetsova et al. 

2013).

For all data sets, a unique identifier for transect number was treated as a random site effect along 

with year. The inclusion of the random effect for year in the model addressed the temporal 

autocorrelation among sites surveyed at the same time. The lmerTest package defaults to 

compound symmetric correlation structure, which assigns the same correlation to all sites 

measured in the same year and this correlation is also the same for all years. It is a general 

structure, and Pinhiero and Bates (2004) state that it is useful for short time series since there is 

not enough time to model the decay of an autoregressive model. Compound symmetry 

correlation structure, however, may be too simplistic for longer time series; therefore, it will be 

evaluated in later trend reports. Similarly, the site-level random effect is the same for each site 

across all years and the same variance component is contributed to the total variance for all 

measurements for a particular site. In the model, a standardized covariate was generated for trend 

estimation and entered as a fixed factor in the model with the year variable starting at year 0.

This variable was more stable than the year covariate for trend estimation and will be useful in 

future iterations of the trend reports (Starcevich 2013). The trend analysis also incorporated both 

fixed and temporary transects to examine temporal patterns for trend estimation with increased 

spatial distribution for robust status estimation (Starcevich 2013). In future years with a larger 

data set, it may be informative to conduct additional analyses with just fixed or temporary 

transects to examine the measurement effects of sampling in the same location compared to new 

areas. This analysis was not conducted in the present study, however, due to the small data set. 

Temporal autocorrelation was examined post hoc by assessing the homogeneity of random 

effects groups using paired plots of the site effects for each year. The slopes of the random sites 

were plotted against random site intercepts by year and included both fixed and temporary 

transects. The patterns for the fixed transects displayed no obvious relationship, but a linear 

relationship did exist for the temporary transects. This result for the temporary transects, 

however, may be due to the lack of replication for a given site, so it is reasonable to assume 

independence among years and sites (Piepho and Ogutu 2002). Overall, the results indicated that 

the assumptions were met and that autocorrelation was not a significant issue.

See Starcevich (2013) for a complete description of the analysis and R programming code.

9

Results

A total of 15 fixed (once each year) and 75 temporary transects (total all years) were surveyed at 

Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010 (Appendix A). The queries used to retrieve 

the data for the ArcGIS maps, charts, and statistical analyses are listed in Appendix B.

Status of Fish Assemblage Characteristics

Fish species richness ranged from 11 to 45 species per transect (125 m

2

) from 2006 to 2010 with

a total of 132 species found around the park (Figure 3). Transects with the highest species 

richness values (e.g., temporary transect 8 in 2007) were found near the northern tip of the 

peninsula while the transect with the lowest species richness (fixed transect 6 in 2006 and 2007) 

was found along the northwestern portion of the peninsula. Low species richness was also found 

along the southeastern portion of the peninsula to the easternmost boundary of the park.

Figure 3. Fish species richness (no.125 m-2) at the 15 fixed sites and 75 temporary sites surveyed in

Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010 (N = 150 total transects [15 fixed averaged over 5 

years, 75 temporary]).
10

The density of fishes at all transects from 2006 to 2010 ranged from 0.3-4.9 fish m-2 (Figure 4). 

Transects with the highest densities (e.g., fixed transect 5 in 2008) were concentrated near the 

northwestern portion of the peninsula and extended around to the northeastern section. The

lowest densities (e.g., temporary transect 13 in 2009) were located near the eastern and western 

boundaries of the park.

Figure 4. Fish density (no. m-2) at the 15 fixed sites and 75 temporary sites surveyed in Kalaupapa 

National Historical Park from 2006-2010 (N = 150 total transects [15 fixed averaged over 5 years, 75 

temporary]).
11

Fish biomass ranged between 4.1 and 1,299.8 g m-2 at all transects from 2006 to 2010 (Figure 5). 

Fixed transect 6, located along the northwestern coast of the peninsula, had the lowest biomass in 

2007 at just 4.1 g m-2

. In comparison, temporary transect 10, located on the western side of the 

peninsula, had the highest biomass at 1,299.8 g m-2 in 2008, while temporary transect 3 in 2010, 

located on the western coast of the peninsula, also had a high biomass level of 1,212.1 g m-2.

Figure 5. Fish biomass (g m-2) at the 15 fixed sites and 75 temporary sites surveyed in Kalaupapa 

National Historical Park from 2006-2010 (N = 150 total transects [15 fixed averaged for 5 years, 75 

temporary]).
12

Fish diversity (H’) ranged from 0.73 to 3.13 at all transects from 2006 to 2010 (Figure 6). 

Temporary transect 5, which was surveyed in 2008 on the northwestern portion of the peninsula 

had the lowest species diversity at 0.73 H’. In contrast, fixed transect 11 on the southeastern 

section of the peninsula had the highest species diversity at 3.13 in 2009.

Figure 6 Fish diversity (H’) at the 15 fixed sites and 75 temporary sites surveyed in Kalaupapa National 

Historical Park from 2006-2010 (N = 150 total transects [15 fixed averaged for 5 years, 75 temporary]).

Trophic Composition of the Fish Assemblage

The average trophic composition of the fish assemblage at Kalaupapa NHP from 2006 to 2010 

varied in terms of density and biomass. Secondary consumers accounted for approximately 77% 

of the fish density observed during surveys from 2006-2010, with apex predators accounting for 

1%, and primary consumers making up the remaining 22% (Figure 7). Planktivores comprised 

54% of the total density and 70% of the secondary consumers. In comparison, the relative 

biomass of secondary consumers was only 36% (10% planktivores), compared to 10% for apex 

predators and 54% for primary consumers (Figure 8).
13

Figure 7. Relative density of fish consumer groups at Kalaupapa National Historical Park averaged from

2006-2010. Note that Planktivores (54%) are broken out from the other Secondary Consumers (23%).

Figure 8. Relative biomass of fish consumer groups at Kalaupapa National Historical Park averaged from 

2006-2010. Note that Planktivores (10%) are broken out from the other Secondary Consumers (26%).

22%

54%

23%

1%

Primary

Planktivores

Secondary

Apex

54%

10%

26%

10%

Primary

Planktivores

Secondary

Apex
14

Top Ten Fish Species

In terms of density, Chromis vanderbilti, a small planktivorous damselfish,was by far the most 

abundant species found at Kalaupapa from 2006-2010 with 108.2 m-2 documented (Table 1). It 

was seven times more abundant than the next most common species in the park, the primary 

consumer Kyphosus spp. The bulk of the biomass, however, was accounted for by three species: 

Kyphosus spp. (7,435.9 g m-2

), the secondary consumer Bodianus albotaeniatus (1,830.2 g m-2), 

and the secondary consumer Naso hexacanthus (1,724.9 gm-2). Five of the top ten most abundant

species by density were secondary consumers, while five were primary consumers (Table 2). The 

top ten most abundant species by biomass were composed of five primary consumers, four 

secondary consumers, and one apex predator (Table 2).

Table 1. Top ten fish species by density (no. m-2) at Kalaupapa National Historical Park averaged over 

the study period from 2006 to 2010. Common names are from Randall (1996).

Species Common Name Hawaiian Name Consumer Group Density

(no. m-2)

Chromis vanderbilti blackfin chromis unknown Secondary (Planktivore) 108.2

Kyphosus spp. rudderfish nenue Primary 14.9

Acanthurus leucopareius whitebar surgeonfish māikoiko Primary 8.4

Thalassoma duperrey saddle wrasse hinālea lauwili Secondary 7.9

Acanthurus nigrofuscus brown surgeonfish mā‘i‘i‘i Primary 7.2

Paracirrhites arcatus arc-eye hawkfish piliko‘a Secondary 7.1

Chromis ovalis oval chromis unknown Secondary (Planktivore) 6.3

Ctenochaetus strigosus goldring surgeonfish kole Secondary 5.9

Acanthurus triostegus convict surgeonfish manini Primary 4.0

Naso hexacanthus sleek unicornfish kala holo Secondary 3.7

Table 2. Top ten fish species by biomass (g m-2) at Kalaupapa National Historical Park averaged over the 

study period from 2006 to 2010. Common names are from Randall (1996).

Species Common Name Hawaiian Name Consumer Group Biomass 

(g m-2)

Kyphosus spp. rudderfish nenue Primary 7435.9

Bodianus albotaeniatus Hawaiian hogfish ‘a‘awa Secondary 1830.2

Naso hexacanthus sleek unicornfish kala holo Secondary (Planktivore) 1724.9

Acanthurus olivaceus orangeband surgeonfish na‘ena‘e Primary 1596.1

Acanthurus leucopareius whitebar surgeonfish māikoiko Primary 1559.7

Lutjanus kasmira bluestripe snapper ta‘ape Secondary 1437.8

Naso lituratus orangespine unicornfish umaumalei Primary 1337.0

Caranx melampygus bluefin trevally ‘ōmilu Apex 1079.3

Naso unicornis bluespine unicornfish kala Primary 957.0

Ctenochaetus strigosus goldring surgeonfish kole Secondary 917.7

Trends in Fish Assemblage Characteristics

For the 30 transects (15 fixed and 15 temporary) surveyed annually, mean fish species richness 

showed a slight decline from 2006 (27.0 ± 1.2 SE) to 2010 (24.4 ± 1.0 SE, Figure 9). The twosided trend test indicated that this decline was significant at an α = 0.05 level (t = -2.21, p = 

0.03). In comparison, the trend in mean fish density did not change significantly from 2006 to 

2010 even though the data suggested a slight decline (t = -1.88, p = 0.14, Figure 10). In 2006, 

mean fish density was 1.8 ± 0.2 SE fish m-2 , while in 2010 that number was down to 1.3 ± 0.2

SE fish m-2

. Mean fish biomass remained relatively stable (t = -1.10, p = 0.28) from 2006 to 
15

2010 with a surprisingly small range (197.3 ± 22.1 SE g m-2 in 2006 to 230.3 ± 42.4 SE g m-2

in 

2007) of biomass values (Figure 11). Mean fish diversity (H’) ranged between 1.92 ± 0.12 SE in 

2008 to 2.29 ± 0.09 SE in 2009 with diversity values in between for the other years (Figure 12). 

Diversity also displayed no significant trend (t = 1.22, p = 0.31) from 2006 to 2010.

Endemic Species

Endemic fish species (N = 32, 24% of the total number of fish species) accounted for 12.4% of 

the total density with 232.3 individuals m-2 documented from 2006 to 2010. The most abundant 

endemic species was Thalassoma duperrey (saddle wrasse) followed by Chromis ovalis (oval 

chromis) (Table 1). Abudefduf abdominalis (sergeant major, 1.8 individuals m-2

), Canthigaster 

jactator (Hawaiian whitespotted toby, 1.8 individuals m-2), and Plagiotremus goslinei (scaleeating blenny, 11.6 individuals m-2

) rounded out the endemic species within the top 25 most 

abundant species overall. Density for most of the endemic species remained consistent over time 

with the notable exception of C. ovalis, which declined dramatically from 2006 to 2010. This 

species is short-lived and is known to have dramatic recruitment pulses (A. Friedlander, personal 

communication).

Biomass for endemic species only comprised 7.2% of the total biomass of 32,311 g m-2 observed 

from 2006 to 2010 and was relatively constant over time. These statistics were not surprising 

since endemics are typically smaller bodied fish compared to non-endemics (DeMartini and 

Friedlander 2004). Chlorurus perspicillatus (spectacled parrotfish) had the highest biomass 

values of 740 mt km-2 (4.9%) followed by the rare Apolemichthys arcuatus (bandit angelfish) at 

303 mt km-2 (2.0 %). 

Figure 9. Fish species richness (no.125 m-2) at the 15 fixed sites (solid line) and 15 temporary sites

(dashed lines) surveyed in each year at Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010. Error bars 

are one standard error of the mean. Trend analysis t statistics are displayed.

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Species Richness (no./125 m2)

t = -2.21, p = 0.03
16

Figure 10. Fish density (no. m-2) at the 15 fixed sites (solid line) and 15 temporary sites (dashed line)

surveyed in each year at Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010. Error bars are one 

standard error of the mean. Trend analysis t statistics are displayed.

Figure 11. Fish biomass (g m-2) at the 15 fixed sites (solid line) and 15 temporary sites (dashed line)

surveyed in each year at Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010. Error bars are one 

standard error of the mean. Trend analysis t statistics are displayed.

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Fish Density (no./m2)

t = -1.88, p = 0.14

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Fish Biomass (g/m2)

t = -1.10, p = 0.28
17

Figure 12. Fish diversity (H’) at the 15 fixed sites (solid line) and 15 temporary sites (dashed line) 

surveyed in each year at Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010. Error bars are one 

standard error of the mean. Trend analysis t statistics are displayed.

Invasive Species

Four invasive species (3% of the total number of fish species) accounted for 1.5 % of the total 

density of 232.3 individuals m-2

. The principal invasive species, in terms of density, was 

Lutjanus kasmira (bluestriped snapper) with a total of 2.4 individuals per m2 documented from 

2006 - 2010. This species accounted for 1.2% of total fish density and averaged 0.02 individuals 

per m

2 on the transect. Over the five year period there did not appear to be any discernable trend 

in density for this species with values ranging from 0.1 individuals per m2 in 2008 to 1.1

individuals per m2 in 2009. Variability was high due to the schooling behavior of this species.

Total biomass for all invasive species was over 7.5% of the total biomass of 32,311 g m-2

observed from 2006 to 2010. The two primary invasive species (L. kasmira and Cephalopholis 

argus [bluespotted grouper]) accounted for 7.4% (L. kasmira – 4.7%, C. argus – 2.7%) of the 

total biomass, with small contributions from L. fulvus (0.1%, blacktail snapper) and one recent 

colonizer, Abudefduf vaigiensis (0.06%, Indo-Pacific sergeant). Biomass values fluctuated 

dramatically for the schooling L. kasmira over the years compared to the more solitary C. argus, 

which was observed consistently from year to year. Neither species displayed a trend over the 

study period, but abundance and distribution of invasive species will be closely monitored as 

more data are collected.

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Fish Diversity (H')

t = 1.22, p = 0.31

19

Discussion

Survey results from 2006 to 2010 indicated that transects with the highest fish species richness 

values, density, and biomass were concentrated near the northern tip and along the northeastern 

section of the peninsula coastline (Figures 3, 4, and 5). Fish diversity values, however, were 

fairly evenly distributed throughout the park (Figure 6). In terms of biomass, three transects fell 

well outside the range found at all other transects (Figure 5). Fixed transect 6, located along the 

northwestern coast of the peninsula, had less than half of the biomass found at any other transect, 

while fixed transect 8, located near the northern tip of the peninsula, had more than four times 

the biomass found at any other transect (except for temporary transect 3, located on the western 

coast of the peninsula, which had almost twice the biomass as the remaining transects). Since 

surveys began in 2006, fixed transect 6 has had the lowest biomass of all transects every year.

Several factors such as currents and fishing pressure might influence the spatial distribution of 

the fish assemblage characteristics at Kalaupapa.

Currents, which are the main mode of dispersal for planktonic larvae have not been studied 

extensively around the park. Storlazzi et al. (2011) documented that the predominant surface 

currents adjacent to the settlement were parallel to shore with rising/incoming tidal currents 

flowing to the northern end of the peninsula and falling tidal currents flowing south (Figure 13). 

There did not appear to be a prevailing direction at this location, which would limit larvae 

coming from outside sources. Additional current meters would need to be installed around the 

peninsula to clarify the net direction of current flow, especially during the spawning season.

Lumpkin (1998) reported that, at a regional scale, the principal surface current flow around the 

Hawaiian archipelago was from east to west, which suggests that the peninsula would be a 

convergence zone for currents and ultimately an optimal area for larval recruitment (Figure 14). 

Abundance patterns for adults and larvae of other species such as corals have revealed a rich 

biotic zone in the park and support the hypothesis that the northern section of the peninsula is a 

sink (Brown et al. 2014). Fox et al. (2012), found that on the west coast of Hawai‘i Island fish 

recruitment was negatively correlated with eddy formation. In particular, when strong eddies 

developed that cycled the predominantly east to west currents back towards the coastline, 

recruitment was poor. In comparison, eddy formation around Kalaupapa could develop on the 

western side of the peninsula as easterly currents passed by the northern point of the peninsula. 

At present, however, this pattern has not been documented, although lower fish species richness

and density were found on the western side of the peninsula compared to the eastern side 

(Figures 3 and 4). Fox et al. (2012) also reported that other factors such as the El Niño Southern 

Oscillation, surface temperature, chlorophyll a concentration, sea surface height, and rainfall did 

not show any relationship with fish recruitment. Ultimately, additional methods (e.g., fish larval 

traps, tag and release, fish tracking, etc.) would need to be utilized to clarify whether Kalaupapa 

serves as a source or sink population of fish larvae.
20

Figure 13. Map showing the relative magnitude and direction of near-surface tidal currents, in meters per 

second from true north. Magenta is flood tide and orange is ebb tide. A 0.10 m/s vector length is shown 

for scale. Figure from Storlazzi et al. (2011).

Figure 14. Average direction and strength of surface currents around Hawai‘i. Units: cm/s (25 cm/s = 0.5 

knot). Figure modified from http://oos.soest.hawaii.edu/pacioos/outreach/oceanatlas/currents.php (2015) 

and Lumpkin (1998).

Kalaupapa NHP
21

Overall fishing pressure within the park is light compared to other areas around Hawai‘i due to 

the geographic remoteness and restricted access (Tom 2011). The majority of the fishing activity

tends to be concentrated on the western side of the peninsula adjacent to the settlement. Tom 

(2011) noted, however, that second highest cluster of shoreline segments with fishing pressure 

existed on the northern section of the peninsula. In most cases, fishing pressure consisted of rod 

and reel (64% of fishing effort observed) followed by thrownet (10%), surround net (5%), threeprong (5%), and spear gun (1%). In the northern section, the water was generally too rough for 

in-water fishing techniques such as three-prong spears and spear guns so effort was focused on 

rod and reel (75%) (Tom 2011). This fishing method has been shown to have the lowest catch 

per unit effort (CPUE) for reef fishes in Hawai‘i compared to all other techniques by at least an 

order of magnitude (McCoy et al. personal communication). Consequently, it is not likely that 

this inefficient gear type would have a significant impact on fish assemblages off the northern 

sector of the peninsula, but long-lived species can still be affected if population densities are low 

and recruitment is limited (Heppell et al. 2005).

The spatial distribution of human activities and settlements have been historically variable along 

the north shore of Moloka‘i (McCoy 2005, 2007, Flexner 2010). Most of the initial settlements 

prior to western contact occurred in the major valleys (Hālawa, Wailau, Pelekunu, and Waikolu) 

on the eastern side of the peninsula. Activities of the early Hawaiians were focused on fishing 

and taro farming (McCoy 2007). By the time the Hansen’s disease settlement was established in 

1866 at Kalawao, on the east side of the peninsula, and later moved to Kalaupapa in the early 

1900’s on the western side of the peninsula, human habitation in the eastern valleys, with the 

exception of Hālawa, had largely disappeared (Flexner 2010). This shift in human occupation

and associated activities, coupled with a decline of over 90% in the recorded human population 

on the peninsula over the last 100 plus years (Brown et al. 2011a), suggests that concomitant 

fishing pressure also declined over this time period. These declines would probably have offset 

any advancement in fishing technology over this time period, allowing the near shore fish 

assemblages to recover to the present day levels and/or perhaps limiting the initial impact from 

resource extraction.

In addition to ocean currents and fishing pressure, ecological factors influencing fish 

assemblages include variations in reproductive output from source populations (Claisse et al. 

2009), post-settlement mortality (Hunt and Scheibling 1997), and/or habitat differences (Caselle 

and Warner 1996). Some of these factors such as human populations at regional scales 

(Friedlander et al. in review) are currently being investigated that will help explain the existing 

spatial patterns in fish assemblage structure at Kalaupapa. Habitat factors that could influence the 

fish assemblage structure around Kalaupapa include the spatial extent of shallow water habitat

and complexity of the substrate. For the entire island of Moloka‘i, the spatial extent (161.6 km2

) 

of shallow water habitat (depth <20 m) that is suitable for coral reef development is less than on 

Kaua‘i (10% less), O‘ahu (57%), Maui (2%), and Hawai‘i (17%) (Rohmann et al. 2005). 

Examining habitat maps for only the wave exposed north shore sections of these islands, it is 

evident that the area around Kalaupapa has substantially less coral reef fish habitat available than 

the other islands, and this is restricted to a narrow band adjacent to the shoreline (NOAA –

NCCOS 2007). This restricted range of suitable habitat should theoretically limit fish 

populations compared to other wave exposed north shore sites, as well as areas with extensive 

reef habitat around Hawai‘i.
22

The complexity or rugosity of the substrate at Kalaupapa is different than other wave exposed 

north shore sites around the state. In the park, the substrate consists of large basalt boulders, 

which have numerous spaces for fish to hide (Figure 15a). In contrast, the more typical north 

shore coral reefs of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Maui are relatively flat with encrusting coral 

communities (Jokiel et al. 2004) (Figure 15b). Previous studies (e.g., Friedlander et al. 2007) 

have shown that complexity of the reef habitat explains a large percentage of the variability in 

species richness and biomass; higher complexity has higher fish assemblage metrics, although 

legal protection from fishing pressure also results in higher values for many fish assemblage 

characteristics (Friedlander et al. 2007). Beets et al. (2010), reported that rugosity at Kalaupapa 

was higher than values reported at three other national parks (Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National 

Historic Site, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National 

Historical Park) on Hawai‘i Island. Friedlander et al. (2003) documented an average rugosity 

value of 1.60 at 60 sites around the MHI, which was almost identical to the overall mean 

rugosity index value of 1.62 at Kalaupapa (Brown et al. 2014). Kalaupapa, however, had higher 

rugosity (1.62 versus 1.44) than other north shore reefs exposed to the northwest swells. The 

highest mean rugosity values in the MHI were found in sheltered areas such as Kāne‘ohe Bay on 

O‘ahu (1.81) and along wave protected southern shorelines (1.71) (Friedlander et al. 2003). 

Therefore, even with a limited spatial extent of available habitat, the high complexity of reef 

habitat at Kalaupapa coupled with the low fishing pressure has resulted in a high density and 

biomass of reef fish around the park.

Examining rugosity at a finer spatial scale within the park helps explain some of the spatial 

patterns observed in the fish assemblage (Appendix A). Sites with higher average rugosity, such 

as the transects on the northern tip (mean rugosity 1.74 ± 0.13 SE) and northeastern section 

(mean rugosity 1.81 ± 0.07 SE) of the peninsula, generally had higher species richness, higher

density, and higher biomass than sites in other parts of the park (e.g., northwestern section of the 

peninsula, mean 1.66 ± 0.08 SE) with less complex habitats. These results support previous 

findings that habitat complexity is an important predictor of fish assemblage structure 

(Friedlander et al. 2007), and suggests that certain areas in the park contain better habitats for 

fish assemblages than others and serve to attract fishes to areas such as the northern section of 

the peninsula. The small number of transects within each of these park zones, however, 

precluded a statistical analysis of rugosity as a predictive factor at this point in time. In future 

years as more areas are sampled within the park, then habitat complexity can be reassessed to 

help delineate high quality habitats around the peninsula.

One of the most important metrics to examine from a resource manager’s perspective is total fish 

biomass. In comparison to other locations around the Pacific and Caribbean, total biomass at 

Kalaupapa approached levels seen in more remote and uninhabited island groups such as the 

northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) (Figure 16). These results are encouraging and suggest 

that fishing pressure at Kalaupapa is relatively light. Indeed, Tom (2011) reported that an 

“insignificant harvest effect was due to relatively small fishing effort at Kalaupapa”. KalokoHonokōhau National Historical Park, also in the MHI, had fish biomass levels that were only 

38% of the biomass at Kalaupapa NHP even though the benthic habitat has much higher mean 

coral cover and similar values for rugosity (Beets et al. 2010). It is important to note, however, 

that biomass of the apex predators was still proportionally lower than levels documented in 

remote, uninhabited islands indicating some impact from fishing.
23

In terms of density by species, the planktivore Chromis vanderbilti (blacktail chromis) was by 

far the most abundant species found at Kalaupapa in 2011 (Table 2). The high density of this 

relatively small (up to about 7 cm, Hoover 2008) species also influenced the relative density 

versus biomass of the trophic groups. Secondary consumers (including C. vanderbilti) accounted 

for approximately 67% of the individual fish observed in 2011 (Figure 7), yet made up only 46% 

of the biomass (Figure 8). These results suggest that Kalaupapa has a high abundance of 

plankton stemming from high primary productivity along the shoreline. Primary consumers 

accounted for 49% of the biomass (Figure 8), despite representing only 32% of the individual 

fish observed (Figure 7). This is due, in part, to the Kyphosus spp. (rudderfish), which was the 

third most abundant taxon in the park (Table 2) and attains a relatively large size of to 60 cm 

(Randall 1996).

a.

b.

Figure 15. Typical substrate profile at Kalaupapa NHP (a) and Hanalei Bay, Kaua‘i (b), which are both 

northern, wave-exposed coastlines around the MHI. Photos by Sylvester Lee (a) on September 24, 2014 

and Eric Brown (b) on May 21, 2010.
24

Of particular ecological importance are the apex predators. Worldwide, large apex predators 

have been on the decline with many, including sharks, disappearing at alarming rates (Worm et 

al. 2006). These (typically) large predators are important to the reef because their absence can 

cause dramatic shifts in the species composition and dominant taxa of a reef (Sandin et al. 2008). 

At Kalaupapa in 2011, apex predators accounted for just 1% of individual fish observed (Figure 

7), but constituted 5% of the biomass (Figure 8). One of the top ten species by biomass was also 

an apex predator (Caranx melampygus, bluefin trevally, Table 3). This relatively high apex 

predator biomass for an inhabited island could be partly due to the light fishing pressure at 

Kalaupapa (Tom 2011). It is important to note that the trophic structure at Kalaupapa more 

closely resembles fished reefs rather than unfished reefs where biomass is dominated by apex 

predators and a trophic composition approximates an inverted pyramid (Sandin et al. 2008). 

Consequently, even with light fishing pressure the impacts were readily discernable.

From 2006 to 2010, the trends in the four main fish assemblage characteristics (species richness, 

density, biomass, diversity) indicated that the fish assemblage at Kalaupapa was relatively stable 

over that time period (Figures 9-12). Only species richness showed a slight decline in the last 

few years that was statistically significant. Some notable fish species not observed in 2010, but 

documented in all prior years, included Aulostomus chinensis (trumpetfish), Chaetodon miliaris

(milletseed butterflyfish), Cirrhitus pinnulatus (stocky hawkfish), Cirripectes vanderbilti

(scarface blenny), and Priacanthus meeki (Hawaiian bigeye). Further monitoring in subsequent 

years will help us learn if this decline is ecologically significant and a cause for concern, 

especially for the common species listed above that were not observed in 2010. Of particular 

note for all of the data sets, was the low variance for each of the metrics across time. This pattern 

suggested a relatively homogeneous and stable fish assemblage across space and time.

Several factors likely contributed to this stability in fish assemblage structure. First, is the 

remoteness of the area. There are no roads leading into the settlement and the nearest harbor is 

more than 50 km from the western boundary of the park. Second, is the low level of human 

perturbation that occurs in the settlement. The human population at Kalaupapa has declined 92% 

from a peak of 1,177 in 1900 to 90 in 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau 2013). In addition, the 

population has been relatively stable for the past decade with light fishing and diving pressure 

(Tom 2011). There are also no major industries and no evidence of nutrient enrichment in the 

ocean from human sewage (Kalaupapa unpublished data, presented at 2012 International Coral 

Reef Symposium, Cairns, Australia). Third, is the seasonal refuge afforded by the strong winter 

storms (U.S. Naval Oceanographic 2010, NOAA 2015, Stormsurfing 2015), which restricts

vessel traffic in the park and limits in-water (e.g., spearfishing), and even shoreline fishing 

during this time of year. Ultimately, all of these factors likely limit fishing activity in the park.

Endemic and invasive fish species are both significant components of the fish assemblage at 

Kalaupapa. Values for endemic species, however, were lower than fish assemblage metrics 

documented from elsewhere around the state. Friedlander et al. (2003) reported that endemics 

accounted for 35% (12% in this study) of the density and 22% (7% in this study) of the biomass 

from 60 stations from around the MHI. Their study sampled a wider array of habitats including 

reef areas dominated by endemic coral species such as Porites compressa. This coral species 

appears to be a preferred substrate for many fish recruits, including Ctenochaetus strigosus

(goldring surgeonfish), which is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll (DeMartini 

and Anderson 2007). In comparison, Friedlander et al. (2003) found that invasive species at their 
25

study sites around the MHI accounted for <1% (3% in this study) of the total density and <3% 

(7.5% in this study) of the total biomass. Having similar proportions of endemic and invasive

fish species might be a point of concern, but habitat differences and differing levels of resource 

extraction across the state could explain the observed patterns in the two groups of fishes. 

Indeed, DeMartini and Friedlander (2004) found that endemics comprised 52% of the total 

density and 37% of the total biomass in the NWHI, which has substantially different reef habitats 

than the MHI and no fishing. Invasive species are not an appreciable component of the fish 

assemblages in the NWHI. With only five years of monitoring, it is too early to comment on the 

spatial and temporal patterns of endemics and invasive species, but this is one component of the 

fish assemblage that will be closely monitored in the future. In summary, the proportion of 

endemic and invasive fish species appears to be more similar than other nearshore habitats 

around the MHI, which have more pronounced differences between the two fish groups.

It is anticipated that atmospheric changes in climate will have corresponding impacts on ocean 

temperatures and water chemistry. Sea surface ocean temperatures recorded by the National 

Marine Fisheries Service (1956–1992) and the Integrated Global Ocean Services System–

National Meteorological Center (1992–2014) for Koko Head, Oahu indicate that overall 

temperatures have increased by more than 0.5° C since 1956 (Figure 17, see Jokiel and Brown 

2004). Several brief cooling periods have occurred during the intervening years, but the recent 

spike in temperatures in 2014 and the associated coral bleaching (Rodgers et al. 2015) indicate 

that the warming trend is continuing. Over a longer time period, ocean temperatures are expected 

to continue rising by 1.4 - 2.6 °C due to increased CO2 emissions and the concomitant increase in 

atmospheric temperatures (IPCC 2013). Even though the impact of increasing temperature on 

coral reef fish communities has not been studied as well as temperature impacts on coral reef 

habitat, there are some recent studies that highlight potential issues. For example, Bellwood et al. 

(2012) reported that the cryptobenthic fish assemblage in the central Great Barrier Reef failed to 

recover to pre-bleaching conditions following the 1998 El Niño bleaching event from prolonged 

high temperatures, despite the fact that the coral community recovered fully.

Ocean chemistry is also expected to change with increasing CO2 emissions (IPCC 2013). In 

particular, pH is expected to decrease, resulting in more acidic conditions and negatively 

impacting organisms (e.g., corals, mollusks, sea urchins, etc.) that secrete a calcium carbonate 

skeleton. Hoegh-Guldberg et al. (2007) projected that by 2050, coral reef ecosystems will reach a 

tipping point and corals will be unable to calcify and grow. Kalaupapa began monitoring ocean 

pH semi-annually along with other parameters in 2009 as part of the PACN I&M water quality 

protocol (Jones et al. 2011), but to date, no temporal pattern in pH has emerged (NPS 

unpublished results). Potential concerns with elevated CO2 levels on coral reef fish include direct 

effects on internal calcifying structures such as otoliths (Ateweberhan et al. 2013), changes in 

fish predator-prey behavior (Cripps et al. 2011), changes in fish assemblage structure (e.g., loss 

of biodiversity) associated with declining coral reef habitat (Hixon 2011), and synergistic effects 

of stressors (Ateweberhan et al. 2013). The most widely studied aspect of these climate change 

impacts has focused on the negative effects of habitat decline on the related fish assemblage 

(Graham et al. 2009, Ateweberhan et al. 2013). At present, the short duration of this study has 

not revealed any patterns in the fish assemblage associated with increasing temperatures or 

changes in pH, but due the high wave energy environment and low coral cover at Kalaupapa,

local impacts may have a greater potential impact to the fish and coral communities in the short 

to medium time frame (e.g., Graham et al. 2014).
26

Figure 16. Mean fish biomass (metric tons per hectare: mt ha-2) at various island locations in the Pacific and the Caribbean. Acronyms are as 

follows: NWHI = Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, KALA = Kalaupapa National Historical Park, KAHO = Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

National Historical Park, VIIS = Virgin Islands National Park, WAPA = War in the Pacific National Historical Park. Modified from Friedlander et al., 

(2008) and this study.

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

Biomass (mt/ha)

Apex predators

Other species
27

Figure 17. Combined sea surface temperature (SST) record using National Marine Fisheries Service 

(NMFS) data for Koko Head, Oahu (1956–1992) and corrected Integrated Global Ocean Services 

System–National Meteorological Center (IGOSS–NMC) temperature data (1992 to 2014; Modified from 

Jokiel and Brown 2004).The red line indicates a Lowess function fitted to the data.

Further observations will be needed to determine whether these long-term trends of stability in 

the fish community are real or simply annual fluctuations in fish assemblage characteristics, or 

measurement error associated with the methodology. Data collection and rigorous statistical 

analyses in subsequent reports will help us learn if the observed trends are ecologically

significant and cause for management concern, as long-term change in the fish taxa or 

assemblages may be indicative of variation in certain environmental stressors or drivers. For 

example, a decrease in fish biomass has often been associated with increasing fishing pressure 

(Friedlander and DeMartini 2002) or a reduction in fish species richness corresponding to a 

degraded habitat such as high turbidity levels (Bejarano and Appeldoorn 2013). Co-location of 

this marine fish monitoring protocol with the benthic community monitoring protocol and the 

water quality monitoring protocol will allow us to determine if any such associations exist at 

Kalaupapa.

In conclusion, the fish assemblage around Kalaupapa appears to be healthy compared to the rest 

of the MHI and continued monitoring is needed to see if local, regional, and global factors are 

affecting these assemblages.

55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 10

20

22

24

26

28

30

Temperature (°C)

29

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35

Appendix A. Metadata for Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006-2010.

Appendix A. Metadata for Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2006.

Survey Date Transect Transect Type Latitude Longitude Bearing Depth (m) Rugosity

8/2/2006 1 Fixed 21.18705 -157.01559 90 17.8 1.41

8/2/2006 2 Fixed 21.18609 -157.01321 120 12.8 1.45

8/10/2006 3 Fixed 21.19380 -156.98687 0 14.2 1.72

8/2/2006 4 Fixed 21.19911 -156.98765 30 18.4 1.42

8/8/2006 5 Fixed 21.20736 -156.98396 90 11.5 1.43

7/24/2006 6 Fixed 21.20795 -156.98288 30 12.7 1.30

8/10/2006 7 Fixed 21.21069 -156.98184 60 20.7 2.00

7/24/2006 8 Fixed 21.21538 -156.96892 90 14.8 1.94

7/25/2006 9 Fixed 21.21411 -156.96586 120 14.8 1.65

8/1/2006 10 Fixed 21.19950 -156.95477 150 15.6 1.49

8/9/2006 11 Fixed 21.19179 -156.94896 150 15.2 1.62

8/9/2006 12 Fixed 21.18918 -156.94775 180 16.8 1.70

8/8/2006 13 Fixed 21.18428 -156.94775 150 12.8 1.42

8/15/2006 14 Fixed 21.17179 -156.92124 210 13.8 1.44

8/15/2006 15 Fixed 21.17183 -156.91610 270 13.6 1.49

8/8/2006 1 Temporary 21.19024 -156.98621 0 12.5 1.80

7/24/2006 2 Temporary 21.19825 -156.98783 30 19.1 1.68

7/25/2006 3 Temporary 21.21557 -156.97370 40 18.1 2.13

7/27/2006 4 Temporary 21.20847 -156.95935 140 14.0 1.85

7/27/2006 5 Temporary 21.20602 -156.95699 160 19.2 1.70

8/1/2006 6 Temporary 21.20322 -156.95565 180 18.8 1.58

8/1/2006 7 Temporary 21.20057 -156.95546 160 13.8 1.50

8/1/2006 8 Temporary 21.19571 -156.95186 150 13.3 1.56

8/1/2006 9 Temporary 21.19466 -156.95069 160 17.8 1.66

8/8/2006 10 Temporary 21.18903 -156.94818 180 11.4 1.65

8/8/2006 11 Temporary 21.18648 -156.94680 180 17.8 1.60

8/9/2006 12 Temporary 21.17617 -156.94366 15 13.4 1.12

8/16/2006 13 Temporary 21.17405 -156.93648 90 12.2 1.44

8/16/2006 14 Temporary 21.17180 -156.92561 270 12.8 1.34

8/16/2006 15 Temporary 21.17320 -156.92486 90 17.0 1.49
36

Appendix A. Metadata for Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2007 (continued).

Survey Date Transect Transect Type Latitude Longitude Bearing Depth (m) Rugosity

8/9/2007 1 Fixed 21.18705 -157.01559 90 17.8 1.49

8/9/2007 2 Fixed 21.18609 -157.01321 120 12.8 1.39

8/9/2007 3 Fixed 21.19380 -156.98687 0 14.2 1.65

8/7/2007 4 Fixed 21.19911 -156.98765 30 18.4 1.43

8/7/2007 5 Fixed 21.20736 -156.98396 90 11.5 1.44

8/2/2007 6 Fixed 21.20795 -156.98288 30 12.7 1.25

8/8/2007 7 Fixed 21.21069 -156.98184 60 20.7 2.16

7/19/2007 8 Fixed 21.21538 -156.96892 90 14.8 1.88

7/19/2007 9 Fixed 21.21411 -156.96586 120 14.8 1.62

7/31/2007 10 Fixed 21.19950 -156.95477 150 15.6 1.49

8/1/2007 11 Fixed 21.19179 -156.94896 150 15.2 1.61

8/1/2007 12 Fixed 21.18918 -156.94775 180 16.8 1.75

8/1/2007 13 Fixed 21.18428 -156.94775 150 12.8 1.42

8/7/2007 14 Fixed 21.17179 -156.92124 210 13.8 1.43

8/7/2007 15 Fixed 21.17183 -156.91610 270 13.6 1.56

8/9/2007 1 Temporary 21.18673 -157.01744 0 17.1 1.39

8/8/2007 2 Temporary 21.18615 -157.01336 30 14.7 1.43

8/7/2007 3 Temporary 21.19925 -156.98676 40 12.9 1.68

8/2/2007 4 Temporary 21.20917 -156.98192 140 12.6 1.87

8/2/2007 5 Temporary 21.21090 -156.98083 160 20.0 1.81

7/19/2007 6 Temporary 21.21404 -156.97612 180 11.2 1.20

8/2/2007 7 Temporary 21.21501 -156.97608 160 17.7 1.93

7/31/2007 8 Temporary 21.20906 -156.95940 150 15.9 1.76

7/19/2007 9 Temporary 21.20869 -156.95939 160 16.2 1.86

7/31/2007 10 Temporary 21.20696 -156.95723 180 17.7 1.91

7/31/2007 11 Temporary 21.20659 -156.95720 180 15.0 1.91

8/1/2007 12 Temporary 21.18767 -156.94690 160 18.8 1.43

8/1/2007 13 Temporary 21.17508 -156.94350 90 11.7 1.62

8/7/2007 14 Temporary 21.17117 -156.92049 270 12.4 1.35

8/2/2007 15 Temporary 21.16790 -156.91311 90 11.4 1.69
37

Appendix A. Metadata for Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2008 (continued).

Survey Date Transect Transect Type Latitude Longitude Bearing Depth (m) Rugosity

7/21/2008 1 Fixed 21.18705 -157.01559 90 17.5 1.46

7/22/2008 2 Fixed 21.18609 -157.01321 120 12.9 1.43

8/27/2008 3 Fixed 21.19380 -156.98687 0 14.2 1.63

7/22/2008 4 Fixed 21.19911 -156.98765 30 18.5 1.43

7/23/2008 5 Fixed 21.20736 -156.98396 90 11.2 1.52

7/22/2008 6 Fixed 21.20795 -156.98288 30 12.7 1.27

7/23/2008 7 Fixed 21.21069 -156.98184 60 20.9 2.20

8/19/2008 8 Fixed 21.21538 -156.96892 90 15.0 2.04

8/19/2008 9 Fixed 21.21411 -156.96586 120 15.9 1.69

8/27/2008 10 Fixed 21.19950 -156.95477 150 16.3 1.51

8/26/2008 11 Fixed 21.19179 -156.94896 150 15.3 1.68

8/26/2008 12 Fixed 21.18918 -156.94775 180 17.3 1.64

8/26/2008 13 Fixed 21.18428 -156.94775 150 13.6 1.47

8/20/2008 14 Fixed 21.17179 -156.92124 210 14.3 1.45

8/20/2008 15 Fixed 21.17183 -156.91610 270 13.7 1.57

7/21/2008 1 Temporary 21.18759 -157.02499 90 18.1 1.63

7/21/2008 2 Temporary 21.18664 -157.01713 260 17.1 1.65

7/22/2008 3 Temporary 21.18690 -157.01365 90 16.6 1.44

7/22/2008 4 Temporary 21.20520 -156.98588 220 12.8 1.40

7/23/2008 5 Temporary 21.21017 -156.98165 200 11.5 1.47

8/25/2008 6 Temporary 21.21496 -156.97549 60 18.5 2.07

8/25/2008 7 Temporary 21.21478 -156.97348 60 13.0 1.17

8/20/2008 8 Temporary 21.21058 -156.96156 150 16.7 2.14

8/19/2008 9 Temporary 21.20685 -156.95679 150 21.4 1.98

8/27/2008 10 Temporary 21.20022 -156.95482 150 19.0 1.43

8/26/2008 11 Temporary 21.19597 -156.95210 120 14.6 1.60

8/26/2008 12 Temporary 21.19388 -156.95098 150 12.5 1.95

8/25/2008 13 Temporary 21.18260 -156.94673 320 16.2 1.79

8/25/2008 14 Temporary 21.17515 -156.92959 40 16.1 1.36

8/25/2008 15 Temporary 21.17324 -156.92198 300 16.3 1.43
38

Appendix A. Metadata for Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2009 (continued).

Survey Date Transect Transect Type Latitude Longitude Bearing Depth (m) Rugosity

7/13/2009 1 Fixed 21.18705 -157.01559 90 17.6 1.57

7/13/2009 2 Fixed 21.18609 -157.01321 120 12.6 1.50

8/3/2009 3 Fixed 21.19380 -156.98687 0 14.1 1.64

7/17/2009 4 Fixed 21.19911 -156.98765 30 19.1 1.60

7/13/2009 5 Fixed 21.20736 -156.98396 90 11.4 1.51

8/5/2009 6 Fixed 21.20795 -156.98288 30 13.3 1.28

7/17/2009 7 Fixed 21.21069 -156.98184 60 21.2 2.19

7/15/2009 8 Fixed 21.21538 -156.96892 90 15.4 2.04

7/15/2009 9 Fixed 21.21411 -156.96586 120 15.8 1.62

7/16/2009 10 Fixed 21.19950 -156.95477 150 15.8 1.55

8/5/2009 11 Fixed 21.19179 -156.94896 150 14.7 1.90

7/16/2009 12 Fixed 21.18918 -156.94775 180 17.4 1.66

7/16/2009 13 Fixed 21.18428 -156.94775 150 13.2 1.52

8/5/2009 14 Fixed 21.17179 -156.92124 210 14.0 1.45

7/14/2009 15 Fixed 21.17183 -156.91610 270 13.6 1.64

7/13/2009 1 Temporary 21.18452 -157.00722 90 18.0 1.73

7/13/2009 2 Temporary 21.18330 -157.00689 120 12.2 1.79

8/3/2009 3 Temporary 21.18318 -157.00675 90 12.0 1.67

8/3/2009 4 Temporary 21.18296 -157.00387 90 20.2 1.44

7/17/2009 5 Temporary 21.19607 -156.98773 150 18.1 1.78

7/17/2009 6 Temporary 21.20331 -156.98645 210 15.0 1.94

8/5/2009 7 Temporary 21.21074 -156.98166 60 21.4 2.20

7/15/2009 8 Temporary 21.21452 -156.96810 320 12.9 1.18

8/5/2009 9 Temporary 21.20860 -156.95938 150 12.8 1.90

7/16/2009 10 Temporary 21.20352 -156.95656 150 13.1 1.49

7/16/2009 11 Temporary 21.18828 -156.94799 330 13.2 1.51

7/14/2009 12 Temporary 21.18254 -156.94736 330 11.6 1.37

7/14/2009 13 Temporary 21.17319 -156.92735 240 19.3 1.37

7/14/2009 14 Temporary 21.17187 -156.92183 330 11.6 1.44

7/14/2009 15 Temporary 21.17174 -156.91786 260 20.5 1.80
39

Appendix A. Metadata for Kalaupapa National Historical Park from 2010 (continued).

Survey Date Transect Transect Type Latitude Longitude Bearing Depth (m) Rugosity

8/2/2010 1 Fixed 21.18705 -157.01559 90 17.6 No Rug

8/3/2010 2 Fixed 21.18609 -157.01321 120 12.6 No Rug

8/12/2010 3 Fixed 21.19380 -156.98687 0 14.1 No Rug

8/4/2010 4 Fixed 21.19911 -156.98765 30 19.1 No Rug

8/4/2010 5 Fixed 21.20736 -156.98396 90 11.4 No Rug

8/3/2010 6 Fixed 21.20795 -156.98288 30 13.3 No Rug

8/4/2010 7 Fixed 21.21069 -156.98184 60 21.2 No Rug

8/11/2010 8 Fixed 21.21538 -156.96892 90 15.4 No Rug

8/12/2010 9 Fixed 21.21411 -156.96586 120 15.8 No Rug

8/11/2010 10 Fixed 21.19950 -156.95477 150 15.8 No Rug

8/10/2010 11 Fixed 21.19179 -156.94896 150 14.7 No Rug

8/11/2010 12 Fixed 21.18918 -156.94775 180 17.4 No Rug

8/5/2010 13 Fixed 21.18428 -156.94775 150 13.2 No Rug

8/10/2010 14 Fixed 21.17179 -156.92124 210 14.0 No Rug

8/5/2010 15 Fixed 21.17183 -156.91610 270 13.6 No Rug

8/3/2010 1 Temporary 21.18711 -157.02438 270 18.0 1.63

8/2/2010 2 Temporary 21.18733 -157.01358 60 12.2 1.52

8/2/2010 3 Temporary 21.18555 -157.01149 90 12.0 1.61

8/2/2010 4 Temporary 21.18282 -157.00368 120 20.2 1.41

8/10/2010 5 Temporary 21.20470 -156.98681 20 18.1 1.25

8/4/2010 6 Temporary 21.20609 -156.98695 180 15.0 1.34

8/4/2010 7 Temporary 21.20834 -156.98260 30 21.4 1.44

8/5/2010 8 Temporary 21.21439 -156.96568 270 12.9 1.78

8/11/2010 9 Temporary 21.20806 -156.95915 330 12.8 2.15

8/11/2010 10 Temporary 21.20101 -156.95536 170 13.1 1.57

8/11/2010 11 Temporary 21.19674 -156.95306 310 13.2 2.03

8/10/2010 12 Temporary 21.19685 -156.95282 150 11.6 2.10

8/5/2010 13 Temporary 21.18307 -156.94686 150 19.3 1.70

8/10/2010 14 Temporary 21.17921 -156.94587 150 11.6 1.31

8/5/2010 15 Temporary 21.17286 -156.92180 300 20.5 1.46

41

Appendix B: Database Queries Used to Generate Reports

Status Maps

Data Excel File Database Query

Fish species richness Fish_Summary_Status_Maps qs_j043_Fish_Summary_totals_per_transect

Fish density Fish_Summary_Status_Maps qs_j043_Fish_Summary_totals_per_transect

Fish biomass Fish_Summary_Status_Maps qs_j043_Fish_Summary_totals_per_transect

Fish diversity Fish_Summary_Status_Maps qs_j043_Fish_Summary_totals_per_transect

Trophic Composition Graphs

Data Excel File Database Query

Trophic composition by density Fish_Trophic_Chart qs_j153_Fish_Consumer_Abundance_per_park_xtab

Trophic composition by biomass Fish_Trophic_Chart qs_j173_Fish_Consumer_Biomass_per_park_xtab

Trend Line Graphs

Data Excel File Database Query

Fish species richness Fish_SpRichness_Trends qs_j253_Fish_Trend_Stat_Setup

Fish density Fish_Density_Trends qs_j253_Fish_Trend_Stat_Setup

Fish biomass Fish_Biomass_Trends qs_j253_Fish_Trend_Stat_Setup

Fish diversity Fish_Diversity_Trends qs_j253_Fish_Trend_Stat_Setup

Tables

Data Excel File Database Query

Metadata KALA_Metadata qs_x015_Metadata_by_transect

Fish top ten species by density Fish_Top_Ten_Density qs_j093_Fish_Top_25_Density_per_park

Fish top ten species by biomass Fish_Top_Ten_Biomass qs_j113_Fish_Top_25_Biomass_per_park

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific 

and other information about those resources; and honors its special responsibilities to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and 

affiliated Island Communities.

NPS 491/129694, September 2015
National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 150

Fort Collins, CO 80525

www.nature.nps.gov

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