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Free of visitors, scientists study coral, water quality, fish behavior at Hanauma Bay

By Star-Advertiser staff

May 30, 2020

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Video by Craig T. Kojima and courtesy Sarah Severino
University of Hawaii researchers are studying whether human activity has an impact on Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve's fish and reef. The popular tourist attraction has been closed to the public since March 16 due to lockdowns arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
2/20
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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Researcher Kuulei Rodgers, principal investigator at the Coral Reef Ecology Lab of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Institute for Marine Biology, and her team have been conducting research at Hanauma Bay. The bay has been closed to the public since March 26 and the only people entering the preserve, besides regular maintenance and security staff with the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, have been teams of five or fewer scientists at a time, studying the status of coral, water quality and fish behavior during this unprecedented, visitor-free time.
3/20
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Intern Matt Stefanak, left, and technician Andrew Graham carry a calibration cube for photographs into water.
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Fish are feeding about 30 feet offshore at Hanauma Bay.
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Hanauma Bay as seen on Thursday.
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The branches of a toppled heliotrope tree frames Hanauma Bay.
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Technician Andrew Graham, left, and intern Matt Stefanak carry a calibration cube for photographs into water.
8/20
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The Toilet Bowl area on the left side of the bay has been blocked off.
9/20
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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

George Balazs watches for honu (turtles) up on the cliff.
10/20
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Aerial shot of Hanauma Bay.
11/20
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Koko Crater is seen in the background at Hanauma Bay.
12/20
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Shells take space on the rocky shore at Hanauma Bay.
13/20
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The Witches Brew area of Hanauma Bay.
14/20
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Courtesy Sarah Severino

Aerial shot of Hanauma Bay.
15/20
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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Technician Andrew Graham, left, and intern Matt Stefanak carry a calibration cube for photographs into water.
16/20
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Courtesy Sarah Severino

Aerial shot of Hanauma Bay.
17/20
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Courtesy Sarah Severino

Aerial shot of Hanauma Bay.
18/20
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Courtesy Sarah Severino

Aerial shot of Hanauma Bay.
19/20
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Courtesy Sarah Severino

Aerial shot of Hanauma Bay.
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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Hanauma Bay as seen on Thursday without any visitors.
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