A new system will help forecast the effects of sea level rise and waves in West Maui.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System has received a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop the model.
West Maui is noticeably feeling the effects of sea level rise in the forms of coastal erosion and flooding.
The new system will collect data from several gauges and meters in locations along the coastline.
The data will then be used to model and then forecast conditions and effects in a dozen areas in West Maui.
This will help West Maui residents and officials project what parts of the region will be affected both in the short- and long-terms.
Tara Owens is a Coastal Geologist working with UH’s Sea Grant Program.
The project is expected to begin in October of this year.
All forecasts will be available online at http://pacioos.org.
