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Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park to Sea-Level Rise

Open-File Report 2005-1248
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051248

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Abstract

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park in Hawaii. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline change rates, mean tidal range and mean significant wave height. The rankings for each input variable were combined, and an index value calculated for 500-meter grid cells covering the park. The CVI highlights those regions where the physical effects of sea-level rise might be the greatest. This approach combines the coastal system's susceptibility to change with its natural ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, yielding a quantitative, although relative, measure of the park's natural vulnerability to the effects of sea-level rise. The CVI provides an objective technique for evaluation and long-term planning by scientists and park managers. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park consists of carbonate sand beaches, coral rubble, rocky shoreline, and mangrove wetland areas. The areas within Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park that are likely to be most vulnerable to sea-level rise based on this analysis are areas of unconsolidated sediment and highest wave energy.

Suggested Citation

Pendleton, E., Thieler, E.R., Williams, S.J., 2006, Coastal vulnerability assessment of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park to sea-level rise: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1248, 25 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051248.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

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Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Data Ranking
  • The Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
  • Methodology
  • Geologic Variables
  • Physical Process Variables
  • Calculating the Vulnerability Index
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • References
  • Figures
  • Tables
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Coastal vulnerability assessment of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park to sea-level rise
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2005-1248
DOI 10.3133/ofr20051248
Year Published 2006
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 25 p.
Country United States
State Hawaii
Other Geospatial Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details