A geographer at the who specializes in high-tech aerial imagery will survey five coastal parks across the state to assist with climate change adaptation planning and resilience modeling.
Ryan Perroy, a 51²è¹Ý Hilo professor, and Seth Quintus, associate professor of at 51²è¹Ý Mānoa, are co-principal investigators on the project. The researchers received a $1.15 million grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to .
“Sea level rise, storm frequency, flooding and erosion are the main threats of concern to cultural resources,” said Perroy.
The 51²è¹Ý researchers will partner with the NPS to build on prior documentation and research by piloting high-resolution digital documentation to identify cultural resources in: Haleakal¨¡ National Park on Maui; Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Molokaʻi; and Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Puʻukoholā National Historical Park, and Puʻukoholā Heiau on 51²è¹Ý Island.
Efficient data collection
The researchers will use remote sensing to survey expansive land areas more accurately and efficiently than ever before. They will collect data located in near shore areas and adjacent to flood prone stream corridors using high resolution digital technologies such as helicopter and drone-mounted imaging.
“Data will be used for the development of condition assessment and monitoring protocols by the University of 51²è¹Ý at Mānoa Department of Anthropology,” explained Perroy.
Perroy¡¯s expertise is in remote sensing, high-resolution mapping, geospatial data analysis and aerial robotics. He oversees a spatial data analysis and visualization lab, housed in 51²è¹Ý Hilo¡¯s geography and environmental science department, which utilizes geospatial tools to local environmental problems in 51²è¹Ý and the Pacific region.
Hands-on training
The project will provide funding and training for students, two from 51²è¹Ý Hilo and two from 51²è¹Ý Mānoa. The students will gain experience in advanced remote sensing techniques and gain skills in the collection, post-processing, and analysis of remotely sensed data.
—By Susan Enright