Previous Research
Maunakea Summit Arthropod Habitat Suitability
SDAV used a suite of remote sensing technologies along with
species occurrence data to identify areas of increased habitat
suitability for an number of arthropod species present on the
Maunakea summit, including the wēkiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola), a
former species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. This
new habitat knowledge is helping to guide conservation
management and future habitat restoration efforts.
Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Labs
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Post Iselle Albizia Mapping
Albizia are invasive, fast-growing, trees that can reach 100 feet tall
with long, brittle limbs which make them extremely dangerous
during severe weather. In August 2014, Tropical Cyclone Iselle left
blocked roads, damaged infrastructure and homes without power.
SDAV lab collected high-resolution imagery from UAVs to determine
damages from the storm, assess future risks, and provide
mitigation assessments.
Maunakea Summit Erosion
Maunakea is a dormant shield volcano that reaches 4,205 meters
on the island of Hawai’I that is undergoing both natural and
anthropogenic erosion. SDAV created a baseline high-resolution
topographic dataset of the summit area and is using repeat
terrestrial LiDAR and UAV imagery to quantify and monitor erosion
rates to better aid mangement practices.
Vegetation Survey of Waipi’o Valley Overlook
SDAV partnered with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani to conduct UAS flights to
map their parcel of land at the Waipi’o Valley Overlook to provide a
unique visual story telling of the transformation of this ʻāina of
Koaʻekea into a cultural kīpuka and community space. As
Koaʻekea in one aspect refers to the white Koaʻe bird, the
indigenous white-tailed tropic bird (Phaethon lepturus dorotheae),
these aerial views give the birds eye perspective of the change that
will have occurred throughout Pōhāhā I Ka Lani's stewardship of
Koaʻekea.
Pahoa Lava Mapping
On June 27th, 2014 lava started to flow from Pu’u O’o, a vent in the
eastern rift zone of Kīlauea, that traveled toward the town of
Pāhoa. SDAV assisted local emergency organizations, Hawaii
County Civil Defense and USGS, by providing up-to-date 3D
imagery from UAS and calculated paths of steepest decent to
determine where lava might go.
To see the 3D model made from UAS Imagery click the photo to
the left!
Wai`opae Coral Health
The Wai'ōpae Tidepools hosts a diverse ecosystem that support
rich coral growth and an abundance of juvenile fish that is
vulnerable to land based pollution, climate change, and resource
exploitation. SDAV is assisting Dr. Takabayashi and Dr. Burns’ long
term coral health monitoring project by using high-resolution
imagery from to assess coral health.