VolumeXXXVIII, Number 3
Aloha and Welcometo theMarch issueof Seawords!
Thespring semester has been flying by! Our writers have been busy bringing you thebest and latest stories on all things ocean! First, Seawordswriter and MOP student, Alex Robinson interviews Dr. Celia Smith on thelateand great Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott, the"First Lady of Limu" (page4).
Wealso cover studies exploring Beaked WhaleCircovirus (page10), phytoplankton plasticty (page18), and Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (page14). On page26, immerse yourself in thehistoric tsunami that devastated Hilo in 1946 through and interview with Byron Yoshina who recounts his first-hand experiences from thetragedy.
This month wewould liketo welcomeDora Figueroa to the Seawordswriting team! Enjoy her articlecovering our Creature of theMonth, thegiant clam, on page22.
What would you liketo seemoreof in Seawords?Send in your thoughts, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @mopseawords!
AbbieJeremiah, Seawords EditorInterview with Byron Yoshina 32: MOP Calendar Photo
Credits
Front Page: Giant Clam. Photo by: Elias Levy; Flickr.
Tableof Contents: Hual?lai Honu. Photo by: AbbieJeremiah, Seawords Editor.
Back Cover: Octopus. Photo by: Ka?alohilohi; Flickr.
Dr. Celia Smith on the "First Lady of Limu"
By: Alexandrya Robinson, UHM MOP Student2022 was designated ?The Year of Limu,?by Governor David Ige, but what is limu and why was this proclamation so important? Limu is a broad term used to describeedibleplants in both freshwater and seawater. Native Hawaiians, or k?naka maoli in ??lelo Hawai?i, uselimu not just as food supplement alongsidefish and poi but also in ceremonial practices, medicine, and even to inform k?puna of thehealth of theahupua?a.
Theimportanceof limu dates back to thefirst governing system in Hawai?i. Thekapu system, amongst other things, dictated what foods could beeaten, how they were prepared and gathered, and who could consumethem. Foods were important links to thegods and used in ceremonial practices. Limu also served as an important substitution in thecases wherecertain foods could not beconsumed. Women were
theprimary ones to hold the knowledgeof limu and its harvesting around theislands.
Therearemany species of limu that weresignificant for k?naka maoli. For example, limu kala was used for cleansing and ho?oponopono (a cultural practicefor resolving conflict). Other species likelimu kohu and limu palahalaha were important food staples. This knowledgeof limu and its uses was not always as readily availableas it is today through a simpleGoogle search. Much of thecurrent dissemination of knowledgeis attributed to thework of Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott, often referred to as the?First Lady of Limu.?
Dr. Celia Smith, professor of BOT 480 - Algal Diversity and Evolution, was oneof thosetouched by Dr. Abbott?s work. Dr. Smith testified along with thousands of
others beforetheUniversity of Hawai?i Board of Regents this January in an effort to renamethe LifeSciences Building in Dr. Abbott?s honor for her work in ethnobotany. Dr. Smith had a rough estimateof thenumber of students Dr. Abbott would havetaught during her work at theuniversity. ?Shetaught in theethnobotany and that led to 10 years of people? standing room only, listening to her stories about how her family from Maui used thenativeplants and their family traditions from her Hawaiian cultureto enlightened a generation of students? Shetaught maybe 1,500 students in a 10-year period.?
Dr. Abbott was not only a teacher in theclassroom but an author of eight books and over one hundred research papers whereshe classified morethan 200 different algaespecies. Dr. Abbott even had her own nichegenus of red algae, Abbottella. ?Dr. Abbott's interests werein describing new species becausetaxonomy and systematics wereher focus,?said Dr. Smith. When Dr. Abbott returned to the University of Hawai?i after a successful career in marinebotany at Stanford?s Hopkins Marine Station, ?therewas no position for her to comeback to in theday, but wedid havean endowed chair and
so shecameback as theendowed professor, holding oneof, at that time, four endowed chairs at the University [of Hawai?i].?
Dr. Abbott was a pioneer in her field becoming thefirst k?naka woman to earn a doctoratein a sciencefield, thefirst femalefull professor and minority professor at Stanford, and sheshaped the ethnobotany degreepathway at the University of Hawai?i. Dueto her many accomplishments and dedication to marinebotany Dr. Abbott was given theGilbert Morgan Smith medal by the National Academy of Sciences, a highly coveted award that is the highest honor in thefield of marine botany. However, that wasn?t Dr. Abbott?s only award for her work. Dr. Abbott also received the Darbaker Prizefrom theBotanical Society of America, theCharles Reed Bishop Medal, and shewas named a Living Treasureby Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai?i.
Someof Dr. Abbott?s papers can beaccessed through theThomas HaleHamilton Library websiteand community organizations such as Limu Hui Network that are continuing the2022 Year of the Limu energy into 2023. Continuing thefocus on theintersection between scienceand cultureis
important for well-rounded research that benefits symbiotically.
Without intersectionality science fails to flourish, Dr. Smith recounts of a chemist who took only a part of his own knowledgebaseby taking someof thelimu kohu, ?[He] couldn?t believethat anyonewould eat it becauseit?s so toxic? heapparently went out and found someon thereef and just, you know, snatched it up and took a bite. I don?t know how much but it was enough for him to not feel well, checked himself into a hospital.?What was missing?The processing after collection, doneby k?naka. ?Hawaiians process theplant when they eat it. They first collect it, and then clean it under fresh water so that thereis no rubbleor stones that might besomehow anchored to it, and then they roll it up into little balls that you can find in fish stores now.?
During theprocessing of limu kohu using traditional methods, the halogenated compounds that limu kohu creates as a defenseare degraded making it safefor consumption. Thebook, ?Limu: An Ethnobotanical Study of Some Hawaiian Seaweeds,?by Dr. Abbott details this process of preparation of limu kohu as does thebook ?The Limu Eater?by Heather J. Fortner.
It was thelack of understanding the integral cultural practices that this scientist missed, not oncebut twice according to Dr. Smith. This story may behumorous but cautionary and illustrates theimportanceof applying cultural knowledgein a holistic way. Learning from thosebeforeus is crucial for further scientific development. Dr. Abbott was well loved, respected, and decorated as a scientist for her foundational work in marinebotany and ethnobotany. Her passing in 2010 was not theend of her legacy, which will continueto be honored with thededication of the Isabella Aiona Abbott LifeSciences Building. Continuing Dr. Abbott?s commitment to Hawai?i and the marinespecies that livehereis to continueto learn about what sheheld dear. Dr. Smith describes perfectly what this means, ?To beableto live here[Hawai?i] I think is a gift outright. And to not want to honor it and add to thestrengths of the traditions that areherein any possiblesmall littleway that you can add to them I think is a real lost opportunity. Theopportunities that wehaveto moveour community to a better placeby paying attention to theintersection between scienceand engagement with our local community, to meit's just so important that wedo that here.?
Beaked Whale Circovirus
By: ChloeMolou, UHHSeawordsLiasonThe first marine mammal circovirus has been identified in a study conducted by the University of Hawai?i Health and Stranding Lab, as published in Frontiersin Marine Sciencein January of this year. Beaked whale circovirus (BWCV) had only been found in one marine mammal prior, a stranded Longman?s beaked whale (Indopacetuspacificus) on Maui in 2010.
This novel circovirus poses a potentially fatal threat to whales and dolphins, especially in the Pacific region, as has been revealed in the recent study. Circoviruses are DNA viruses that infect and can potentially be fatal to dogs, birds, pigs, and cetaceans.
analyzed samples of 30 cetaceans for the study, including 8 whale species and several dolphin species, that were stranded in the Pacific basin between 2000 and 2020. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were used to test for the presence of BWCVin archived brain, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, and lymph node tissues.
The research team
Half of all the stranded cetaceans sampled tested positive for BWCV, with the highest number of positive samples coming from animals in Hawai?i. The virus was also found to be present in stranded Cuvier?s beaked whales (Ziphiuscavirostris) in Saipan and American S?moa, some 4,000 miles away from where the virus was first
discovered. There are currently 11
cetacean species known to be
carriers of BWCV.
While results have shown that the virus has spread to the greater Pacific region and has been present there for at least the last 22 years, the direct impacts of the virus and its host are still not fully understood. BWCVwas not identified as the cause of death for any of the strandings, and when it was found, it was in addition to many other pathogens.
Studies like this provide valuable insight into marine viruses and their potential impacts, however, they are not possible without public reporting of distressed wildlife. The public is advised to report any sightings of distressed, injured, or dead marine mammals to the NOAA hotline at 1-888-256-9840.
Humpback Whale with MauiMountain Backdrop.Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement:
The negative effects of anthropogenic climate change takes its toll on our oceans as unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide are being dissolved into seawater. One result of increased carbon dioxide in the ocean is acidification.
Ocean acidification makes maintaining and producing calcium carbonate structures for calcifying organisms incredibly difficult. Minerals needed by calcifying organisms to build their shells and skeletons are dissolved by acidic waters.The ocean's overall pH decreases as excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is dissolved. The average pH of seawater is 8.1.Before the Industrial Revolution,it was 8.2.While a 0.1change may not seem significant,pH is logarithmic. That seemingly small 0.1 change describes a nearly 30 percent increase in acidity.
This change is worrying as it threatens the livelihood of corals,the backbone of reef systems.A quarter of the ocean?s fish populations depend on healthy reefs.
In an effort to mitigate the harm that ocean acidification creates,scientists at the NGO Ocean Visions are researching ocean alkalinity enhancement. Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE),also called enhanced weathering,aims to modify seawater chemistry by dispersing finely ground alkaline minerals such as lime or olivine into seawater or coastal lands.As these silicates and carbonate minerals dissolve,alkalinity increases,allowing more carbon to be dissolved into seawater while decreasing ocean acidification.OAE materials could be derived from industrial processes, mined,pulverized,and then spread on beaches or added
directly into seawater through pipelines or ships.While OAE has the potential to reduce ocean acidification and promote growth for calcifying organisms,there are several negative factors to consider.
In order to obtain the materials needed for OAE, mass infrastructure,including mining sites,is needed.The hazards of terrestrial mining include exposure to pollution, harm to local biodiversity,poor air and water quality,and potential harm to miners.The mined minerals themselves may contain impurities such as metallic elements or other unwanted minerals.The result of such substances being released into the environment is detrimental.CO2 emissions from mining,transportation, and dispersion of OAE materials contribute to emissions and pose a counterintuitive question.
Ocean alkalinity
enhancement may prove useful in the mitigation of ocean acidification.However, the ocean is,simply put,huge. At the moment,OAE is proposed for vulnerable areas subject to biodiversity loss and coral bleaching,such as parts of the Great Barrier Reef.OAE is a relatively new concept and
requires further research. Currently,OAE is not a viable option to reduce ocean acidification.However,with further research and an emphasis on sustainability, ocean alkalinity enhancement may become a tool to mitigate ocean acidification.
Marine Algae Adapt to Climate Change
By: Sarah McGhee UHM MOP Student Mixed Phytoplankton Community.Marine algae can be found in all parts of the ocean across the globe. They are a vital part of the food chain and are some of the most diverse groups of organisms in the sea. It is no secret that climate change has affected ocean life, and marine algae are no exception.
Phytoplankton is one of the most common and important examples of marine algae. These small, photosynthetic protists provide about half of the oxygen we breathe. They are also responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide as part of their photosynthetic process, which plays a large role in the removal of carbon from the atmosphere.
At the base of the food chain, phytoplankton are primary producers, providing a food source for larger species of plankton as well as small fish. If they were to be bothered by climate change, like most species are, the effects would be
felt all the way up to the top consumers, humans, who rely on fish as a staple of some diets. So how are they coping?
Phytoplankton live in the photic zone which is, unsurprisingly, more impacted by climate change than deeper waters. As the water closer to the surface warms, it becomes more stratified, meaning the cooler, more nutrient-dense water sinks, leaving the algae in the warmer water with depleted nutrients. However, recent data have shown that even in nutrient depleted waters, the algae?s productivity may be sustained in a unique way.
Along with carbon, phytoplankton require nitrogen and phosphorus to photosynthesize. Under some conditions, these adaptable algae are able to substitute sulfur in place of the phosphorus they need, through a mechanism known as nutrient
uptake plasticity.
A team from the Hawai?i Ocean Time-series study program ran an experiment in which the plasticity mechanism was ?turned off?for some algae and left on for others. With the mechanism turned off, and all other conditions remaining the same, there was an 8%decrease in phytoplankton productivity. With the mechanism remaining unchanged, and all the conditions the same, there was actually a 5%increase in the phytoplankton productivity.
While this was only a small sample in a very specific region, Dr. Eun Young Kwon, first author of the study and a researcher at the IBSCenter for Climate Physics at Pusan National University, South Korea, believes that in some subtropical regions, the percent of increase in productivity may be much higher. Marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) is already one of the largest carbon sinks in the ocean, and this increase in
phytoplankton productivity would also increase the sea?s ability to sequester carbon dioxide from the environment. However, while phytoplankton are very adaptable organisms, they may not be entirely immune to the effects of climate change. Along with the depletion of nutrients, other issues include ocean acidification. Ocean acidification refers to the decrease in the ocean?s pH level, and this could have dramatic effects on calcifying phytoplankton organisms, as well as other species that are highly sensitive to pH changes such as corals. It is important for us to understand that even the smallest creatures on our planet are being affected by climate change. While we may not directly see the harm, eventually we will understand the importance every species has and why it is necessary to protect and preserve them while we can.
TheGiant Clam Creatureof theMonth:
By:DoraFigueroa,UHMMOPStudentClam
Old BlueLips, seen as an antagonist in theTV show
Spongebob Squarepants, portrays a real- lifeorganism known as thegiant clam. Giant clams areoften mistaken for corals by snorkelers and divers becausetheir outer shell blends in with thecalcium carbonateorganisms surrounding them and their openings often display bright colors. They areoften found in shallow reef flats in theIndian and South Pacific Ocean.
Giant clams are invertebrates in theSubfamily Tridacninae. Thesegigantic wonders can grow to thesize of 1.2 meters and weigh as much as 250 kilograms. Their sizemay seem intimidating, and indeed, it?s very impressivefor an invertebrate to grow so large. Thealgae that inhabit their tissue contributeto their
PacificGolden Plover. Photo by: Geoff Whalan, Flickr.largeproportions. They sharea symbiotic relationship with thealgae that provides them their food through photosynthesis. Nevertheless, they areoften algaethat provides them their food through photosynthesis. Nevertheless, they areoften mistaken for ?man-eaters,? despiteappearing to be immobile. You havenothing to worry about if you seeone on your next diving trip. Rest assured therehavenot been any headlines on deaths by giant clams.
Oneof themost distinctivefeatures of giant clams is their colorful mantle, which is thesoft tissuethat surrounds the clam's body insidetheshell. Themantleis often brightly colored with patterns of blue,
green, brown, and purple, and it contains photosynthetic algaecalled zooxanthellae. Becauseof their non-motility, they arethreatened by people who consumetheir abductor muscles, which areconsidered a delicacy, as well by poachers for their valuableshells. The hunting or collecting of giant clams endangers thefauna and flora around it because they areFilter feeders and help recyclenutrients around reefs. In most areas where giant clams exist, thereare laws and regulations protecting theseimportant invertebrates, but their numbers continueto decline.
As with many marinespecies, thefutureof giant clams depends on conservation efforts and responsible management of their populations.
An Interview with Byron Yoshina
By: Lucian Anderson, UHMMOPAlumnusOnApril 1,1946,Hilowasstruck by a tsunami.Thetsunami wastriggeredby a magnitude8.6 earthquakeintheAleutian IslandsinAlaska.Wavesashighas50 ft struck theunsuspectingresidents.At least 159 peoplewerekilled,makingit the deadliest tsunami inHawai?i?shistory.
ByronYoshinaisamember of my parents?writingcourseinOlympia, Washington.Mr.Yoshinaisoriginally from Hilo,Hawai?i andwasinHiloat thetimeof the1946 tsunami.Hesaidhewastenyears oldwhenthetsunami hit.My parents arrangedfor metomeet withhimandchat. Withhispermission,I recorded someof the uniquestorieshesharedwithmeabout the tsunami andsomelocal knowledgeof Hilo fromthe1940s-50s.Below isthe wonderful talk wehad.Unlessspecified,all issaidby Mr.Yoshina.
wasastorecalledKababayan,aFilipino dry goodsstore,at thefoot of thehill with abigsignthat saysKababayan.I looked out thereandI saw it standingtheresoI ranback andtoldmy dadhow Kababayan isstill thereandhecalledmy Uncleupand said,?Hey Kenneth,yougot mebut I know it'sApril fools.?
Me:What doyouremember about the 1946 tsunami?
April 1st in1946 my Unclecalledup my dadandhesays,?Hey Georgethere'sa tidal wave.Andit wipedout thetown.?
Andmydadsaid,?OhohKennethyou cannot fool me.I know it'sApril fool'sday.? But hesent meout tothefront of thehouse toseeif it wasreally true.I lookeddown towardtheoceanwhichisabout six blocks away frommy house.Downthehill,there
Kennethsaid,?NoGeorge,it'sreally true,?somy dadsent meout again.I went out andtheKababayanStorewasgone. Therewasnostoreleft.SoI hadtogoback andtell my dadthat it istrue.I remember that about April 1st.
What I know about thetsunami is that inLaup?hoehoe,whichisabout 30 milesnorthof Hilo,theHamakuacoast,it's onthewindwardsideof theislandsoit's cut away quiteabit by theprevailing windsfromthenortheast andit'sup towardsLaup?hoehoe.It'sasea
cliff. Laup?hoehoe,it literally meansaleaf of aP?hoehoelava.Anyway,there'salava flow that went over thecliffsintotheocean andcreatedthispeninsulaof lava.Sothere wasacommunity downonthat point there. Laup?hoehoeElementary School wasat that point.At that timethey usedtohave housingfor teachers.Now,there'ssome storiesabout how kidswereat theschool early inthemorning.They weredropped off early becausetheparentshadtogoto work.Whenthetsunami started,youknow thefirst indicationisthewater getsdrawn out intothesea.Sothekidssaw thesea recedingandsaw all thefishflopping around.Sothey ranout togather thefish andthey weretherewhentheseacame rushingback inandalot of kidsweretaken, werecaught upinthewaveandtakenout.
My cousinwasdownat theschool,he wasdroppedoff and whenhesaw the water recedinghestartedtogoout but thenhesaw thewater comingback in.So hestartedtoruntowardsthemountain andthentherewasthisguy ona motorcycle.Hedoesn't know whoit was but thisguy cameup,pickedhimupand took himuptotheBuddhist churchon higher ground,put himdownthereand went back topick upmorekids.But he never saw that guy againandhesaidthat henever knew whothat personwasbut that guy savedhislife.
Ohgosh,I don't know,well I know it's astory that my cousintoldme,youknow? And hesaidhedidn't know whothat guy wasand just pickedhimuptoasafeground and went back toget morekids.
Me:I wastoldthere?saromanticstory somewhereinthereabout aschool teacher.
Therewasaschool teacher whowas swept out tosea.Shewasout intheocean and shefoundthisdoor whichhadbeen tornoff thehingesandsoshegrabbedonto thisdoor and I think shepickedup somebody else.Sothereweretwoof them onthat door andthey weredriftingout to seaandthenherecomesaboat lookingfor survivors.There'saguy onit whopicked her upandthat guy happenedtobethe plantationdoctor.I think hisnameis Fernandez,I'mnot sure.Anyway,there'sa romanticendtothestory inthat theguy rescued her and thenfell inloveandthey got married.Unfortunately,I think their marriageendedinadivorce.It'sthat story, I feel,asbigthingscomeout of every romanticstory,that everyonetalkedabout.
Me:Doyouknow how many kidshesaved?
I don't know how many kidswere killed.They hadtohaveteacher housing becausethey hadtorecruit teachersfrom outsidethearea,and tokeepteachers there.Soyeah,just cottagesandthere werequiteafew peoplethat wedon't know whoweretakenout tosea,never recovered.[Editorial note:A teacher and
Peoplerun from an approaching tsunami in Hilo, Hawai?i, on 1 April 1946. Photograph courtesyof the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo, Hawai?i.
Tidal Wave Damage.
Hilo,
Hawai'i, 1946.25 studentslost their livesat Laup?hoehoeonApril 1st,1946.]
Me:Didyouknow any of them?
Ohno.Andthat'sabout theonly storiesI know about thetsunami.
Me:Didyouwalk aroundHilo afterwards?
Ohno.I wasayoungkidat that time,what wasit??46?(1946)I wasabout 10 yearsold.
sideof thestreet.Sohewassparedbut his oldoffice,thebuildingswereswept away completely.Therailroadtracksthat used torunalongthefront werewipedout. Therewasatrainterminal,atrainstation, at thefoot of WaianuenueAvenueand that waswipedout.Thebridgecrossing theWailukuRiver whichmarkedthe boundary of Hilotownwasasteel bridge that waswipedout.It wasmovedupriver. Thewavewassostrongit took thesteel structureandmoved it about a100 yards uptheriver.It stayedtherefor quitea while.What elsedoI remember about it?
Me:Didyounoticeany changesat the beachat all?
Well,theMainStreet goingalong thefront of Hiloit'scalledKamehameha Avenue.Therewerebusinessesonboth sidesof thestreet.Onthelower sideof Kamehamehaor towardstheocean,all thebusinessesweredestroyed,of course. They wereall gone.My dadhadhisoffice at thecorner of Kamehamehaand Waianuenue.Whichisabout ablock away fromtheWailukuriver.Hilotownis cut off onbothsidesby rivers.TheWailua River onthissideandtheWailukuonthis side.My dad'sofficewasabout ablock away fromtheWailukuRiver but hehad movedhisofficefromthelower sideto theother sideof thestreet.
It wastotal devastationonthelower side. ByronandI chatted abit after.He went totheUniversity of Hawai?i at Manoaandearned adegreeinZoology. Hethenmoved toIndianaandcontinued hiseducationat IndianaUniversity.We talkedabout someareasinHawai?i we botharefamiliar with.Wealsotalked about Hawaiianfood.Hehadn't hadpoi mochi donuts,yet.Soonafter,his daughter picked himuptotakehimhome. ByronYoshimalivesinOlympia, Washington.Heis86 yearsold.According totheHiloTsunami Museumthey have only eight storiesfrompeoplewhowere inHilofor the1946 tsunami.Soon,aswe progressfurther intotheinformationera, wewill havefewer peopletotell events likethese.Socall your eldersandask themabout past eventsor timesinhistory that they recall.Their storieswill fascinateyou.
Volume XXXVIII,Number 3
Editor: Abbie Jeremiah Dr.Cynthia Hunter (eminence grise) Jeffrey Kuwabara (eminence grise)
Writing Team: Chloe Molou,Lucian Anderson,Alexandrya Robinson, Haley Chasin,Abbie Jeremiah,Sofia Flores Pina,Sara McGhee,Dora Figueroa
Seawords- Marine Option Program
University of Hawai?i,College of Natural Sciences
2450 Campus Road,Dean Hall 105A
Honolulu,HI 96822-2219
Telephone:(808) 956-8433
Email:<seawords@hawaii.edu>
Website:<http://www.hawaii.edu/mop>
Seawords isthe monthly newsletter newsletter of the Marine Option Program at the University of Hawai?i.Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Marine Option Program or of the University of Hawai?i.
Suggestions and submissionsare welcome.Submissions may include articles,photography,art work,or anything that may be of interest to the marine community in Hawai?i.and around the world.