Similarities and Differences

We went to Las Ninfas, a mangrove forest, to check it out and explore the significance of mangroves in the near-shore marine ecosystem of Galápagos.  It si very different from Hawaii, mangroves provide an essential habitat for juvenile fish development, nesting birds, as well as pulling nutrients out of the water, to help prevent eutrophication.  Notice how clear the water is, the numerous amounts of fish and other marine life, and the sandy bottom.  This is a stark contrast to turbid (murky) waters in the mangrove forests of Hawaiʻi.  The red mangrove in Hawaiʻi, has roots and leaves that grow much denser, they also produce organic sediments at a much higher rate.  Those factors combined with a lack of flushing contribute to very low dissolved oxygen concentrations and poor water quality.  The the same species in Galápagos (shown in some of the photos below) have a less dense canopy and root structure system (probably because there are less nutrient rich streams flowing into them).  Consequently, more light can get through to allow for photosynthesis to occur, increasing dissolved oxygen.   Galápagos has a greater tidal range, flushing sediments out of the mangrove forest and also contributing to greater oxygen.  Another major difference is that the fish species in Galápagos have co-evolved with the mangroves, while our endemic species have yet to populate even the cleanest mangrove root systems.  Do notice how well signed the area is, educating tourists and locals alike.

Sunday was spent on Isabela.  We took a speed boat, as an entire group, on a very smooth downwind run at 20kts.  On Isabela we looked at a population of endemic greater flamingos, we visited a tortoise nursery and went snorkeling.  Part of the group was able to snorkel in a mangrove forest where lots of juvenile (1/2” long) mamo, shrimp, and sea lions.  They later joined the rest of the group in another area to snorkel with marine iguana (they kept bumping into Mr. Kamalu), penguin, honu, octopus, brittle stars, sea stars, blennies, gobies, parrot fish, damselfish,  wrasses, flagtail, nudibranch, urchins galore, and others.  Our guides then took us to a spot where it appeared as if four penguins were worshiping a blue-footed boobie and its mate.  We were also fortunate enough to witness three manta rays flying underwater in formation.

Monday- Students spent two hours of the morning at Escuela Galo Plaza Lasso, a public middle school in Puerto Ayora.  Here students shared Hawaiian Culture, explained the mission of Mālama Honua, and made new friends, all while not being able to speak a common language.   Galapagueño and Hawaiian students were forced to communicate in other, more creative ways, with tremendous success.   We all left the school feeling charged up after such an enlightening experience. 

It was wonderful to return to Hokulea and for the students to pass along their mana to the waʻa and her crew was indeed very powerful.  Students had the chance to send off Hõkūleʻa in a proper fashion and wish all aboard fair winds and following seas.  They also gained a better understanding of how the crew needs to work with each other, depend and rely on each other and to listen to the needs of Hōkūleʻa so she can be cared for and tuned enabling her to dance in harmony with the sea.  In many ways metaphoric to how we need to treat our planet. He waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa.

Project Presentations!!

And huge MAHALO to Alejandra, thank you for opening Galápagos to us!!