Hawaiian Islands Coastal Vegetation Survey 2013-2015

This dataset provides information on the current status and various other habitat and descriptive attributes of the native coastal vegetation for seven of the main Hawaiian Islands (i.e., does not include Niihau).

This study was focused on identifying sites that still retain relatively intact and highly diverse native coastal plant communities throughout seven of the main Hawaiian Islands (Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii) that may be further impacted by projected sea level rise. The island of Niihau was not included in the survey since there is very limited information for this island on its coastal plant community composition and structure, and very-high-resolution imagery is not available to use for assessing the status of its coastal vegetation. Within the identified threatened coastal sites we also attempted to determine if important cultural sites (e.g., Hawaiian house or wall structures, burial sites, etc.) found at there might also be threatened by the projected sea level rise. The results of this study are intended to provide a spatial foundation for identifying priority sites containing native coastal vegetation which can be used for the development of management strategies to help maintain the viability of native coastal plant communities and other important cultural resources found at these sites.