Field
Ecology of Hawaii – Biology 309/509 and 490/6902014-2015
W
INTERIM
Lilly, Katelyn, and Matt at the bird conservation
center run in partnership with the San Diego Zoo
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Cost: Tuition for 3 credits + you pay your
own airfare (ballpark figure: $900-1000) +
$ 1500.00 for special course fees. The
course fee covers lodging, vehicle rental,
most food (about 30 of our estimated 36
meals), and tour and entrance fees).
Safety: Drowning and traffic accidents are
the main hazards in Hawaii. We will be
emphasizing water safety and avoiding
night driving.
This is a field biology course designed to introduce the student to the
terrestrial and marine ecosystems of the Big Island of
Hawaii. Natural communities will be a major emphasis; we will
cover forest ecology in the dynamic volcanic landscapes of Hawaii,
including the native fauna (especially birds) and the massive threats
posed by exotic animals and plants. Marine biology will be another
major emphasis, including reef ecology and the opportunity to
observe humpback whales, spinner dolphins and green sea turtles.
We will learn through active experiences: visits and on-site lectures
and discussions. You will be responsible for a short seminar on a
topic of your choice, based on a literature review and field
observations.
Course Expectations and Assignments
(25%) Personal journal, in which you should record:
a) Notes from the instructors’ lectures
b) Biological sightings and information for each site
c) Habitat information for each ecosystem
d) Species interaction information
e) Abiotic information, including geology and climate
f) Personal impressions on anything
(25%). Exam(s). There will be one or, at our option, two miniexams on the trip. The exam(s) will be half open-book (you are
allowed to use notes in your journals) and half closed-book.
Medical: Please bring your insurance
card. A credit card to pay for unexpected
medical treatment is a good idea.
Journals: We’ll provide you with one – a
spiral bound notebook – Have it ready for
notes at all times in the vans and at
campgrounds.
Lia with class in
Waipio Valley
DR. EMMET JUDZIEWICZ, PLANT TAXONOMIST (715-346-4248; CELL 715-347-7652)
DR. CHRISTOPHER YAHNKE, MAMMALOGIST (715-346-2455; CELL 715-254-5575)
•
Winterim 2014-2015 (Sunday, December 28, 2014 – Sunday, January 11, 2015). PLUS pre -course
evening lectures on Wednesday, October 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014).
•
3 credits, permission required, enrollment limit 14 students.
•
Course Fee: $1,500 + you pay your own airfare.
WINTERIM
Field Ecology of Hawaii
2014-2015
WHAT TO BRING
(30%) Seminar Presentation. Each student or student group
will choose an ecosystem/site in which to specialize and present a
seminar based on field observations and a literature review.
Students registered for 309/509 may work and present in groups,
with seminars lasting approximately 45 minutes per group (based
on group size of 2-3 students). Your presentation grade will also
include a portion for participation during the seminars of other
students. For this, you will need to focus on the other seminars
and ask questions.
WE MUST SEVERLY LIMIT THE AMOUNT
OF PERSONAL GEAR – JUST ONE MEDIUMSIZED SUITCASE AND ONE DAYPACK
Bring the following items:
rain gear!!! (outer shell, pants)
hiking boots (lava is rough)
winter jacket
warm hat
(20%) Deportment. As this will be an intense field course, you
will be expected to pitch in whenever possible. You are also
expected to maintain a reasonable temperament and act in a
mature manner at all times. Illegal drugs, underage drinking,
drunkenness by those of legal age, or open or unopened
containers of alcoholic beverages in university vehicles – None of
these behaviors will be tolerated by us.
sleeping bag rated to 50°, towel (for 3 days in the
Kalopa cabins)
towel
2 pairs pants
2 pairs long sleeve shirts
2 T-shirts
sweater
3 pairs socks
tennis shoes
swimsuit
1 (or better 2) liter water bottle(s)
headlamp
toilet articles
money for personal food (minimum $200).
Optional but recommended
Reef “slippahs” (purchasable in Hawaii)
sunglasses
binoculars
camera
pocket knife (in checked bags only)
Ohi’a tree growing on lava in Volcanos National Park
a hui hou (until we meet again)
a’a (sharp jagged lava rock)
Pahoehoe (smooth, ropey lava)
Kane (man or boy)
Wahine (woman or girl)
Okole (ass or butt – slang)
Useful Hawaiian words and phrases
Mahalo (thank you)
Lolo (feeble minded)
Kulikuli (shut up!)
Kapu (no trespassing, sacred)
Haole (white person – slang)
Aloha (hello!, good-bye!)
Koa (warrior)
Kolohe (rascal)
Ohana (family)
Pau (finished)
Pupule (crazy)
Kumu (teacher)
WINTERIM
Itinerary and Lecture Schedule
2015
Itinerary
Sunday, December 28, 2014: Arrive on Hawai’i Island (Hilo Airport, ITO).
Drs. Yahnke and Judziewicz will already be there to meet the group. Drive 28
miles to Volcano Village; stay at Volcano Guest House for next 8 days.
Lodging: Volcano Guest House (http://www.volcanoguesthouse.com/.)
Monday, December 29: Tour of Keauhou Bird Conservation Center with
employee and UWSP TNR alumna Rachel Kingsley
(http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/tag/keauhou-bird-conservation-center/). Visitor
Center and Mauna Loa Slope Road, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Lodging:
Volcano Guest House.
Tuesday, December 30th: Kilauea Iki Trail, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Lodging: Volcano Guest House. Lodging: Volcano Guest House.
Wednesday, December 31th: Hilo Farmer’s Market; Papahānaumokuākea
National Marine Monument visitor center, Hilo
(http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov); Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden,
Onomea http://htbg.com/. Jaggar Volcano Museum and Observatory; Steam
Vents. Lodging: Volcano Guest House.
Thursday, January 1st, 2015: Active learning (organic farming and
sustainability) at La’iku Peaceful Organic Farm, Kurtistown (with retired county
agricultural agent Deb Ward and retired University of Hawaii prof Fred Stone):
(http://www.localharvest.org/laiku-organic-fruit-M40881).
Friday, January 2nd: Mauna Loa hike, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park:
Hilina Pali Road; Mauna Loa Road to trailhead at 2000 m; alpine shrubland;
Kipuka Ki (mixed mesophytic forest); koa forest; Kipuka Pua’ulu (Bird Park);
Alpine ecology, koa and mesophytic forests
(http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/Island_map.pdf). Lodging:
Volcano Guest House.
Saturday, January 3rd: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Kahuku Ranch unit,
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach (sea turtle habitat), springs, tide pools:
http://www.konaweb.com/features/punaluu/index.shtml; Manuka State Park trail
(http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/hiking/hawaii/index.cfm?hike_id=37); Ka Lae
(South Point), southernmost point in the United States:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ka_Lae (humpback whale watching). Lodging:
Volcano Guest House.
PRE-TRIP MEETINGS AND
LECTURES
Wednesday, Sept. 24th, 2014.
5:00 pm, TNR 300. Pre-course
informational and selection
meeting. Mandatory if you wish
to attend.
Wednesday, October 1.
Notification of which students
have been accepted for the trip.
Wednesday, October 22. 7:008:45 pm, TNR 300. Pre-trip
lectures by Dr. Judziewicz
(overview of Hawaiian natural
history) and Dr. Todd Huspeni
(marine biology).
Wednesday, November 5.
7:00-8:45 pm, TNR 300. Pretrip lectures by Dr. Judziewicz
(Hawaiian birds) and Dr. Yahnke
(Island biogeography).
Monday, November 10.
Registration begins.
Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘aina i ka pono. The life of
the land is preserved in righteousness.
Motto of Hawai’i
Sunday, January 4th: Volcano Village Farmer’s Market, 6:00 am
http://www.volcanogallery.com/volcano_farmers.htm; Hawai’i
Volcanoes National Park: Hike Napau and Na’ulu Trails to Kealakomo
Overlook (13 km): Chain of Craters Road; Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs.
Lodging: Volcano Guest House.
Monday, January 5th. Leave Volcano; Saddle Road between Mauna
Loa and Mauna Kea; Alpine ecology: Nenes, palilas, mamane,
silverswords. Visit Onizuka Center for International Astronomy at 2800
m on Mauna Kea (http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/; we will not drive
to the top, however); mamane/naio forest. Hike Kipuka Pu’u Huluhulu on
Saddle Road; arrive at our lodging (cabins) at Kalopa State Park:
http://www.bigisland.org/parks/315/kalopa-state-recreation-area.
Tuesday, January 6th: Waipio Valley:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waipio_Valley, visit Dwayne Lia; herphunting (chamaeleons, geckos), Hawaiian hawks (io) in Kalopa State
Forest Reserve. 2nd night at Kalopa State Park cabins.
Thursday, January 8th: Leave Kalopa State Recreational Area; Organic
coffee and cacao farm, Kona’s Earthly Delights:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Konas-Earthly-DelightsFarm/185026408246478 in Captain Cook; Lodging: Manago Hotel,
Captain Cook: http://www.managohotel.com/.
Friday, January 9th: Fair Winds snorkeling cruise to Kealakekua Bay
(http://www.fair-wind.com/fair-wind-ii/kealakekua-snorkel-am-cruise).
Free afternoon in city of Kailua-Kona. Lodging: Manago Hotel, Captain
Cook.
Saturday, January 10th: Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical
Park (http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm). Amy Greenwell
Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook:
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/exhibits/greenwell/greenwell.html.
Sunday, January 11th: Drive to Hilo; final exam at Manuka State Park
wayside; communal farewell dinner in Hilo; depart from Hilo Airport in
late evening.
Wednesday, January 7th: Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
(http://www.nps.gov/puhe/index.htm); Hapuna Beach State Park
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html/beaches/hapuna_beach_state_pa
rk.html; Lapakahi State Historical Park
(http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/index.cfm?park_id=50);
Kohala Mountain Road. 3rd night at Kalopa State Park cabins.
You are ambassadors of UWSP!
The university offers a variety of field courses and study abroad
opportunities. In the Department of Biology we are proud to have a
good reputation in the many national parks, campgrounds, and guest
houses we utilize during our courses. We are considered excellent
guests because we are courteous, respectful of posted quiet times, and
leave sites better than we found them.
In our years of experience running field courses, it is alcohol use that
causes 99% of the problems. That is why we severely restrict
consumption on our trips. If you are looking for a party, please look
somewhere else. We design field courses to be intense educational
experiences and have lots of fun along the way.
Jake with the ono he reeled in on the 2012 trip. Tour boat
operators typically have lines in the water and split the catch.
This was the largest fish caught that year. Last year no fish were
hooked on our snorkeling trip. Try the ono at the Manago Hotel
in Captain Cook.
Komo mai kau mapuna hoe – Dip your paddle in
/ Join in the effort.
Hawaiian saying