BIOL 309/509: Field Biology of Hawai’i Island: Natural History, Ecology and Marine Biology,
Co-instructors:
Dr. Todd Huspeni, parasitologist
Winterim(715-346-4250)
2015
Dr. Emmet Judziewicz, plant taxonomist (715-346-4248; cell 715-347-7652)
Dr. Christopher Yahnke, mammalogist
(715-346-2455)
Course Syllabus
Sunday, December 28, 2014 – Sunday, January 11, 2015. PLUS pre-course evening lectures on Wednesday,
October 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014.
Spring
2005
3 credits;
permission required; enrollment limit 14 students.
Course fee: $1,500.00 (lodging, vehicle rental, groceries) + you pay your own airfare.
Description – A field biology course designed to introduce the student to the terrestrial and marine
ecosystems of the Hawaii Island (also known as the Big Island). 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.
Text– Culliney, J.C.: Islands in a Far Sea: The Fate of Nature in Hawaii. 2006. University of Hawaii Press. (posted
on D2L)
Course Goals
1. Introduction to Hawaiian ecosystems; become knowledgeable with their taxonomy and ecology.
2. Learning through active experiences: visits, on-site lectures & discussions.
3. Seminar on a topic of your choice, based on a literature review and field observations.
Itinerary and Lecture Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 24th, 2014. 5:00 pm, TNR 300. Pre-course informational and selection meeting. Nearly
mandatory if you wish to attend!
Wednesday, October 1. Notification of students who have been accepted for the trip.
PRE-TRIP LECTURES (you are strongly advised to attend!)
Wednesday, October 22. 7:00-8:45 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. Pre-trip lectures by Dr. Chris Yahnke (Marine mammals),
Dr. Judziewicz (Birds).
Monday, November 10. Registration begins.
Sunday, December 28, 2014: Arrive on Hawai’i Island (Hilo Airport, ITO). Drs. Huspeni 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: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (http://www.nps.gov/havo/) Kilauaea Iki
Crater hike (10 km): http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/kilauea_iki_trail_guide_web.pdf;
lava viewing in evening. Lodging: Volcano Guest House.
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Tuesday, December 30th: Kahuku Ranch unit, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; 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.
Wednesday, December 31th: Volcano Village Farmer’s Market, 6:00 am, not to be missed
http://www.volcanogallery.com/volcano_farmers.htm; Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Hike Napau and
Na’ulu Trails to Kealakomo Overlook (13 km): http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_napau.htm;
Lodging: Volcano Guest House.
Thursday, January 1st: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Chain of Craters Road; Pu’u Loa
Petroglyphs, morning. 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: Hilo Farmer’s Market; Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument visitor
center, Hilo (http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov); Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Onomea
http://htbg.com/. Lodging: Volcano Guest House.
Sunday, January 4th: Tour of Keauhou Bird Conservation Center with employee and UWSP TNR
alumna Rachel Kingsley (http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/tag/keauhou-bird-conservation-center/). Hawai’i
Volcanoes National Park. Jaggar Volcano Museum and Observatory; Steam Vents; Hawaiian dinner and
music at Crater Rim Café, Kilauaea http://www.kmc-volcano.com/0food.asp#Cafe). Lodging: Volcano
Guest House.
Monday, January 5th. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park headquarters, final visit; Kalapana lava viewing
area. Lodging: Volcano Guest House.
Tuesday, January 6th: 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.
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_park.html; Lapakahi State
Historical Park (http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/index.cfm?park_id=50); Kohala Mountain
Road. 2nd night at Kalopa State Park cabins.
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Thursday, January 8 : Waipio Valley: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waipio_Valley; herp-hunting
(chamaeleons, geckos), Hawaiian hawks (io) in Kalopa State Forest Reserve. 3rd night at Kalopa State
Park cabins.
Friday, January 9th: Leave Kalopa State Recreational Area; Kua’iwi Organic Coffee Farm tour with
Una Greenaway (http://www.kuaiwifarm.com/tours.html) in Captain Cook; Amy Greenwell
Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook:
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/exhibits/greenwell/greenwell.html. Lodging: Manago Hotel, Captain
Cook: http://www.managohotel.com/.
Saturday, January 10th: Fair Winds snorkeling cruise to Kealakekua Bay (http://www.fairwind.com/fair-wind-ii/kealakekua-snorkel-am-cruise). Free afternoon in city of Kailua-Kona. Lodging:
Manago Hotel, Captain Cook.
Sunday, January 11th: Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
(http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm), cultural visit; Drive to Hilo via Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National
Historical Park; final exam at Manuka State Park wayside; communal farewell dinner in Hilo; depart from
Hilo Airport in late evening.
Course Expectations and Assignments
Students will be graded on the following:
1. (30%) 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
2. (20%) 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 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.
3. (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.
4. (30%). Exam(s). There will be one or, at our option, two mini-exams on the trip. The exam(s) will
be half open-book (you are allowed to use notes in your journals) and half closed-book.
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Frequently Asked Questions/Logistics
Cost: Tuition for 3 credits + you pay your own airfare (ballpark figure: $900-1100 + baggage fees) + $ 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 when possible.
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.
What to Bring
(WE MUST SEVERELY LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL GEAR – JUST ONE MEDIUM-SIZED
SUITCASE and ONE DAYPACK) (note: there are washing machines at Volcano Guest House)
Required
swimsuit
rain gear!!! (outer shell, pants)
1 (or better 2) liter water bottle(s)
winter jacket (can get cold above 4,000 ft.) and wool
cap
headlamp
sleeping bag rated to 50°, towel (for 3 days in the
Kalopa cabins) and sleeping pad, small pillow
money for personal food (minimum $200).
toilet articles
towel
Optional but recommended
2 pairs pants
Reef “slippahs” (purchasable in Hawaii)
2 pairs long sleeve shirts
sunglasses
2 T-shirts
binoculars
3 pairs socks
camera (waterproof preferred)
tennis shoes
pocket knife (in checked bags only)
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