Wai Beneath: Groundwater and Reef Resilience

The project will investigate the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in sustaining Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs and coastal ecosystems. By combining geochemical measurements, temperature monitoring, and place-based observation, we will identify how freshwater influences reef metabolism and resilience to bleaching. As aquifers are depleted and climate change alters rainfall, understanding the role of wai beneath the surface will guide better management of both groundwater and reefs.