Water quality at nine parks is highly susceptible to land based impacts, due to invasive species such as feral pigs and development adjacent to the parks

The Department of the Interior's National Park Service (NPS) awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $130,358.03 to the University of Hawaii at Hilo under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) program, effective September 4, 2025, through August 31, 2028. The award funds laboratory analysis of water chemistry at nine parks in Hawaii that face water quality degradation from land-based impacts, including invasive species such as feral pigs and adjacent development. The primary deliverables include laboratory analysis of five water chemistry measures to assess compliance with acceptable parameters for recreation, human use, and habitat sustainability, along with acid washing of sample containers.

This work directly supports the Department of Interior's FY26-30 strategic plan objectives related to clean water supply (Objective 2.3) and natural resource recreation, protection, and restoration (Objectives 3.1-3.4). As a Native Hawaiian-serving institution with demonstrated expertise in environmental research and coastal resource management, the University of Hawaii at Hilo serves as the implementing partner for this science-based water quality assessment initiative, which aligns with the NPS mandate to facilitate multi-disciplinary science supporting management of the National Park System.

This agreement funds lab analysis of five water chemistry measures to determine if IT is within acceptable parameters for recreation, human use, and habitat and acid washing of sample containers. This work supports the DOI draft FY26-30 plan objectives 2.3 (clean water supply) and 3.1-3.4 (natural resource recreation, protection, restoration).