Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Marine National Monument Expedition

July 20 July 20 July 19 July 17 July 16 July 16 July 16 July 15 July 13 July 12 July 12 July 11 July 10 Click here for more mission logs Meet the Team Mission Home Page

The NOAA ship Hi’ialakai (“embracing the pathways of the sea”) is on a 28-day voyage to the farthest reaches of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. They began this expedition on June 23, 2006.

This is the first expedition to this area since President Bush's proclamation designating it the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument.

NOAA ship Hi'ialakai

On June 23, the research vessel set sail with 20 scientists and educators in order to conduct further studies at Kure Atoll, the northernmost atoll in the Hawaiian Islands Archipelago, and at Pearl and Hermes Atoll.

Follow their progress via their mission logs and photos they send by clicking on the dates over on the right.

Mission Background

	Mission Plan From June 23 through July 20, 2006, a multidisciplinary team of scientists, archaeologists and educators will explore the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
	Maritime Heritage A team of six maritime archaeologists from NOAA's Maritime Heritage Program will embark upon the second maritime heritage expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands aboard the NOAA ship Hi'ialakai.
	Education Bringing the Place to the People: Expanding Understanding and Awareness of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
	Mapping Benthic habitat mapping and characterization is a fundamental component of ecosystem-based coral reef management.