Investigating History Underwater in Hawaiʻi
Ever wonder what lies beneath the ocean’s surface in Hawaiian waters? Besides the plethora of diverse geological formations and wildlife, you might be surprised to find out there are hidden pieces of history sitting at the bottom of the ocean. On the final leg of our From Shore to the Abyss partnership program with the National Geographic Society, the Maritime Heritage project team explored and documented maritime history. They dove on six different World War II era wreck sites off the coast of Maui and completed a visual survey of Shipwreck Beach in Lānaʻi. Using photogrammetry to create 3D virtual recreations of these historic sites assists archaeologists and other site managers with understanding how a site physically changes over time. This project also brings history and archeology to life for people around the world.
From Shore To the Abyss: Exploration of Maritime Heritage and Microplastic Pollution in the Main Hawaiian Islands
Our third From Shore to the Abyss expedition finds OET and National Geographic Society investigating maritime cultural heritage and plastic pollution in the waters around Lānaʻi and Maui. Both project teams will investigate evidence left behind by humans to better understand what happened in the past, as well as what this means for the future. Projects focus on the intersection of human actions and the ocean environment to inform policy and management of this ecosystem.
