Programs Blog

July 27, 2025

Noon Position: (Lat and Long): 20° 39.0’ N 156° 26.9’ W

Ship Heading (degrees): None (we are at anchor) 

Ship Speed (knots): 0 knots 

Taffrail Log (nm): 321.4 nm

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change): Weather: 32.5 deg C; Wind: N x NW; Sail Plan: not sailing 

Description of Location: Anchored along Maui shoreline at Makenna Bay

Hey Bloggy Blog! After a few brutal days of seasickness, I have finally overcome my queasiness and am therefore in a great mood! We are also anchored at a beautiful spot, another contributor to my current happiness. We anchored yesterday at Maui, and so far, it’s been a very fun and productive time. Between the boat watches and scientific snorkeling on the reefs, our days have been filled with jumping into crisp, blue water from the ship’s bow sprit, lying on the bow net and soaking up some sun, and eating dinner all together on the deck while chatting and watching a sorbet-colored sunset. All these experiences have been extremely memorable. 

Today we completed our first reef survey at Makenna Bay, Maui since being at sea! As a member of B watch’s fish team, I spent my time on the reef conducting three types of fish ID and population count surveys (stationary, belt, roving) with Akil. 

Some highlights from this dive include seeing: 

• Lots of Butterflyfish—you almost always see them in couples of two swimming together because they mate for life which is sweet
• A massive school of large Chubs—they look as cute as their name sounds—probably about 50 of them which was super cool
• A large school of Goatfish
• Hawaii’s state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa triggerfish
• A Yellow Tang, which is one of my all-time favorite fish!! 
• And a beautiful, big Green Sea Turtle! It swam right up to Akil and I, and we watched as it went to the surface for air right in front of us and then dived to the reef below. Every time I see a turtle it feels just as exciting and significant as my first time ever seeing one in Hawaii when I was seven years old. 

Overall, our dive was successful, Go B watch! In addition to fish and invertebrate surveys, we laid transects on the seafloor and used a photo quadrant to capture images that will be used to analyze benthic cover composition. I’m super tired now– but a good, accomplished tired– from a full day of field work and the following data analysis. I’m looking forward to looking up at the stars on my night watch and then getting a good night’s sleep before transiting tomorrow morning to Big Island! 

Juliet Wiener, Watch B, University of Washington