Pacific Islands Geospatial Network

Lead Agency

NOAA Pacific Services Center (PSC).

Participating Jurisdictions

American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and Hawai‘i.

Objective

Build a geospatial network of mapping professionals to further the collection and dissemination of spatial data in the Pacific Islands.

Description

Given the remote locations of these islands and the high costs of data collection and training, opportunities to partner with other federal, state, and territorial agencies are essential. Numerous organizations have activities planned or in progress in the next year. PSC will continue to build partnerships and leverage opportunities for collaboration in spatial data collection, training, and capacity building within the Pacific Islands.

Current Activities

NOAA LIDAR Data Collection

The NOAA Coastal Services Center is collecting Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data for the island of O‘ahu and a portion of the island of Maui. LIDAR collects highly accurate elevation values that are used to produce digital elevation models. The data are being collected through a contract with EarthData, Inc., located in Frederick, Maryland. LIDAR data are being collected in two sets during the fall of 2003. The entire island of O‘ahu will be mapped at a 4-meter posting (translating to a nominal 4-meter horizontal grid), and a small portion of Maui, 50 square kilometers, will be mapped at a 2-meter posting (translating to a nominal 2-meter horizontal grid).

NOAA IKONOS Data Collection

Since 2000, NOAA has been involved in acquiring high-resolution imagery to support mapping activities in the Pacific Islands. These activities include mapping the diverse coral reef ecosystems in the Pacific Islands, as well as creating baseline terrestrial data for coastal management and planning. NOAA purchased new and archived Space Imaging, Inc., IKONOS satellite imagery of American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands between 2001 and 2003. More information can be found at the Pacific Islands geographic information system (GIS) project imagery activities Web site.

Outcome

Improved coordination and spatial data made available to Pacific Island coastal resource managers.

Potential Project Partners

City and County of Honolulu, CNMI Coastal Resources Management Office, County of Maui, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Guam Coastal Management Program, Hawai‘i Coastal Zone Management Program, Hawai‘i Geographic Information Coordinating Council, Hawai‘i Office of Planning, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, NOAA Coastal Services Center, NOAA National Geodetic Survey, University of Hawai‘i, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and others.