Dendostrea sandvichensis ( G. B. Sowerby II, 1871) is a small, flat oyster species with an Indo-Pacific distribution which includes Hawai`i. It is one of four native true oyster species documented as extant in Hawai` i. The Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC) at the University of Hawai`i Hilo has been developing culture methods for this species since 2010. Over the last two years, the Waiwai Ola Hawaiian Islands Waterkeepers , has partnered with the P acific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC) at the University of Hawaii Hilo and other partners to test the use of this species in Hawai'i to restore native oysters and to improve water quality and clarity . Although the benefits of using suspension- feeding bivalves for water quality improvement and public engagement are well known, unique challenges have been encountered in use of D. sandvichensis .
Hilo Bay was the first site where aquacultured specimens of this species were first deployed in 2013, followed by tests in the traditional Hawaiian fishponds, Hale O Lono (Hilo, Hawai`i) and He`eia (Kāne`ohe). Recently a concerted effort has been made to deployed and test the growth rates and survival of D. sandvichensis in seven sites on O`ahu including two in Pearl Harbor conjunction with the U.S. Navy, Kāneohe Marine Corps Base, Sand Island, the Waikalua fishpond and two marinas at the mouth of the Ala Wai Canal. The latter is one of the most contaminated waterbodies in Hawai`i. We will present data on the growth rate, survival and biofouling issues at these sites.
In conjunction with the native oyster restoration project, Waterkeepers engage youth in watershed education about stormwater, wastewater, water quality, and fishing safety.