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The MEGA Lab, is a marine science research facility based at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Founded in 2018 by John Burns, alongside Cliff Kapono and Haunani Kane, the lab focuses on integrating technologies such as 3D modeling, photogrammetry, and data science to study coral reef ecosystems. The MEGA Lab is known for its interdisciplinary approach, merging marine science with non-traditional fields like surfing and art, and emphasizing collaboration with communities and students. In addition to contributing to scientific understanding, the lab's research supports global conservation efforts, with a strong focus on coral reef preservation and addressing challenges like climate change and sea level rise.
Founding and Background
[edit]The Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis (MEGA) Lab was founded in 2018 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo by marine scientist John Burns, with contributions from co-founders Cliff Kapono and Haunani Kane. Burns, an alumnus of UH Hilo, he wanted to create an interdisciplinary research hub that combines marine science, data science, and the arts.[1] The lab was founded in response to the co-founders' desire to challenge traditional norms in the scientific community and promote a more collaborative approach. During their surfing trips as students, they envisioned a research facility that would bridge gaps between traditional science, community engagement, and other industries like surfing and art.[2]
The MEGA Lab focuses on using 3D mapping coral reef ecosystems to provide insights into the structure, health, and biodiversity of reefs, allowing scientists to track changes and ecological dynamics over time.[3] The lab’s research contributes to academic understanding and global conservation efforts to help protect coral reefs and the surf breaks they support. This research is meant to address global challenges like sea level rise, climate change, and reef degradation.[1]
Its collaborative ethos encourages student involvement, allowing undergraduates and graduate students from various disciplines to engage in hands-on projects.[4] The lab has since become recognized for its high-resolution 3D reconstructions of coral reefs and its work mapping world-famous surf breaks, providing insights into both reef and wave dynamics.[5]
Research and Technology
[edit]The MEGA Lab utilizes digital tools like 3D mapping to create high-resolution reconstructions of underwater habitats. This allows for more detailed studies of coral ecosystems than traditional methods, which are labor-intensive and often provide limited data. By using structure-from-motion photogrammetry, the lab can extract information from existing data and convert 2D reef images into dynamic 3D models, offering scientists and the public a clearer understanding of coral health and reef structures over time.[6]
A hallmark of the lab’s work is its focus on coral reef conservation and the intersection of marine science with non-traditional industries like surfing.[7] The MEGA Lab has mapped some of the world's most famous surf breaks, including Oʻahu's Banzai Pipeline and Fiji's Cloudbreak, using the 3D models to study how the seafloor shapes these waves. [8] This research contributes the study of wave dynamics and reef protection.[5]
Additionally, the lab's use of mixed reality technology through its MEGA Vision project[9] integrates 3D reef data with augmented reality (AR). This tool allows users to explore realistic, spatially accurate reef reconstructions and submerged archaeological artifacts, contributing to public engagement and education about marine ecosystems. The technology exemplifies how scientific data visualization can be used to foster greater understanding of marine conservation efforts.[4]
Student Involvement and Education
[edit]The MEGA Lab emphasizes student involvement in research, offering hands-on learning through advanced technologies like 3D mapping. Students from diverse fields—marine science, art, and computer science—collaborate on various projects. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to pursue their interests while gaining leadership and research skills, fostering a new generation of scientists who are prepared to tackle global environmental challenges.[1]
Collaboration and Industry Partnerships
[edit]The MEGA Lab has partnered with brands like REEF and Surfline, leveraging these relationships to connect science with surfing culture. By collaborating with these industry leaders, the lab studies the coral reefs that underpin famous surf breaks.[10] In addition to working with the surfing industry, the lab collaborates with local and international scientists, pooling expertise to conduct in-depth studies of marine ecosystems.[11]
Connection to Indigenous Communities
[edit]The MEGA Lab actively collaborates with Indigenous communities, particularly in regions like Fiji, where surf breaks and coral reefs are central to both the environment and the local culture.[7] The lab’s co-founders emphasize the importance of respecting local knowledge and traditions before introducing new research tools. By working with Indigenous peoples, the lab integrates traditional ecological wisdom with modern scientific methods, fostering a respectful and reciprocal relationship that benefits both the local communities and global marine conservation efforts.[12] The lab also collaborates with artists like Michael Joo, whose work bridges the gap between art and science, bringing a creative perspective to the exploration of marine environments.[13]
Founders’ Contributions
[edit]The MEGA Lab was co-founded by three individuals with diverse backgrounds:
- John Burns, a marine scientist and associate professor at UH Hilo, specializes in coral reef ecology, 3D mapping, and data science. His work focuses on using advanced technologies to understand and protect coral reef ecosystems.[14]
- Cliff Kapono, a professional surfer and chemist, contributes his expertise in ocean ecosystems and surfing culture to bridge the gap between science and recreation, focusing on how surfing can inform marine conservation.[15]
- Haunani Kane, a geologist and the first Native Hawaiian woman to earn a Ph.D. in her field, brings her knowledge of coastal processes and their impacts on both natural systems and human communities, further emphasizing the lab’s interdisciplinary approach.[16]
Ruth Gates’ Influence
[edit]Ruth Gates, a pioneering coral reef scientist, had a profound influence on John Burns during his doctoral studies at UH Mānoa. Gates encouraged Burns to explore the potential of 3D mapping for coral reefs, a technique that has since become a cornerstone of the MEGA Lab’s research. [17]
Ruth Gates, who was featured in the 2017 Netflix documentary Chasing Coral, played a significant role in shaping John Burns’ work. Burns helped set up underwater webcams off the coasts of Oʻahu and East Hawaiʻi, capturing real-time footage of coral reefs for the film. [14]
These cameras, initially used for the documentary, later became a key feature of the MEGA Lab’s live-streaming platform, showcasing Hawaiian reef diversity. Although the cameras are currently offline for updates, a 2-hour highlight reel continues to provide a window into the unique ecosystems of Hawaiian reefs. This footage has been shared globally, reaching labs, classrooms, and hospice centers, providing educational material for various communities.[18]
Websites and External Links
[edit]- ^ a b c Staff (2024-01-12). "UH Hilo marine scientists dive into topical issues: Diversity in science and environmental protection". UH Hilo Stories. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "Hilo MEGA Lab Helps Surfing Scientists Research Reefs". www.bigislandvideonews.com. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ Nunn, Avery Schuyler (2022-06-01). "Surfer Cliff Kapono Is Making It Okay to Be a Scientist From Any Background With His MEGA Lab". The Inertia. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ a b [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-2-2024/409/2024/isprs-archives-XLVIII-2-2024-409-2024.pdf "MEGA Vision: Integrating Reef Photogrammetry Data into Immersive Mixed Reality Experiences"] (PDF). The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. Volume XLVIII-2-2024 ISPRS TC II (Mid-term Symposium “The Role of Photogrammetry for a Sustainable World”, 11–14 June 2024, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA).
{{cite journal}}:|volume=has extra text (help); Check|url=value (help) - ^ a b News, U. H. (2022-11-13). "Surfing scientists conduct 3D reef research at epic surf break | University of Hawaiʻi System News". Retrieved 2024-09-15.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Burns, J. H. R.; Delparte, D.; Gates, R. D.; Takabayashi, M. (2015-07-07). "Integrating structure-from-motion photogrammetry with geospatial software as a novel technique for quantifying 3D ecological characteristics of coral reefs". PeerJ. 3: e1077. doi:10.7717/peerj.1077. ISSN 2167-8359.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ a b Geniya (2022-09-10). "Exploring the Cloudbreak Reef with Dr. Cliff Kapono". Surfd. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "Surfing scientists quest to 3D map Fiji's Cloudbreak". khon2.com. Nov 13, 2022.
- ^ Spengler, Alex; Pascoe, Kailey; Kapono, Cliff; Kane, Haunani; Burns, John (2024-06-11). "MEGA Vision: Integrating Reef Photogrammetry Data into Immersive Mixed Reality Experiences". The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. XLVIII-2-2024: 409–414. doi:10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-2-2024-409-2024. ISSN 1682-1750.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ ""Mapping Pipeline", with Cliff Kapono and MEGA Lab". Surfline.
- ^ Mestey, Martita (2022-08-24). "Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How Dr Cliff Kapono Of REEF & MEGA Labs Is Helping T". Authority Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ Douglas-Rosa, Ashtyn (2024-01-02). "Chemist/Pro Surfer Cliff Kapono and a Team of Scientists Advise Against Olympic Judging Tower at Teahupo'o". Surfer. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "HT22 artist Michael Joo". Hawaii Contemporary. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ a b "John Burns and Colleagues of MEGA Lab are Pioneering a New Era of Marine Science – Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research". Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "Cliff Kapono". The Surfers Journal. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "Honolulu Scholar Kane Brings Indigenous Knowledge to Science | Honolulu". honolulu.arcsfoundation.org. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ Staff (2019-03-14). "UH Hilo marine scientist uses 3D modeling to monitor Pacific coral reef structures". UH Hilo Stories. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ Staff (2021-10-01). "UH Hilo livestream camera in waters off Kona is revolutionizing marine science education and research". UH Hilo Stories. Retrieved 2024-09-15.