Following the discussion, the students divided into three working groups and began data collecting at Hi'ilawe Stream. They worked at a site just upstream from the county road crossing (a short walk from Araki's). Scientists taught the students the data collection methods and use of the equipment (instruments had been calibrated earlier in the trip at the Hilo DAR station).
The participating scientists included:
Ron Englund,
aquatic biologist and project director of the Waipi‘o Valley Stream Restoration
Study,
David Preston and Myra McShane, scientists from Bishop Museum, and
John Kahiapo, education specialist of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources.
The following methods of data collecting were conducted by rotating groups: Groups worked their way upstream as they collected data at intervals.
- Stream Flow - measuring the total amount of water flowing in the stream by using a staff rod and flow meter to measure stream depth and velocity at specific points.
- Water Quality - instruments were used to take water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, conductivity and turbidity.