Proposal Abstract

The Aerial Drone Project involves radio-controlled UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) multi-rotor drones. The purpose of the project is to expand, adapt, and improve upon the drone system already in place and ultimately collect images and various types of data on the historic Ala Kahakai Trail (coastal trail) in Kohala. We will collect the data using Infrared cameras to detect water levels in the vegetation as well as the heat signatures of wildlife, GPS receivers to map the trail, and high definition cameras to collect visual and archaeological data. This project will benefit the State of Hawaii by providing updated data and images of the trail, and it could benefit the scientific community by illustrating new methods of mapping and environmental data collection.