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Our Mission

The U.S. Geological Survey, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, serves the Nation by providing reliable and impartial scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. The USGS has the principal responsibility within the Federal government for providing hydrologic information and for appraising the Nation's water resources.

The Pacific Islands Water Science Center collects hydrologic information and studies water-resource issues in support of the USGS mission. The Water Science Center carries out these activities to promote the wise management of water resources and address hydrologic hazards from flooding and drought. We believe that the unbiased scientific information provided by the USGS contributes to better resource allocation and public planning decisions.

Pacific Islands Water Science Center personnel work not only in the State of Hawaii, but also in the Territories of Guam and American Samoa, and previously in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.  The main office of the Water Science Center is in Honolulu. Field offices are located on Kauai, Maui, and Guam.

USGS personnel collect data on streamflow, suspended sediment, lake and reservoir stage, ground-water level and salinity and other water-quality parameters, aquatic ecology,  rainfall, and evapotranspiration. The Pacific Islands Water Science Center also carries out interpretive studies on the quantity and quality of surface and ground water. Work in the Pacific Islands is funded by several cooperating agencies, as well as by Federal funds.

Other USGS programs in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands include the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Coral Reefs of Hawaii and the Pacific, and National Mapping. These USGS offices work together to provide relevant, impartial, and high-quality scientific information to promote public safety and wise resource management.