Final answer:
Phytoremediation involves using plants to clean toxic water, which is exemplified by the use of sand to limit the growth of invasive Caulerpa webbiana on Faial Island. This method could be applied to the Ala Wai Canal as a means of improving water quality and preserving biodiversity while continuously adjusting efforts based on ecological feedback.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phytoremediation is an innovative approach to mitigate water pollution by utilizing plants to cleanse toxic water. Specifically, in the Ala Wai Canal in Waikīkī, using plants to cleanse the water would involve introducing water-adapted plants that can absorb and neutralize pollutants like heavy metals and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause eutrophication in water bodies.
One example of phytoremediation in action was the use of sand to cover Caulerpa webbiana on Faial Island, which significantly reduced the local population of this invasive alga. The success of this program suggests that a similar approach could be used in the Ala Wai Canal to help in the preservation of local biodiversity and prevent the expansion of harmful algal blooms, which are a result of excess nutrients in the water.
Continued monitoring and adjustments would be essential, as seen in the eradication efforts on Faial Island, which required evaluation of the effects of eradication methods on the local ecosystem. The balance between removing the contaminants and preserving the ecological succession of biotopes should be maintained to ensure a successful outcome.