2024 PI-CASC Graduate Scholars Symposium:
Emerging scientists for climate adaptation
March 28th, 2024 HST
(March 29th, 2024 Western Pacific)
Location: Imin Conference Center (Keoni Auditorium, East-West Center)
Part of Climate Week
Hawaiʻi Climate Week, March 25th-28th, 2024, at the Imin Conference Center, East-West Center will be full of events centered on climate change in Hawaiʻi, hosted by a suite of local organizations concerned with changing climate conditions in the islands, including the Hawaiʻi State Climate Commission, the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC), the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), Pacific RISA, the USDA Southwest Climate Hub, and the East-West Center.
The Climate Commission’s annual conference (webpage) highlights the climate change initiatives of the State of Hawaiʻi and its many partners, and strategically identifies what actions we must collectively pursue to mitigate the potentially catastrophic effects of global warming.
This year, on Thursday, March 28th, at 9:00 – 11:00 am (HST), we are hosting the PI-CASC Graduate Scholars Symposium focused on emerging scientists working towards climate adaptation. These graduate students will present their science-to-management research in topics as diverse as forest restoration, coral reef health, sea-level rise impacts and planning tools, and supporting development of sustainable sea transport.
A recording of the event was made from the live-stream and can be found at the Hawai’i Climate Commission YouTube channel, Climate Coordinator, reached by following the button below. The PI-CASC Graduate Scholars Symposium is in the first half of the recording. Chapter markings to jump to specific talks can be found by opening up the “more” information on the YouTube page. Alternatively, you can follow the links in the agenda below.
Intended participants
These projects all emphasize the importance of science for improved management, an element PI-CASC strives to incorporate in all our projects, even graduate student and early career efforts. This event is intended for researchers, resource managers, officials, practitioners, and other science-users working on climate change impacts and adaptation for ecosystems and communities in Hawaiʻi and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands. We strongly encourage in-person participation on campus, but for those too far away, it will be live-streamed on YouTube.
Agenda Highlights (in HST)
9:00 am Welcome
Introduction by PI-CASC Assistant Regional Administrator, Heather Kerkering
9:10 – 9:55 am Session 1
Predicting sea-level rise impacts to coastal wastewater infrastructure and water quality
Ihilani Kamau, TCBES, UH Hilo
The impact of vertical land motion on sea-level rise timeline in American Samoa
Carla Baizeau, Oceanography, UH Mānoa
From seabirds to sewage: Investigating nutrient effects on coral bleaching
Jessica Glazner, HIMB, UH Mānoa
9:55 – 10:05 am Break
10:05 – 10:55 am Session 2
Using oral histories of Marshallese and Yapese voyaging to support the development of community engagement for sustainable sea transport
Jerolynn Myazoe and Shania Tamagyongfal, Anthropology, UH Hilo
What to plant where? Using species distribution modeling to select restoration species in Hawaiʻi’s lowland wet forests
Konapiliahi Dancil, TCBES, UH Hilo
Forest restoration techniques in a subalpine forest on Hawaiʻi Island, Kanakaleonui, Mauna Kea
Amberly Pigao, TCBES, UH Hilo
10:55 am Closing remarks
PI-CASC University Consortium Director, Dr. Darren T. Lerner
2024 Hawaiʻi Climate Week (at a glance)
Monday, March 25
Evening movie screening of the documentary Keeper of the Bay at WaiWai Collective
Wednesday, March 27
Conference Day 1
Fifth National Climate Assessment Rollout
Launch of the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan
Thursday, March 28
Conference Day 2
PI-CASC Graduate Scholars Symposium: Emerging scientists for climate adaptation
Youth Networking Event
Agroforestry and Climate Resilience: Challenges and Opportunities