NEWS

The Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) is happy to welcome the new fellows to consortium programs. These students, who are pursuing different tracks at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, and the University of Guam, are unified in PI-CASC’s overall goal to support and produce research in climate adaptation and sustainability across the Pacific Islands.

Climate Adaptation for Resource Management (CARM)

PI-CASC’s Climate Adaptation for Resource Management (CARM) program is a co-production fellowship and continuing education opportunity for natural resource managers and professionals in Guam to bolster their professional capacity through higher learning in academia. For more information, visit the CARM webpage. 

Juliette Fujihira

Degree program: MSc, Environmental Science, University of Guam

Advisor: Dr. Yuming Wen

The environmental issue important to me is…“Growing up, my family and I enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking, fishing and snorkeling. I found excitement in discovering new animals, plants and scenery. However, as time progressed, I noticed a decrease in the vibrancy and quantity of Guam’s wildlife. I became familiar with several causes of this decline as I advanced in my career at the Guam Environmental Protection Agency. Activities like off-roading, hunting or crop clearing contribute to soil erosion, which greatly affects the land and surrounding bodies of water. As sediment flows into neighboring water, impurities follow. Thus, tarnishing Guam’s natural resources. Implementing sustainable practices while monitoring the concentration of contaminants in Guam’s water will not only allow for protection of public health, but preservation of Guam’s beauty.”

 

Melanie Mendiola

Degree program: MSc, Environmental Science, University of Guam

Advisor: Dr. Romina King

The environmental issue important to me is…“Being employed at the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, I’ve had the opportunity to understand the air, land, and water divisions and the environmental issues they address. The one I am most concerned about is the protection of Guam’s wetlands. Wetlands provide a beneficial ecosystem for many of our species and anthropogenic activities are one of several threats the wetlands are facing. Having the tools to monitor them would be the first step to protecting these natural habitats.”

 

PI-CASC Graduate Scholars Program

The PI-CASC Graduate Scholars Program provides graduate students with invaluable experience to prepare them for future careers in research, resource management, and policy. Learn more on the Graduate Scholars webpage.

Sebastian Church

Degree program: PhD, Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Advisor: Leah Bremer

Project: Building resilient coastal forests through enhancing biocultural research and career pathways

The environmental issue important to me is… “Food sovereignty. ʻĀina momona. Any environmental or social ill in Hawaiʻi, from pollution and climate change to occupation and desecration, restoring ʻāina momona probably touches it and heals it. ʻFood is medicineʻ can be mistaken to mean consumption is health. It’s the relationship with the food that’s the medicine. Sovereignty, ea, the authority of kānaka to live in a reciprocal relationship with ʻāina, that’s the medicine.”

 

Yusuke Hatanaka

Degree program: PhD, Computer Science, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Advisor: Peter Sadowski

Project: Machine learning for high-resolution downscaling in the Hawaiian Islands

The environmental issue important to me is…“Improving the accuracy of precipitation patterns is one of the most important local issues to me. In Hawaiʻi, rainfall shapes the ecosystem, culture, freshwater supply, and many other defining features of the islands. However, analyzing rainfall patterns in both temporal and spatial domains still remains challenging. My research involves improving spatial interpolation and future rainfall projection for Hawai`i using machine learning to refine global climate model outputs. I believe the recent advances in machine learning leave much room for exploration to improve prediction of weather and climate variables, and I aspire to play a role in advancing the research for Hawaiʻi.”

 

Raffi Isah

Degree program: PhD, Oceanography, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Advisor: Andrea Kealoha

Project: Assessing the sensitivity of coral reef accretion and bioerosion to acidification and eutrophication

The environmental issue important to me is…“I grew up in the Philippines, an island nation teeming with natural resources. As a marine scientist, I have witnessed the beauty of coral reefs, seagrass, and mangrove forests, but at the same time, their alarming rate of deterioration and lack of protection. I believe that raising awareness and fostering appreciation for the natural environment is crucial to understanding the significance of our resources and the urgent need to protect them. This requires the engagement of individuals, the local community, and ultimately the government. In this era of climate change, our country faces increased risks from natural events like intensified cyclones, flooding, and sea-level rise. Natural resources, for instance mangroves acting as natural barriers to storm surges, play a crucial role in reducing vulnerability. With the proper foundation for protecting our natural resources and building capacities, we will be more prepared to face these challenges.”

 

Tehina Kahikina

Degree program: MA, Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Advisor: Nina Rønsted

Project: Community value-based management of coastal Pandanus forests to mitigate the effects of climate change in Hawaiʻi

The environmental issue important to me is…“Local environmental issues that are important to me include the ongoing degradation of our forests and the erosion of the sacred, deep relationships between ʻāina (land) and kānaka (people). Cultural practitioners are struggling to find once-abundant resources as the landscape changes, impacted by urbanization, deforestation, invasive species, and the growing pressures of climate change. I hope to help reconnect these relationships by resurfacing ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge) and amplifying the voices of those who continue to engage with ʻāina through our cultural practices.”

 

Makoa Pascoe

Degree program: MS, Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Advisor: Haunani Kane

Project: Evaluating the resilience of productive rocky intertidal ecosystems to sea-level rise using a community-based approach

The environmental issue important to me is…“Sea level rise is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing Hawai‘i’s coastline as it reshapes our shores and threatens coastal ecosystems and communities that depend on them. As sea levels rise, waves push further inland, causing beach erosion, flooding of low-lying areas, and can even alter rocky intertidal habitats. These changes don’t just affect the environment but also challenge coastal communities and the resilience of marine life. My research focuses on understanding how these ecosystems are changing and exploring ways to adapt and preserve them. By studying these impacts, we can develop better strategies to safeguard Hawai‘i’s coastal ecosystems for generations to come.”

 

Sean Swift

Degree program: PhD, Marine Biology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Advisor: Andrea Kealoha

Project: Effects of climate-driven increases in sediment delivery on coral reef ecosystem productivity and accretion: Developing predictive models for management priorities across Maui

The environmental issue important to me is…“Sea level rise is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing Hawai‘i’s coastline as it reshapes our shores and threatens coastal ecosystems and communities that depend on them. As sea levels rise, waves push further inland, causing beach erosion, flooding of low-lying areas, and can even alter rocky intertidal habitats. These changes don’t just affect the environment but also challenge coastal communities and the resilience of marine life. My research focuses on understanding how these ecosystems are changing and exploring ways to adapt and preserve them. By studying these impacts, we can develop better strategies to safeguard Hawai‘i’s coastal ecosystems for generations to come.”