NEWS

The Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) is happy to welcome the new fellows across three consortium programs for the current school year. 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. 

Ajalyn Omelau

• Environmental Science master’s program, University of Guam
• Forester II, Cooperative Fire Protection Program Manager, Guam Department of Agriculture’s Forestry and Soil Resources Division

Omelau is focused on the development of drone-based forestry management plans. This innovative approach aims to enhance fire monitoring and resource management using advanced aerial technology. The drones will provide valuable data and insights, streamlining operations and improving decision-making processes.  

Through their work as both a professional and a student, Omelau is committed to advancing fire management practices and supporting Guam Forestry in overcoming staffing limitations. Their efforts will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of fire management programs, contributing to the sustainable stewardship of Guam’s unique landscapes. 

Quote: “Although I have not held my position as assistant cooperative fire protection program manager at Guam Forestry for very long, I have witnessed high intensity wildfires that burned hundreds of acres in Guam’s southern landscapes in the past fire season. With prolonged drought conditions coupled with increased hazardous fuels in the wildlands from Typhoon Mawar, Guam Forestry and other agencies need more research on wildland fires in Micronesia to create better wildland management strategies. I hope that I may collaborate with management and research professionals to address such needs in my thesis project. I also hope that the information that I gather will be used to develop Guam-specific wildfire prevention messaging that will be more relatable and effective for our local community.”

RoCelia Paulino 

• Environmental Science master’s program, University of Guam
• Research Associate I, Research Corporation of the University of Guam/US Geological Survey Brown Tree Snake Project

Paulino was born and raised on Guam and is of CHamoru descent. In her capacity as a biologist, she collects data from USGS brown tree snake project sites through nighttime visual surveys and assists in the USGS rapid response effort. She is passionate about the native flora and fauna of Guam, her culture, and her community, and aims to use her master’s degree and experiences to assist in the preservation, protection and growth of the island. 

Quote: “A climate change issue that is of most concern to me are storms. Storms affect the work and progress done as a natural resource manager. I experienced and witnessed the impact a typhoon causes to our environment. As many of our native flora and fauna area at risk or becoming extinct and are already endangered, they are incredibly sensitive to climate change. There was and is a long recovery road for Guam’s forests and it is noticeable that introduced species grow at a faster rate than our native ones. It is a major concern to me that our native species will disappear completely and I want to protect, preserve, and study what we can before that happens. I work mainly with the invasive brown tree snakes, and although exterminating them is a long road, it is possible to control them. I wish to, at most, control their spread from reaching other islands, and as well within Guam.”

Jessica Fernandez 

• Biology master’s program, University of Guam
• Marine Resource Specialist, Naval Facilities Systems Engineering Command Marianas 

As a marine resources specialist, Fernandez coordinates planning needs that are in line with federal environmental standards. Academically, she is being mentored by Dr. Brett Taylor, from the UOG Marine Laboratory, where she is investigating the effects of depth and fishing pressure on protogynous hemaphroditism in reef fish.

Quote: “The climate change issue of most concern to me is the challenge of sustaining and preserving marine life while supporting the infrastructure needed for island communities. As a natural resource specialist, this issue directly impacts my role in managing and conserving natural resources, particularly in Guam’s unique marine ecosystems. The health and diversity of marine life are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting the cultural and economic vitality of the island. However, climate change exacerbates threats such as habitat degradation, pollution, and other anthropogenic stressors, leading to a decline in marine populations. This decline not only affects the environment but also the infrastructure that local communities rely on, such as coastal protection and fisheries. My role involves implementing strategies to protect and restore marine habitats, such as mitigating anthropogenic stressors and promoting sustainable land-use practices that reduce runoff and pollution. By focusing on sustaining and preserving marine life while supporting essential infrastructure, I aim to ensure the long-term resilience of Guam’s natural resources, balancing environmental sustainability with the needs of the island’s communities.”

Manager Climate Corps (MCC)

The MCC program is a practitioner-driven graduate research program that accomplishes this mission through the process of knowledge co-production. Through this collaborative process we work to increasingly “get to know our neighbors” and unite natural and cultural resource stewards with researchers as co-leads in every stage of the research pathway, from the development of the research question, to the methods and analysis, and ultimate utilization of research output. Learn more on the MCC webpage.

Skyler Chong  

• Project Title: Back to the Future: Exploring the application of new tools in the kilo (study) of loko iʻa to support revitalization of indigenous aquaculture in the face of climate change. 
• UH Faculty Advisor: Dr. John Burns (Associate Professor of Marine Science) 
• Community Collaborator and Project Mentor: Luke Mead, Director of Kumuola Marine Science Education Center 

Quote: “Community resilience is a huge issue when thinking about how to address climate change and, for me, that includes the ecological communities of Hawaiʻi as well as our local, human communities, since both are inherently intertwined. On top of that, I believe many of the answers for how to live sustainably and properly steward the ecosystems of here already exist because kānaka maoli have been doing so for generations and continue to lead such efforts across Hawaiʻi today. Therefore, as someone born and raised in Hilo, my main role is that of an individual within the larger community of people seeking to care for Hawaiʻi, and my goal is to implement scientific research in a way that contributes to this kuleana. I will continue to hold these values as the foundation of my graduate work and hope to foster climate resiliency in the communities I call home.” 

Kaʻiniʻpuʻuwai Keliʻihoʻomalu-Holz 

• Project Title: Articulating Community Resilience and Climate Adaptation through ʻŌiwi Ancestral Knowledge in Kaimū, Hawaiʻi 
• UH Faculty Advisor: Kathryn Besio (Professor and Department Chair, Geography and Environmental Sciences) 
• Senior Personnel: Gina McGuire, U.S. Forest Service; Charles Langlas, Pili Productions; Noelani Puniwai, University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge 
• Names/Affiliations of Other Cooperators and Partners: Keala Keliihoomalu & Kyson Keliihoomalu, Community Representatives from Kaimū 

Quote: “The climate change issue that most concerns me is the rising sea levels and increased coastal erosion in Kaimū, Hawaiʻi. This not only threatens the physical landscape where I grew up but also endangers cultural and historical sites that are vital to ʻŌiwi identity and ancestral knowledge. As an aspiring scientist, I’m dedicated to documenting, preserving, and incorporating this ancestral knowledge into modern climate adaptation strategies. By understanding and conveying my community’s resilience through ʻŌiwi perspectives, we can take a more holistic approach to climate adaptation—one that is both scientifically rigorous and culturally meaningful. This will help ensure that this knowledge is passed on to future generations, guiding us toward better stewardship and management of our resources on the ʻāina that nourishes and sustains us.”

PI-CASC Graduate Scholars Program

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

Justin Kellum 

• Advisor: Noa Lincoln
• Title: Lauhala: Weaving knowledge and practices with a climate resilient and culturally significant plant on Hawaiʻi Island
• Hala Stewardship Initiative

Kellum is a graduate Geography / GIS student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the Geography and Environment Department.  

Quote: “A big climate concern for me is rising sea levels and its impact to local coastal communities around Hawaiʻi. As an aspiring scientist my goal is to research this phenomenon so that I can communicate the impact more effectively while also finding solutions to mitigate sea-level rise’s impact.”

Ryan Weiskopf 

• Advisor: Noa Lincoln
• Project: Historical Management of Hala Agroforestry and its Agricultural Uses

Weiskopf is a master’s student studying Tropical Plant and Soil Science with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR).

Quote: “Biodiversity loss is the most concerning issue to me. Hawaiʻi is the endangered species capital of the world. Mounting external pressures are threatening the health of entire ecosystems here if critical keystone species are lost. Ancestral crop varieties have halved in number over the previous centuries, each one possessing untapped potential to feed and provide medicine to us that may never be recovered. As an aspiring scientist, now is the time to act and preserve what remains so we can safeguard the future for the following generations.”