RESEARCH PROJECTS
PI-CASC supports research that generates actionable climate science within several key focus areas defined by regional stakeholder needs.
Applying a novel spatial prioritization technique to support climate-resilient conservation planning in Maui Nui
PI: Lucas Fortini, Research Ecologist, USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Center
Co-Is: Christina Leopold, Conservation Ecologist, Hawaiʻi Cooperative Studies Unit, UH Hilo; Scott Fretz, DOFAW Maui Branch Manager, Hawaiʻi DLNR
Funded: FY2022
Co-Is: Christina Leopold, Conservation Ecologist, Hawaiʻi Cooperative Studies Unit, UH Hilo; Scott Fretz, DOFAW Maui Branch Manager, Hawaiʻi DLNR
Funded: FY2022
Using oral histories of Marshallese and Yapese voyaging to develop sustainable sea transport
PI: Joseph Genz, Associate Professor of Anthropology, UH Hilo
Graduate Scholars: Jerolynn Myazoe, Dept of Anthropology, UH Hilo; Shania Tamagyongfal, Dept of Anthropology, UH Hilo
Co-I: Alexander Mawyer, Associate Professor, Center for Pacific Island Studies, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Graduate Scholars: Jerolynn Myazoe, Dept of Anthropology, UH Hilo; Shania Tamagyongfal, Dept of Anthropology, UH Hilo
Co-I: Alexander Mawyer, Associate Professor, Center for Pacific Island Studies, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Improving tools to monitor bird abundance and detect mosquito invasion in Hakalau Forest
PI: Patrick Hart, Professor of Biology, UH Hilo
MCC Graduate Scholar: Josephine Tupu, TCBES, UH Hilo
Co-I: Donna Ball, Deputy Refuge Manager, Hakalau Forest NWR
Funded: FY2022
MCC Graduate Scholar: Josephine Tupu, TCBES, UH Hilo
Co-I: Donna Ball, Deputy Refuge Manager, Hakalau Forest NWR
Funded: FY2022
Developing a Pacific mangrove monitoring network (PACMAN) in response to sea-level rise
PI: Richard Mackenzie, Research Ecologist, USDA FS Pacific Southwest Research Station
Graduate Scholar: Maybeleen Apwong, TCBES, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2022
Graduate Scholar: Maybeleen Apwong, TCBES, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2022
Embedding climate impacts into routine decision-making by applying natural capital accounting
PI: Kirsten Oleson, Associate Professor of Ecological Economics, UH Mānoa
Graduate Scholar: Louis Chua Bing Chao, Dept of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Graduate Scholar: Louis Chua Bing Chao, Dept of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Developing a climate-resilient restoration approach combining functional, climate, and geographic data
PI: Rebecca Ostertag, Professor of Biology, UH Hilo
MCC Graduate Scholar: Konapiliahi Dancil, TCBES, UH Hilo
Co-I: Jonathan Price Professor of Geography, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2022
MCC Graduate Scholar: Konapiliahi Dancil, TCBES, UH Hilo
Co-I: Jonathan Price Professor of Geography, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2022
Resource habitat mapping and diet characterization of native and non-native mullet species in Heʻeia Fishpond
PI: Shimi Rii, Research Coordinator, Heʻeia NERR/HIMB, UH Mānoa
Graduate Scholar: Sheldon Rosa, Dept of Oceanography, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Graduate Scholar: Sheldon Rosa, Dept of Oceanography, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
2022 SURF Projects
Five students completed projects in climate adaptation science for the 2022 SURF program, investigating fire-prone invasive grasses, spillover effects of Marine Protected Areas, shifts in estuarine fish biodiversity, optimal regeneration conditions for koa, and effects of marine warming on different phytoplankton strains.
Genetic assessment of giant clam stocks in American Samoa
PI: Robert Toonen, Research Professor, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, UH Mānoa
Graduate Scholar: Paolo Marra-Biggs, Department of Marine Biology, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Graduate Scholar: Paolo Marra-Biggs, Department of Marine Biology, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Integrating social and cultural considerations into community-based monitoring
PI: Mehana Vaughan, Associate Professor, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Graduate Scholar: Kapono Gaughen, Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Co-I: Meghan Tait, Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Graduate Scholar: Kapono Gaughen, Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Co-I: Meghan Tait, Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022
Shifts in carbon exports from a Hawaiian watershed under a changing climate
PI: Tracy Wiegner, Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Graduate Scholar: Walter Boger, TCBES, UH Hilo
Co-PIs: Steven Colbert, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2022
Graduate Scholar: Walter Boger, TCBES, UH Hilo
Co-PIs: Steven Colbert, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2022
Predicting sea level rise impacts to coastal wastewater infrastructure and water quality
PI: Tracy Wiegner, Professor of Marine Sciences, UH Hilo
MCC Graduate Scholar: Ihilani Kamau, TCBES, UH Hilo
Co-Is: Steven Colbert, Associate Professor of Marine Sciences, UH Hilo; Ryan Perroy, Professor of Geography, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2022
MCC Graduate Scholar: Ihilani Kamau, TCBES, UH Hilo
Co-Is: Steven Colbert, Associate Professor of Marine Sciences, UH Hilo; Ryan Perroy, Professor of Geography, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2022
Prioritization planning for coastal wetland restoration on Molokaʻi
PI: Judith Drexler, Research Hydrologist, USGS California Water Science Center
Co-Is: James Jacobi, Biologist, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center; Curt Storlazzi, Research Geologist, USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Funded: FY2021
Co-Is: James Jacobi, Biologist, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center; Curt Storlazzi, Research Geologist, USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Funded: FY2021