Research Projects

PI-CASC supports research that generates actionable climate science within several key focus areas defined by regional stakeholder needs.

A narrow stream runs between vegetation covered banks

Impacts of extreme events on native and nonnative Hawaiian aquatic species

PI: Yinphan Tsang, Associate Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Co-Is: Abigail Lynch, Climate Adaptation Science Centers; Timothy Grabowski, Hawaiʻi Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Funded: FY2020

A group of college students on the shore all look to one holding a water sample.

Develop, coordinate, and build capacity for educational and community outreach opportunities for PI-CASC

PI: Sheree Watson, Program Director, USGS Office of Science Quality & Integrity
Funded: FY2020

Predicting the Effects of Climate Change on the Spread of Fire-Promoting Plants in Hawai‘i

PI: Curt Daehler, Professor of Botany, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Lucas Fortini, Research Ecologist, USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Center; Clay Trauernicht Associate Fire Specialist, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2019

Climate change, variability, and drought in the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands

PI: Abby Frazier, Research Fellow, East-West Center, UH Mānoa
Co-I: Christian Giardina, Research Ecologist, Inst. of Pacific Islands Forestry, US Forest Service; Susan Cordell, Research Ecologist, USDA Forest Service; Clay Trauernicht, Associate Fire Specialist, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2019

A hiker steps off a boradwalk snaking through a swampy area

Assessing mosquito populations in Kauaʻi to help limit the spread of avian disease and inform the conservation of Hawaiian forest birds

PI: Dennis LaPointe, Research Ecologist, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
Funded: FY2019

Two men stand amidst elevated root systems of mangrove trees, watching another installing an instrument.

The future resiliency of mangrove forests to sea-level rise in the Western Pacific

PI: Karen Thorne, Research Ecologist, USGS Western Ecological Research Center
Co-PI: Richard MacKenzie, Research Ecologist, US Forest Service
Funded: FY2019

Three students stand on shoreline, one holding a water sample bottle

Water Quality in the face of Climate Change: Establishing a baseline in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

PI: Tracy Wiegner, Assoc. Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Co-I: Bryan Tonga, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2019

A large pond is surrounded by lush greenery

Science needs assessment to support management of loko i‘a resources

PI: Rosie Alegado, Assistant Professor, Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, UH Mānoa
Co-I: Brenda Asuncion , Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA); Scott Laursen, UH Hilo; Katy Hintzen, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program; Miwa Tamanaha, Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA)
Funded: FY2018

Man lays a small fish along a ruler, with more fish in a tray nearby.

E Hui Pū: a collaborative approach to understand climate change impacts on traditional Hawaiian ‘ōpelu…

PI: John Burns, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Co-Is: Tim Grabowski, Research Fish Biologist, Hawai‘i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, USGS/Adjunct Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo; Courtney Hurt, Consultant, Conservation International
Funded: FY2018

Aerial view of one section of beach and near offshore, with numbers superimposed showing depths along traverses perpendicular to the coastline

A next generation beach observing system for Hawai‘i

PI: Charles Fletcher, Professor of Earth Sciences, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Anna Mikkelson, Department of Earth Sciences, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2018

A brown landscape is dotted with dead tree trunks.

Working with natural resource managers to co-produce drought analyses in Hawaiʻi

PI: Christian Giardina, Research Ecologist, Inst. of Pacific Islands Forestry, US Forest Service
Co-PI: Abby Frazier, Research Fellow, East-West Center, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2018

Large horned mammals run across the field of view, backed by Hawaiian forest plants.

Managing non-native game mammals to reduce future conflicts with native plant conservation in Hawaiʻi

PI: Steve Hess, Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Center
Funded: FY2018

Student controls a drone that has lifted off from an orange landing spot in a scrubby landscape.

Developing geospatial models in Hawaiian watersheds to mitigate erosion and climate change

PI: Ryan Perroy, Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies (TCBES), UH Hilo
Co-PIs: Kimo Melcher, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo; Rebecca Ostertag, Professor of Biology (TCBES), UH Hilo
Funded: FY2018

Map of Waimea area with superimposed color illustrating flooded areas at 3.2 feet of sea level rise

Integrating climate science with local knowledge through community vulnerability assessment on Kaua‘i

PI: Daniele Spirandelli, Asst. Professor of Urban Design and Planning, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Alisha Summers, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2018

A small historical hut backed by palms sits on a rocky headland with waves in the foreground.

Supporting sea-level rise preparedness in Hawaiian National Parks

PI: Philip Thompson, Assoc. Director of UH Sea Level center, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2018