RESEARCH PROJECTS
PI-CASC supports research that generates actionable climate science within several key focus areas defined by regional stakeholder needs.
Machine learning approaches to improve projections of future climate in Hawai‘i
PI: Tom Giambelluca, Professor of Geography, UH Mānoa
Graduate Scholar: Yusuke Hatanaka, Department of Computer and Data Science, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
Graduate Scholar: Yusuke Hatanaka, Department of Computer and Data Science, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
Future of fire in the Pacific Islands: Towards a national synthesis for wildland fire under a changing climate
PI: Christian Giardina, Research Ecologist, Inst. of Pacific Islands Forestry, US Forest Service
Co-PI: Alyssa Anderson, Fire Post-doctoral Fellow, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
Co-PI: Alyssa Anderson, Fire Post-doctoral Fellow, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
Scaling up the Hawai‘i Drought Knowledge Exchange
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: FY2020
Co-PI: Abby Frazier, Research Fellow, East-West Center, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
2020 SURF Projects
Three students completed projects in climate adaptation science for the 2020 SURF program, investigating salinity tolerance in coastal plants, fire-plant interactions, and new techniques to improve reforestation efforts.
Malo‘o ka lani, wela ka honua (When the sky is dry, the earth is parched)
PI: Christian Giardina, Research Ecologist, Inst. of Pacific Islands Forestry, US Forest Service
Co-PI: Katie Kamelamela, Postdoctoral Researcher, Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests
Funded: FY2020
Co-PI: Katie Kamelamela, Postdoctoral Researcher, Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests
Funded: FY2020
Understanding nutrient transport through streamflow and fish populations
PI: Tim Grabowski, Research Fish Biologist, Cooperative Fisheries Unit, USGS
Funded: FY2020
Funded: FY2020
Biochar as a mitigation tool for soil rehabilitation in Guam’s badlands and savannah grasslands
PI: Mohammad Golabi, Professor of Soil Science, University of Guam
CARM Graduate Scholar: Patrick Keeler, Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Guam
Funded: FY2020
CARM Graduate Scholar: Patrick Keeler, Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Guam
Funded: FY2020
How will changing reefscapes affect the prevalence of ciguatera on Hawaiian reefs?
PI: Tim Grabowski, Fish Biologist, Hawai‘i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, USGS/Adjunct Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
MCC Graduate Scholar: Nikola Rodriguez, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2020
MCC Graduate Scholar: Nikola Rodriguez, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2020
Development of an early warning system for climate-change related invasion by mosquitoes into Hakalau Forest NWR
PI: Patrick Hart, Professor of Biology, UH Hilo
MCC Graduate Scholar: Stephanie Mladinich, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2020
MCC Graduate Scholar: Stephanie Mladinich, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2020
Comparing arbuscular mycorrhizal diversity among different life stages of Intsia bijuga (Colebr.) Kuntze in Guam’s Limestone Forests
PI: Alexander Kerr, Professor of Marine Biology, University of Guam
CARM Graduate Scholar: Charles "CJ" Paulino, Environmental Science, University of Guam
Funded: FY2020
CARM Graduate Scholar: Charles "CJ" Paulino, Environmental Science, University of Guam
Funded: FY2020
Creating an inclusive visitor services plan for the Guam national wildlife refuge
PI: Romina King , Associate Professor of Geography, University of Guam
CARM Graduate Scholar: Marybelle Quinata , Micronesian Studies Department, University of Guam
Funded: FY2020
CARM Graduate Scholar: Marybelle Quinata , Micronesian Studies Department, University of Guam
Funded: FY2020
Using cutting-edge technology to assess coral reef bleaching and recovery in Guam and CNMI
PI: Romina King, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Guam
Co-PI: Ved Chirayath, Research Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center
Funded: FY2020
Co-PI: Ved Chirayath, Research Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center
Funded: FY2020
Analyzing future precipitation extremes for resource management planning
PI: Rick Lader, Research Associate, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Co-Is: Abby Frazier, Assistant Professor of Geography, Clark University; Thomas Giambelluca, Professor of Geography, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
Co-Is: Abby Frazier, Assistant Professor of Geography, Clark University; Thomas Giambelluca, Professor of Geography, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
Identifying locations for coral reef climate resilience
PI: Monica Moritsch, Research Ecologist, USGS Western Geographic Science Center
Funded: FY2020
Funded: FY2020
How ridge-to-reef governance in Palau can enhance coastal food security
PI: Kirsten Oleson, Associate Professor of Ecological Economics, UH Mānoa
Graduate Scholar: Michelle Harangody, Department of Geography and Environment, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020
Graduate Scholar: Michelle Harangody, Department of Geography and Environment, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2020