Research Projects

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

Close-up of many fresh green sprouts against dark soil

Impacts of climate changes on a native and an invasive Hawaiian plant using a newly developed Intelligent Plant growing System (IPS)

PI: Camilo Mora, Assoc. Professor of Geography, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Devon DeBevoise, Department of Botany, UH Mānoa
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

Narrow strips and circles of land rise barely above sea level.

Characterizing inundation risk for Majuro Atoll

PI: Dean Gesch, Research Scientist, USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Co-PI: Jeff Danielson , Physical Geographer, USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Funded: FY2017

Wind-swept waves tumble towards a rocky shoreline.

Near-term climate projections to inform adaptation in the Hawaiian Islands

PI: Thomas Giambelluca, Professor of Geography, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Han Tseng, Department of Geography, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2017

Kilo Lani: Reconstructing historical climate patterns in Hawai‘i using traditional knowledge and dendrology

PI: Rosie Alegado, Assistant Researcher, Oceanography/Sea Grant Program, UH Mānoa
Collaborators: Axel Timmermann, Professor of Oceanography, UH Mānoa/IPRC; Puakea Nogelmeier, Professor, Kawaihu‘elani Center for Hawaiian Language
Funded: FY2016

Local children wade through calf-high dirty water, past flood accumulated trash and a flooded house.

Understanding the effect of climate change on the migration of Marshallese Islanders

PI: Maxine Burkett, Professor of Law, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2016

Impacts of climate change in loko i‘a (traditional Hawaiian fishponds) management I

PI: Steven Colbert, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Co-PI: Cherie Kauahi, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Collaborator: Noelani Punawai, Assistant Professor, Kamakakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2016

Several volunteers work on the rock pile bordering a stream of water leading from the fishpond.

Impacts of climate change in loko i‘a (traditional Hawaiian fishponds) management II

PI: Steven Colbert, Associate Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
Co-PI: Kamala Anthony, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Collaborator: Noelani Punawai, Assistant Professor, Kamakakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2016

A satellite image of the rectangular ring of Majuro Atoll in the midst of a blue sea.

Collecting elevation data to understand climate change effects in the Marshall Islands

PI: Jeffrey Danielson , Physical Geographer, USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS)
Co-Is: Monica Palaseanu-Lovejoy, Research Geographer, USGS Eastern Geographic Science Center; Cindy Thatcher, Research Biologist, Cooperative Data Acquisition, NGPO; Dean Gesch, Research Scientist, USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center; Matthew Barbee, Biologist, UH Mānoa; Romina King, Asst. Professor of Geography, University of Guam; Maria Kottermair, GIS specialist, University of Guam
Funded: FY2016

Ocean water floods over a lawn and into a house along a low shoreline.

Simulating and projecting future impacts of sea-level rise on Majuro Atoll

PI: Charles Fletcher, Professor of Earth Sciences, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2016

A large spreading tree with white trunks and branches fills the view.

Changes in water flow through Hawaiian forests due to invasive species and changing rainfall patterns

PI: Lucas Fortini, Research Ecologist, USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Center
Funded: FY2016

Underwater picture of a large rice coral outcrop

Mitigating climate change impacts: What drives thermal resiliency in Hawai‘i’s coral reefs

PI: Ruth Gates, Director of Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Shayle Matsuda, Department of Marine Biology, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2016

Empty desks face a blackboard in a classroom

Improving culturally relevant educational resources in lesson plans on climate science in Guam

PI: Romina King, Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Guam
Co-PI: Cassandra-Jay T. Flores-Hughes, School of Eduction/Geography Department, University of Guam
Collaborator: Suzanne Bells, Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Guam
Funded: FY2016