RESEARCH

RESEARCH PROJECTS

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

Lush vegetation surrounds a pond

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

PI: Steven Colbert, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo
MCC Graduate Scholar: Cherie Kauahi, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Co-I: 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
MCC Graduate Scholar: Kamala Anthony, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Co-I: 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
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
Graduate Scholar: 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
Undergraduate Scholar: 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
A family wades across a flooded road in Tumon, Guam

Developing resilience for small businesses affected by climate change

PI: Romina King, Professor of Geography, University of Guam
Graduate Scholar: Marcel Higgs, Micronesian Studies Department, University of Guam
Funded: FY2016
A large tree borders a view looking upslope across a dry grassy landscape.

Effects of drought on soil moisture and water resources in Hawaiʻi

PI: Alan Mair, Hydrologist, USGS Pacific Islands Water Science Center
Funded: FY2016
Aerial view of west Maui coastline

Evaluating the economic impacts of climate variability and change on Maui’s freshwater resources and ecosystem services

PI: Kirsten Oleson, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UH Mānoa
Co-I: Victoria Keener, PacRISA, East-West Center, UH Mānoa
Collaborator: Carlo Fezzi NREM, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2016
A pile of mulch sits in a green field

Albizia as a solution for climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture

PI: Rebecca Ostertag, Professor of Biology, UH Hilo
MCC Graduate Scholar: Joanna Norton, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Collaborators: Bruce Mathews, Professor of Soil Science, UH Hilo; Flint Hughes, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, US Forest Service
Funded: FY2016
An overhead view shows white surf crashing along a dark sandy coastline backed by green vegetation.

Estimating coastal erosion rates on Hawai‘i Island to inform setbacks

PI: Ryan L. Perroy, Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Science, UH Hilo
MCC Graduate Scholar: Rose Hart, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science, UH Hilo
Collaborators: Steven Colbert, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, UH Hilo; Charles Fletcher, Professor of Geology & Geophysics, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2016
Color-scaled map of Oahu indicating average temperatures

Predicting Hawaiʻi water demand under climate change

PI: Michael J. Roberts, Associate Professor of Economics, UH Mānoa
Graduate Scholar: Nathan DeMaagd, Department of Economics, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2016
Graphic showing where sewers versus on-site disposal systems are located

Assessing the vulnerability of coastal wastewater infrastructure to climate change

PI: Daniele Spirandelli, Asst. Professor of Coastal Policy & Community Development, UH Mānoa
Graduate Scholar: Theresa Dean, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, UH Mānoa
Collaborators: Roger Babcock, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UH Mānoa; Suwan Shen, Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2016