Research Projects

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

A lush tropical forest of a variety of trees fills the field of view

A functional trait approach to design and implement resilient landscapes in Guam

PI: Susan Cordell, Research Ecologist, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, USFS
Co-Is: Amanda Uowolo, U.S. Forest Service; Rebecca Ostertag, UH Hilo; Ruddy Estoy, Guam Dept. of Agriculture; Christine Fejeran, Guam Dept. of Agriculture; Romina King, Guam PI-CASC
Funded: FY2024

Climate change impacts on migratory birds connecting Indigenous Pacific Island and Alaskan communities

PI: Judith Drexler, Research Hydrologist, USGS California Water Science Center
Co-Is: Helen Raine, Pacific Bird Habitat Joint Venture; Laura Farwell, PBHJV; Pūlama Lima, Ka Ipu Makani; Nahulu Maioho, Ka Ipu Makani; Willow Hetrick-Price, Chugach Regional Resources Commission
Funded: FY2024

Looking up a broad Hawaiian valley, the foreground shows a bay with an inlet to a medium-sized estuary that disappears into a lush forested valley floor; small waterfalls are visible at the back of the valley in the distance

Landscape prioritization for climate-resilient conservation of over 400 T&E species 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; Chad Wilhite, Quantitative Spatial/Research Analyst, HCSU, UH Hilo
Funded: FY2024

An oblique aerial view of a narrow rocky coastline giving way to steep, layered cliffs defining a broad bay

Transforming community climate adaptation through Indigenous place-based connection

PI: Steven Johnson, Assistant Professor of Natural Resources, Cornell University
Co-Is: Aric Arakaki, National Park Service; Joseph Genz, UH Hilo; Scott Laursen, PI-CASC; Shane Akoni Nelsen, Kealakekua ‘Ohana Advisory Council; Tanya Souza, National Park Service
Funded: FY2024

A small yellow bird perches on green leaves.

Development of new technologies and techniques to advance wildlife monitoring and improve management of endangered Hawaiian bird species in a changing climate

PI: Patrick Hart, Professor of Biology, UH Hilo
Co-Is: Amanda Navine, TCBES, UH Hilo; Ann Tanimoto-Johnson, TCBES, UH Hilo; Bret Mossman, Hawaiʻi Island Avian Technician, DOFAW
Funded: FY2023

A school of small fish churn the surface waters of a greenish pool of water

Impacts of climate change on water quality and fish recruitment in Native Hawaiian fishponds

PI: Cherie Kauahi, Aquaculture Specialist, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant
Co-Is: Kamala Anthony, Hui Hoʻoleimaluō; Bradley Fox, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant; Darren Okimoto, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant; Anne Rosa, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant
Funded: FY2023

A palm tree stands in the foreground against a backdrop of green pali mountains shrouded in clouds

Improving the availability and accessibility of climate data and information for users in Hawaiʻi, American Samoa, and Guam

PI: Ryan Longman, Assoc. Climatologist, Water Resources Research Center
Co-Is: Abby Frazier, Asst. Professor, Clark University; Christian Giardina, Research Ecologist, USDA Forest Service; Tammy Tabe, Research Fellow, East-West Center
Funded: FY2023

A large black-armored beetle with a prominent horn and rust-colored fuzzy legs stands on a gloved hand

Advancing the Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change network

PI: Elliott Parsons, Pacific RISCC Specialist, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2023

A landscape view up rolling ridges covered in trees and bushes of many shades, shapes, and species, with blue sky and white puffy clouds overhead.

Climate smart restoration: Establishing baselines and developing adaptive management approaches

PI: Michala Phillips, Research Ecologist, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystem Research Center
Co-Is: Corie Yanger, Botanical Research Technician, USGS PIERC; Aurora Kagawa-Viviani, Asst. Professor of Geography, WRRC, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2023

Four students wearing lei pose by PI-CASC banner

2023 SURF Projects

Four students completed projects in climate adaptation science for the 2023 SURF program, investigating how forests vegetation shifts in response to climate change, the connection between climate and humpback whale health, whether added nutrients can improve coral thermal resilience, and sea-level rise impacts to community infrastructure.

Close up of two delicate 6-petalled white flowers against dark green leaves; a black round seedpod is visible to the left.

Assessing the success and vulnerability of Hawaiian rare plant introductions to inform future stabilization efforts

PI: Tamara Ticktin, Professor of Botany, UH Mānoa
Co-Is: Clay Trauernicht, Associate Specialist, UH Mānoa; Tim Chambers, Center for Plant Conservation Officer, ANRPO; Lucas Fortini, Research Ecologist, PIERC, USGS; Julia Douglas, School of Life Sciences, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2023

A variety of plants from grasses to tall trees cluster together in an open space

Enhancing social-ecological resilience through restoration of coastal agroforestry systems

PI: Leah Bremer, Assistant Specialist and Conservation Scientist, UH Mānoa
Co-PI: Tressa Hoppe, Botany Department, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022

Healthy, colorful corals on diplay with butterfly fish swimming around them, reflected in the underside of the shallow water’s surface

Unlocking reef resilience drivers to inform Pacific coral reef management

PI: Megan Donahue, Marine Researcher, HIMB, UH Mānoa
Co-PIs: Jessica Glazner, Dept of Marine Biology, UH Mānoa; Chad Wiggins, Palmyra Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
Funded: FY2022

Three wading birds perch on a small islet amidst a wetlands area

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

A crew of six in life vests steer a colorful double-hulled sailing canoe on deep blue ocean waters

Using oral histories of Marshallese and Yapese voyaging to develop sustainable sea transport

PI: Joseph Genz, Associate Professor of Anthropology, UH Hilo
Co-PIs: Jerolynn Myazoe, Dept of Anthropology, UH Hilo; Shania Tamagyongfal, Dept of Anthropology, UH Hilo; Alexander Mawyer, Associate Professor, Center for Pacific Island Studies, UH Mānoa
Funded: FY2022