A $2-million gift from Jeff Bezos and Lauren S谩nchez Bezos is supporting University of Hawaiʻi-led research aimed at restoring fire-prone grasslands on Maui and reducing the risk of future wildfires, building on and long-term recovery following the devastating 2023 fires.

Much of Maui鈥檚 former sugar plantation lands are now unmanaged and dominated by invasive species, such as guinea grass, that create more fire-prone vegetation and intensify wildfire risk. Several 东精影业 units are collaborating to address that vulnerability through land stewardship research designed to inform policy and guide on-the-ground management decisions.

The effort brings together researchers from the (东精影业ERO) housed in 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 , the , and the Ecosystems and Land Care Program in the Department of (NREM) in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. The work will be conducted with watershed partners, ranchers and ʻ膩ina (land)-based organizations across Hawaiʻi.

“Insufficient investment in land care across former plantation lands has left large areas of Maui vulnerable to wildfire,” said Kimberly Burnett, a specialist with 东精影业ERO. “This work builds on evidence that actively managed lands, including forests, well-managed rangelands and agriculture, can significantly reduce fuel loads and support outcomes like erosion reduction, food production, biodiversity and community resilience.”

Data-driven strategies for wildfire prevention

In the early stages of the project, researchers will work closely with partners to co-develop research questions and products that are directly useful for land managers and decision-makers. Anticipated outcomes include statewide wildfire risk and probability maps to help guide fire reduction strategies across a range of land uses, as well as analyses of different wildfire mitigation scenarios over space and time.

Those scenarios may include forest restoration, green breaks, agroforestry, grazing and mowing, with researchers assessing the benefits and costs of each approach.

“We want to look at options beyond just mowing brush given how well these different actions align with other things people value and contribute to public safety,” said Clay Trauernicht, a specialist with NREM.

The project will also examine policy and market-based tools that could help finance and support land-use transitions that advance multiple ecosystem services, including wildfire risk reduction, across Hawaiʻi.

The gift builds on existing support from the Bezos Maui Fund to restore the island鈥檚 watersheds and reduce wildfire risk, and reflects a broader strategy that links environmental recovery with community resilience. That land-based work is complemented by a separate $1.5-million investment to support Lahainaluna High School graduates enrolled at 东精影业 who continue to face economic hardship following the fires.

“We are profoundly grateful to our donors for their continued commitment to Maui,” said 东精影业 Foundation CEO and Vice President of Advancement Tim Dolan. “Their support is making a lasting difference for the people and places that define this community.”

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduate student Koa Grabar has been named a recipient of the (GSPA). The award, sponsored by the Ecological Society of America, honors graduate students who demonstrate a strong interest in the intersection of biological sciences and public policy.

Farm to conservation

Grabar鈥檚 journey into the world of natural resources began in Hilo. Surrounded by chickens and the unique biodiversity of Hawaiʻi Island, his upbringing sparked a lifelong fascination with 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 bird populations.

“Growing up on a farm and hiking a lot in Volcano and seeing all the forest birds really [sparked] my interest in this kind of stuff,” Grabar said. This interest eventually led him to pursue studies at the 鈥檚 Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, where he focused his research on the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife.

Grabar鈥檚 current research investigates human—wildlife interactions, specifically focusing on how endangered waterbirds adapt to different wetland settings. His work helps wetland managers understand how human presence affects these sensitive species.

Advocating for research resources

As a GSPA winner, Grabar will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in policy training and meet with congressional staff on Capitol Hill. The award focuses on lobbying for research funding in biology and ecology, advocating for the resources necessary to sustain vital research in Hawaiʻi and across the nation.

He expects to graduate in May 2026 and then take a private sector job in environmental land planning. However, his long-term goal remains rooted in the field that raised him: wildlife conservation and wetland protection. For students who are still finding their way, Grabar offers a simple piece of advice.

“Reflecting on what your interests are and what you care about is the most important thing,” he said.

Challenging a 50-year-old narrative about Hawaiʻi鈥檚 native birds, a new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 found no scientific evidence that Indigenous People hunted waterbird species to extinction. , the research debunks this long-held myth and offers a new, integrated theory to explain the disappearances.

Researchers found no evidence that Indigenous People over-hunted birds to extinction. Instead, the authors suggest a new theory: the birds died out because of a combination of climate change, invasive species and changes in how the land was used—most of which happened either prior to Polynesian arrival, or after the suppression of Indigenous stewardship. The study also noted that now-endangered waterbirds were probably most abundant just before Europeans arrived, when wetland management was a core aspect of K膩naka ʻ艑颈飞颈 (Native Hawaiian) society.

Refuting conservation theories

“So much of science is biased by the notion that humans are inevitable agents of ecocide, and we destroy nature wherever we go. This idea has shaped the dominant narrative in conservation, which automatically places the blame for extinctions on the first people—the Indigenous People—of a place. Even where there is zero scientific evidence to support it, the myth of Hawaiians hunting birds to extinctions took root in Hawaiʻi and for decades has been taught as if it was a scientific fact,” said Kawika Winter, associate professor at (HIMB) and co-author of the paper. “Our study not only dispels this myth, but also contributes to a growing body of evidence that Indigenous stewardship represents the best ways for native birds to thrive in a world where humans are not going away.”

This study re-examines existing evidence without the bias that the discipline has increasingly been criticized for—the idea that people are separate from and inherently bad for nature. The research provides a more nuanced understanding of history, paving the way for an increasingly robust approach to conservation research.

“Science has matured to a point where graduate students are being trained to challenge its own long-standing world view,” said Kristen Harmon, lead author on the paper who recently earned a PhD from the (CTAHR) Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management. “Our interpretation of historical ecology, how ecological systems change over time, influences our approaches to solving global-scale ecological problems. Bringing together information from different disciplines and knowledge systems can yield a more accurate picture of reality, which is ultimately the goal of every scientist.”

Empowering Indigenous stewardship

The study鈥檚 conclusions are expected to help transform conservation actions in Hawaiʻi, particularly for the recovery of endangered waterbird populations, such as ʻalae ʻula (Gallinula chloropus) and ʻaeʻo (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni).

“Recent studies support what Hawaiians have always known—that restoration of loʻi (wetland agro-ecosystems) is critically important to bring these waterbirds into abundance again,” said Melissa Price, an associate professor who runs the Wildlife Ecology Lab at CTAHR. “If we wish to transform our islands from the ‘Extinction Capital of the World’ into the ‘Recovery Capital of the World’ we need to restore relationships between nature and communities.”

This new understanding could help change how we protect these birds and mend long-standing disagreements in the community.

Ulalia Woodside Lee, who was not a part of this research project, offered some reflections as the Hawaiʻi and Palmyra Executive Director for The Nature Conservancy, “For generations, Native Hawaiians have been criticized for causing the extinctions of our precious native birds. This has contributed to a breakdown in trust between the Hawaiian community and conservationists, and the exclusion of Native Hawaiians from important conservation decisions. This study will help us to move past those untruths, so that we can all move together into a brighter future where our native species are thriving again.”

Four postgraduate fellows from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa were selected to work directly with Hawaiʻi-based organizations through the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) E. Gordon Grau Coastal and Marine Resource Management and Policy Fellowship Program (Grau Fellowship).

“We’re thrilled to mark the sixth year of the Grau Fellowship, which has grown to include 18 Grau Fellows in this newest cohort,” said Maya Walton, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant assistant director for research and fellowships. “The host offices, dedicated mentors, and Hawaiʻi Sea Grant staff and faculty are all collaborating to provide the practical training and experience necessary to prepare the next generation of professionals working at the interface of science, policy and resource management.”

Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)

Olivia Boucher will focus on DAR鈥檚 Holomua Marine Initiative, building and expanding on the work of past fellows who designed island-based management strategies and community-based monitoring plans for this initiative. Boucher will focus her efforts on community engagement, policy research, and cross-sector collaboration that will help bridge science, the public and decision-making. Boucher holds a master of environmental management from 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 (NREM).

Department of Land and Natural Resources Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands

Leigh Engel will be supporting the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands in managing and protecting Hawaiʻi鈥檚 shoreline resources. She will be implementing place-based approaches that mirror natural systems to address coastal erosion and hazard mitigation, while advancing long-term goals of conserving beaches, dunes, estuaries and other vital ecosystems. Engel earned a master of science in NREM from 东精影业 Mānoa, where she was also a Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center Scholar.

City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resilience

Maddy McKenna will be working with the Coastal and Water Program team to implement the city鈥檚 adaptation strategy, honoring both Western science and Indigenous ecological knowledge in developing people-centered solutions for Oʻahu鈥檚 threatened coastlines. McKenna earned a master of arts in climate and society from Columbia University, and a PhD in from 东精影业 Mānoa.

Matt Miller will work on cutting-edge climate mitigation strategies such as managed retreat and to support and enhance the city鈥檚 partnerships with community-based organizations. His goal is to use his experience researching severe and shifting weather in the tropics to help build a resilient Oʻahu through planning and outreach measures. Miller earned a master of science in atmospheric science from 东精影业 Mānoa.

The paid fellowship, named in honor of Emeritus Professor E. Gordon Grau, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant鈥檚 visionary former director, provides early career professionals the opportunity to obtain relevant resource management and policy experience in Hawaiʻi and, for many, to pursue career opportunities in their home state.

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–By Cindy Knapman

A cutting-edge marine platform designed to revolutionize coral reef monitoring and mapping called ReefVision Robotics was field tested in Kāneʻohe Bay by University of Hawaiʻi researchers.

The successful trial, conducted at the (HIMB) in September, represents a step toward a more scalable and highly accurate method for monitoring and mapping coral reefs. The project鈥檚 initial targets are invasive macroalgae species and marine debris but the technology can be used to detect many coral reef organisms. This test served as one of several trial runs before the technology is deployed in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in summer 2026.

“The integration of these technologies represents a significant step forward in our ability to manage and respond to invasive species threats facing our Hawaiian coral reefs,” said Keolohilani “Keo” Lopes, Jr., the project lead. The research is part of his PhD dissertation in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management within the 东精影业 Mānoa .

The platform integrates three leading-edge detection methods on a suite of unmanned marine systems—two operating on the surface and one submersible—to provide a comprehensive picture of the reef environment including:

• Computer vision: The surface robot is equipped with advanced camera systems and uses machine learning to visually identify and automatically flag invasive algae or marine debris.
• Environmental DNA (eDNA): A second surface robot also serves as a mobile genetic lab, collecting water samples during deployment for eDNA analysis after its return. This allows researchers to perform rapid, in-field genetic analysis of water samples to confirm the presence of a target species.
• Hyperspectral benthic mapping: A submersible drone dives beneath the surface to scan the reef with a hyperspectral camera. This sensor captures detailed light signatures, creating 3D maps that reveal the specific composition and health of the coral ecosystem.

“We are moving beyond standard visual surveys to provide managers with definitive genetic, spectral and visual data, all collected autonomously,” said HIMB Associate Research Professor Erik Franklin, a collaborator on the project. “While technical challenges related to data synthesis and real-world accuracy remain, the collaborative team–comprising marine biology, invasive species, and technology experts–gives us confidence in the ultimate data products.”

The successful completion of the field test yielded valuable initial data, paving the way for the future research cruise to Papahānaumokuākea. The team aims to demonstrate a suite of technologies that can be deployed across coral reefs globally to protect them for generations.

The project is a collaboration among: 东精影业, Queensland University of Technology (Australia), NOAA Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the state鈥檚 Division of Aquatic Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The University of Hawaiʻi marked the success of a first-of-its-kind pilot program designed to strengthen the next generation of conservation leaders in Hawaiʻi by blending academic training with hands-on professional development.

The inaugural Conservation Program Management Intensive over two weeks in August 2025, collaboratively offered by the 东精影业 Mānoa and 鈥檚 (NREM), with support from the 东精影业 System and , brought together 22 participants: seven 东精影业 Mānoa conservation-focused graduate students and 15 conservation professionals, many from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources鈥� (DLNR) Divisions of Aquatic Resources and Forestry and Wildlife, one from The Nature Conservancy and several from across the 东精影业 System. Students represented all four counties in Hawaiʻi.

Participants learned directly from more than two dozen expert instructors and professionals representing agencies and organizations across the Hawaiʻi conservation landscape, including 东精影业 Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, 东精影业 Hilo, 东精影业 Mānoa NREM, Hālau ʻŌhiʻa, Heʻeia Ahupuaʻa Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, Paepae o Heʻeia and National Estuarine Research Reserve, The Nature Conservancy, DLNR Chair鈥檚 Office and the Divisions of Aquatic Resources, Forestry and Wildlife, and Conservation and Resources Enforcement, the Hawaiʻi Attorney General鈥檚 Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Congressman Ed Case, Kupu, and 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 Lyon Arboretum, among others.

The course covered a wide range of topics essential to conservation program leadership and management, including:

• Cohort building, ʻāina-based learning and Hawaiian life pathways
• Community engagement and co-stewardship management
• Strategic planning and decision analysis
• Administrative procedure and state/federal government functions
• Human resource management, budgeting, grant writing and management
• Public meeting facilitation, environmental law and congressional processes
• Project management, communications and leadership development

“This course was created to directly address needs expressed by statewide public and non-profit organizations working in conservation,” said 东精影业 Director of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures Director and Course Co-instructor Suzanne Case. “While early-career professionals often bring strong disciplinary expertise, many organizations identified a critical need for training in program administration and leadership. It looks like the course hit this need spot-on.”

Co-instructor Linden Schneider reflected on the real, lasting impact, saying, “This program not only delivered practical knowledge, but also created a powerful cohort-based learning community where participants shared their own challenges and created solutions, collaboratively, in real time.”

Alan Hunley of the 东精影业 Outreach College praised the program鈥檚 collaborative design.

“Our goal was to make this course accessible and impactful for both students and working professionals,” Hunley said. “We were thrilled to see the energy and dedication of the participants, and the positive feedback confirms this model is working.”

Participants also expressed high praise:

• “Such a great course, filled with knowledge from many knowledgeable speakers, very informative and fun excursions to actually go to different entities and see their facilities and hear from their work experiences. I would recommend this class and take it again every five years to revitalize and remember why I love my job.”
• “I feel incredibly grateful for the relationships I built with the kumu, fellow students and presenters throughout this experience. The thoughtful balance between classroom learning and site visits made the program truly unique.”

Encouraged by the pilot鈥檚 success, Case and Schneider anticipate offering the course again in summer 2026 to a mix of graduate students and early-career professionals in conservation-related fields. Tuition is expected to be $1,000 for 80 hours of instruction, with applications opening in early spring 2026. Applicants will be selected based on their ability to immediately apply the course content to their work. For more information about the course, .

From tracking invasive marine species, to exploring vegetation recovery on degraded, uninhabited islands, to studying tiny beetles threatening mangroves, eight University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa undergraduates spent two months this summer in the Galápagos Islands. Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation with additional support from 东精影业 Mānoa, and guided by research mentors from 东精影业 Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, the students conducted hands-on research on invasive species that connected them to ʻāina (land/sea), k膩naka (people) and mālama ʻāina (stewardship).

The experience built on a preparatory spring course (NREM 491), where students learned the foundations of island invasion biology and developed their own research proposals.

Monitoring invasive species

Cienna Kahrobaie, a major, studied invasive marine species at boat docks around Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Using settlement plates (small experimental surfaces for marine organisms to grow on) deployed for two months, she compared species richness, percent cover, and community composition at docks experiencing differential boat traffic, and learned valuable identification techniques from experts at the Charles Darwin Foundation and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.

“Settlement plates allow scientists to get a glimpse of what is growing in marine communities around boat docks, so if we employ them at sites with specific maritime traffic patterns, we can more quickly detect invasive species of concern,” Kahrobaie said. “This would allow conservationists to respond quicker to these marine invasions and prevent their establishment.”

While conducting research, she found a moment of discovery while resting in a tidepool. By staying still, she observed fish, hermit crabs and even an octopus up close, learning that sometimes slowing down revealed more than trying to see it all at once.

Studying connections between islands

Riley Herron, a major, conducted research on Santa Fé Island, a remote, uninhabited Galápagos island recovering from heavy feral goat degradation and resulting ecological damage. She studied how the island鈥檚 microtopography affects microclimates critical for woody plant seedling establishment, setting up large plots to measure environmental conditions and seedling presence for the island鈥檚 three dominant woody species. Through her research, Herron found connections between the Gal谩pagos and Hawaiʻi.

“I hope my research helps highlight the interconnectedness of our ecosystems,” Herron said. “There are so many large-scale processes that shape what happens on the micro level, and as our climate continues to change, understanding those small-scale interactions becomes more important than ever. As island ecosystems are isolated, limited in resources and filled with endemism, they are the first to be impacted, emphasizing how important island conservation is globally.”

Tiny threatening beetles

Lana Mitchell, a major, studied how an invasive mangrove bark beetle affects native red mangrove seedlings, testing whether fertilizer could offset beetle damage. The project challenged her to conduct independent research while navigating new skills, from kayaking to communicating in Spanish, all while deepening her passion for conservation.

“I hope that this can aid scientists in measuring how much of a difference in survival and growth a propagule (a young mangrove seedling) can undergo with and without beetle infestations,” Mitchell said. “This research could help to determine the overall survival of native species in exposure to invasives, giving scientists a window of time in which to provide native species with resources to better sustain their growth and longevity in island ecosystems.”

Mitchell was struck by how comfortable Galápagos wildlife are around humans, spotting sea lions resting just steps away during her research. According to Mitchell, the experiences reinforced the local community鈥檚 dedication to conservation and strengthened her connection to the islands鈥� unique ecosystems.

“This immersive summer research program in the Galápagos is a collaborative effort that provides applied research experiences in invasive species ecology to 东精影业 Mānoa undergraduate students from across campus,” said Creighton Litton, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management professor, (UROP) director, and one of the eight 东精影业 Mānoa faculty members who designed and implemented the program over the past three years. “The success of this program stems from committed research mentors from both 东精影业 Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, financial support from NSF and 东精影业 Mānoa and, most importantly, fully engaged students from our campus who commit to a full research experience, from learning the basics and developing proposals on campus in the spring, to field data collection, analysis and write-up in the summer.”

This opportunity is the result of a collaboration between 东精影业 Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, and is funded by the National Science Foundation–International Research Experiences for Students, the 东精影业 Mānoa Provost鈥檚 Office to align the overall program with the campus goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and the 东精影业 Mānoa Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship.

The deadline to apply for the 2026 program is October 15. .

With diverse expertise ranging from oceanography to economics to community-based coastal management, the University of Hawaiʻi hired eight new faculty members to support sustainable Pacific fisheries efforts. The new cohort of hires will develop an innovative graduate program to advance fisheries research, education, and training for sustainable management in Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific.

Fishing is essential to the way of life in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, providing 50–90% of the protein for Pacific Islanders. However, management strategies from the U.S. continent often fail here because they were designed for cold-water, industrial fisheries. Pacific fisheries are different—they operate in warm tropical waters with diverse species and fishing gear, and with Indigenous Pacific Island communities. The Pacific Island region is multinational and has comparatively less scientific data, requiring a locally developed approach to ensure they can be sustained for generations.

“It is critically important to elevate and co-develop knowledge relevant to the Pacific, foster local expertise, and train the next generation of fisheries stewards and managers,” said Megan Donahue, director of the (HIMB) in the 东精影业 Mānoa (SOEST). “The new faculty members in this cohort each bring unique perspectives and talent to the complexities we face here. In addition to their contributions to advancing research and sustainable management of Pacific fisheries, they will be a vital part of developing a fisheries graduate training program.”

New faculty

• Donna Dimarchopoulou, Fisheries Quantitative Biologist–/
• Mary Donovan, Ecosystem-based Fisheries Science & Management–SOEST/ HIMB
• Erik Franklin, Fisheries Science & Management–SOEST/ HIMB
• Kanoe Morishige, Indigenous-Led Biocultural Coastal Management–/
• Eileen Nalley, Fisheries Extension–SOEST/
• Justin Suca, Fisheries Oceanography–SOEST/
• Ron Vave, Ocean Governance & Marine Resources–/
• Xiurou Wu, Environmental & Resource Economics–/

Fisheries in Hawaiʻi are distinct in that they include a variety of sectors ranging from the open ocean longline fishery, which is the sixth largest fishery in monetary value in the U.S., to community managed fishponds or loko iʻa. Importantly, the majority of nearshore fisheries in Hawaiʻi are non-commercial, which requires unique considerations for management. This program seeks to build on existing work by faculty and practitioners across the 东精影业 System to understand the unique contributions of these diverse commercial and non-commercial fisheries to the economic, social, and cultural well-being of Hawaiʻi to ensure their longevity.

“This cohort of new hires will take fisheries at 东精影业 to the next level to better serve students, communities, fishers, government agencies and conservation organizations in Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific,” said Jeff Drazen, professor in the SOEST Department of Oceanography. “Our vision with this cohort is to stand up a center of expertise and excellence to facilitate the synergistic work that 东精影业 is uniquely positioned to contribute.”

Developing the graduate education program

In Hawaiʻi, the Division of Aquatic Resources, the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, and NOAA鈥檚 Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center have noted the need for greater local research and management capacity. This graduate program will be distinguished from others by creating learning opportunities for students to weave western science and Indigenous knowledge in collaboration with communities, and supporting community-based fisheries solutions and participatory governance approaches.

“We are thrilled to welcome the new fisheries cohort, whose work will significantly enhance Pacific Island fisheries,” said Brian Neilson, Administrator of the Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources. “By advancing research and cultivating the next generation of scientists, practitioners, and managers with social and cultural competencies tailored to Pacific Island communities, this initiative will benefit Hawaiʻi and our island neighbors.”

Indigenous agroforests (food-producing agroecosystems where trees and crops grow together in forest-like environments) may offer valuable insights for addressing two of the world鈥檚 biggest challenges: declining biodiversity and rising non-communicable disease, according to research led by University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 researchers. , the study found that agroforests with greater ecological diversity also offer a more nutritionally diverse food supply.

The team analyzed 48 Indigenous agroforests in Fiji using a trait-based framework. Focusing on specific plant characteristics important for ecological resilience, such as how their seeds are dispersed or how tall they grow, and traits important for human health and nutrition, such as carbohydrates, vitamin A or zinc, they measured the ecological and nutritional functional diversity in the agroforests. The findings showed that agroforests with a high diversity of traits important to ecological resilience—such as recovery after major weather disturbances—also support a wider range and depth of nutrients necessary to human health.

The results point to an important link between environmental management and nutritional resources. While much of modern agriculture focuses on high-yield, low-cost food production, this often comes at the expense of ecosystem health, nutritional diversity and downstream dietary quality. Agroforestry systems, by contrast, grow a variety of trees and plants in the same space, mimicking natural ecosystems and offering a greater diversity of edible and medicinal products.

“Fiji鈥檚 agroforests highlight the potential of biodiverse agroecosystems to contribute to climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive agriculture,” said lead author Ashley McGuigan. “As we work to strengthen food systems that are rooted in place, responsive to climate change, and supportive of community health, this research underscores the importance of biodiversity, agroforestry, and local knowledge in food production.”

McGuigan is an extension specialist faculty member in 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 at the (CTAHR) and a 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 PhD graduate.

Supporting Indigenous knowledge and practices

The study also highlighted the importance of Indigenous knowledge and management practices. The agroforests in the study are stewarded by placed-based and multi-generational informed knowledge systems that are uniquely attuned to local social and ecological conditions, and have enabled resilience to varying levels and types of disasters and disturbances for millenia. Researchers said these knowledge systems and management practices are critical to support a transition towards food production systems that are not only more environmentally sound, but also nutritionally diverse and resilient to climate disruptions.

“Our findings support stronger investment in Indigenous and agroecological food production systems, both in the Pacific and globally,” McGuigan said. “We recommend working with practitioners to identify and record additional functions and traits, and use trait-based tools to help design food production systems that support ecological resilience and human nutrition. We urge policymakers to prioritize systems that reflect the interconnected nature of environmental and human health.”

The work was supported by the National Science Foundation, Fulbright Program and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, among others. The other authors on the study include: Tamara Ticktin (东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 School of Life Sciences), Rachel Novotny (东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 CTAHR), Veniana Tikonavuli and Unaisi Vuli (The University of the South Pacific), and Abrania Marrero (Harvard University).

“Food production is a cornerstone of Fiji鈥檚 economy and community well-being,” Vuli said. “It provides essential food security and supports around 80% of rural livelihoods. Fiji is also increasingly reliant on imported goods, but supporting local food production helps strengthen resilience against climate and economic shocks.”

Maiah Iseminger and Daley Trost, undergraduates at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (CTAHR), earned first place in the state鈥檚 first-ever Food Policy Hackathon.

A multitude of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 students from CTAHR were among teams that gathered from across the state to address food insecurity, one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most pressing problems in a time of increased food costs. Iseminger and Trost proposed a pilot program to help public school families make sure they have enough food during a natural disaster by retrofitting kitchens and creating a food storage area.Their pilot would include one school in a hurricane evacuation area from every state Department of Education complex.

“It was rewarding to use creativity to try and solve a real world problem,” said Iseminger, a senior in CTAHR鈥檚 .

Innovative and impactful solutions

The two-day hackathon brought together bright minds to tackle key issues identified during the 2025 Hawaiʻi Food Summit. Participants were challenged to collaborate, research and design innovative policy solutions, leading up to concise and impactful five-minute presentations.

“Seeing so many minds work toward a shared goal was uplifting,” said Trost, a sophmore in . “And when you are in the same physical space as others, it creates respect for them and their opinions.”

Both students are now developing a policy proposal to address food import dependence and insecurity in Hawaiʻi for their environmental policy course.

The Hawaiʻi Food Policy Hackathon was co-sponsored by the Stupski Foundation and Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy which is an internship program that empowers college students and young farmers to become advocates for a more sustainable and resilient food system in Hawaiʻi.