Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience: Goal 1: For the research methods and communications courses, recruitment efforts targeted students enrolled in the Sustainable Science and Management degree program, Natural Sciences AS, Hawaiian Studies programand Native Hawaiian scholarship programs. For this goal (and all goals), Native Hawaiian students were targeted for recruitment.Research course students presented their research and attendees included UHMC students and professors, as well as Maui community members. Goal 2: For the internship program, students were recruited through the Sustainable Science and Management degree program, Natural Sciences AS and Native Hawaiian scholarship programs. We also recruited through STEMprofessors, STEM courses and previous students who were involved in Mauka to Makai and Ka Wai Ola (Mauka to Makai's predecessor) activities. Goal 3: Students for the summer bridge program were recruited through 6 Native Hawaiian-serving high schools and institutions on Maui. Goal 4: The project partnered with a local non-profit (Maui Nui Marine Resource Council) to develop the sampling strategy. Student interns from Goal 2 assisted in the research project, including those with Native Hawaiian descent. A high-school student doing their senior project on water quality also participated in the research and field sampling.Stakeholders this research has been communicated to include Maui resource managers, academia at the University of Hawai?i at M?noa and general community organizations focused on restoration and conservation. Changes/Problems:The major challenge of the project was recruiting students, particularly Hawaiian college students, interested in STEM opportunities. College enrollment declined nationwide, including in Hawai?i, and that trend was accelerated by COVID. Given these challenges, the project was still successful in fullfilling the goals and objectives of the grant. Recruitment of Native Hawaiian high school students to participate in project activities was especially successful, which is a promising trend that we hope continues as these students enter into college. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dr. Andrea Kealoha has presented on various aspects of this grant (community engagement, research component, and educational activities and opportunities offered) through four presentations that includedcommunity groups and organizations, academia and resources managemers. A manuscript is currently underway and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal by summer 2024. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: The objectives of this goal were completed in the previous year. Two students who participated in the research and communication courses have gone on to hold successful enviornmental sustainability roles/positions on Maui. One of the students runs a non-profit focused on wetlands restoration. Through this non-profit he has been conducting water quality monitoring through county-funded grants, and develops water quality reports, which is a skill he learned in the research courses. The other student is the program manager for a local non-profit that hosts the only citizen science water quality monitoring program in the state. Her position plays an integral role in water quality monitoring post-Lahaina fires. Goal 2: This reporting period focused on Objective 2b. Two students completed the internship and neither was Native Hawaiian. Goal 3: This goal was completed in the prior reporting period. Goal 4: Objectives a and b were completed in prior years. Goal 4c: Research results have been communicated through three presentations: Sierra Club Maui, Ike Wai Spring Seminar Series and UH Manoa Oceanography Department. A publication is currently in prep and will be submitted by June 2024. The dataset generated by this project is particularly valuable now as it serves as a water quality baseline in Lahaina and Kihei prior to the August 2023 wildfire.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
From global to local: Investigating the impacts of stressors on coral reef health
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:For the college course and internship program, recruitment activities were aimed at students inSustainable Science and Management degree program, Natural SciencesAssociates in Science and the Hawaiian Studies program.We also recruited through STEMprofessors, STEM coursesand previous students who were involved in Mauka to Makai and Ka Wai Ola (Mauka to Makai's predecessor) activities.Research course students presented their research and attendees included UHMC students and professors, as well as Maui community members. Efforts to engage new internship hosts were successful, and these hosts include a UHMC physics professor and community organization aimed at protecting public and environmental health through the reduction of pesticides.Students for the summer bridge program were recruited through 6 Native Hawaiian-serving high schools andinstitutions on Maui. Nine students were recruited into the summer bridge and 56% were Native Hawaiian. Changes/Problems:Recruitment of students, particularly Native Hawaiian students, into the Research Methods and Research Communications course has been a challenge of this project. Since the onset of COVID, enrollment at UH Maui College has fallen 22% and has not yet recovered.Enrollment of Native Hawaiian students has fallen by 25%. However, given the success of the internship and summer bridge programs, it appears that students of all demographics are seeking educational opportunities outside the classroom, including in research,place-based and hands-on activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities: Research Methods and Research Communications courses were taught by instructors with expertise in marine science, microbiology and research communication. These courses were offered in fall 2021, spring 2022 and summer 2022 (Goal 1). Student interns are being mentored by Dr. Andrea Kealoha as well as their internship hosts (Beyond Pesticides and Dr. Jung Park, UHMC physics professor), and are gaining professional experience in FANH careers (Goal 2). The summer bridge curriculum was offered to high-school students by Co-PIs Andrea Kealoha (oceanographer) and Sean Calder (microbiologist) (Goal 3). Given the small class sizes, students participating in the project are receiving one-on-one training and mentorship. Professional development: The project provided professional development activities in research for Co-PI, Dr. Andrea Kealoha, a Native Hawaiian early-career faculty whose expertise is in oceanography. Dr. Kealoha led all aspects of the research goal (Goal 4), including research planning, execution and data analysis. In addition, Dr. Kealoha has gained professional experience in student mentoring and curriculum development. P?ko?a hina?ole (UHMC's water quality lab) lab technician, Arik Dadez, also a Native Hawaiian, participated in Mauka to Makai project activities to gain experience in mentoring, teaching and research activities including field work and laboratory analyses. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Students in the Field Methods and Research Communications courses presented the results of their projects through five presentations that includedUHMCstudentsandfaculty as wellthe general public. These presentations were conducted in spring and summer 2022. The PI and Co-PIs also used these venues toincrease awareness of Mauka to Makai program activities andrecruit new students intotheseprograms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Two interns are currently enrolled in the internship program, and project personnel will work with the interns to ensure successful completion of their projects. Co-PI Andrea Kealoha will work on interpretation of water quality data and dissemination of resultshas already occurred through two presentations given in November 2022 to UH Manoa faculty and students. Dr. Kealoha is also working on a manuscript to submit for peer-review.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: Develop student research and communication skills 1.a. Create Research Methods (SCI 295) and Research Communications courses (SCI 290) Research Communications (SCI 295) was developed in fall 2021 and offered in spring 2022. This course introduced students to the critical components of how to write an effective research paper and how to present research to various audiences. Students learned mapping (ArcMap) and graphing (Matlab) programs to produce effective visual aids and to aid in data interpretation. The final products of the courses included a scientific report and research presentation. 1.b. 10 students will complete both research courses; 34% will be Native Hawaiian Four students enrolled in Research Communications in Spring 2022, although one student dropped the course part-way through the semester for personal reasons. A hybrid, combined version of these courses was then offered in Summer 2022, and the project team recruited for Native Hawaiian students from multiple degree programs, including Sustainable Science and Management (SSM) and Hawaiian Studies. Two students enrolled in the Summer 2022 SCI 295 course; none were Native Hawaiian, although one student identified as Pacific Islander. 1.c. Students conduct five presentations on research findings Three students presented their research findings in May 2022 and two students presented their research in July 2022. In total, five presentations were completed.The presentations were administered in person and through Zoom, and those in attendance included students, faculty and community members. The titles of the presentations were: The impacts of wetlands on marine waters in Hawai'i: A temporal assessment of Kihei coastal water quality, impairment, and possible sources for pollution Coastal Development Impacts on Nearshore Water Quality: A Short Term Comparison Study on Maui's North Shore A Comparative Study of Lahaina's Coastal Marine Water Quality: Impairments, Correlations, and Possible Contamination Sources Waiohuli Kai Water Quality Report ?hihi K?na?u and Po?olenalena Coastal Water Quality Study 1.d. 75% of students will report stronger proficiency in research and communication skills 100% ofstudents indicated that they gained research, lab and science communication skills. 1.e. 75% of students will indicate intent to pursue a degree or career related to FANH 60% ofstudents indicated intent to pursue a degree or career related to FANH. Within the reporting period, onestudent from these courses receivedajob related to water quality monitoring and leadership on Maui with Hui O Ka Wai Ola, a partner on this project. Goal 2: Provide internships that promote leadership skills and position students for FANH careers 2.a. Collaborate with at least four local industry/organizations to develop student internships During the reporting period, the project partnered with two local industry/organizations to develop and offer students internships. These partners were Beyond Pesticides and P?ko?a hina?ole. 2.b. Eight students will complete semester-long internships; 34% will be Native Hawaiian Two students began internships during the reporting period. Neither of the students are Native Hawaiian. 2.c. 75% of students will report increased preparedness for FANH careers The results of student intern surveys from this reporting period will be discussed in the next progress report.However, three former interns are now working within the field of natural resource management and conservation on Maui, and two of those students received the positions within the reporting period. Goal 3: Promote post-secondary education in FANH sciences to underrepresented groups 3.a. Partner with at least three Native-Hawaiian serving programs and/or schools for student recruitment Mauka to Makai has partnered with 6 Native Hawaiian serving schools for recruitment, exceeding the program's goal of three Native-Hawaiian serving programs. The six schools are King Kekaulike high school, Maui high school, Lahainaluna high school, Baldwin high school, Kamehameha Schools and Hawaiian Immersion. 3.b. 20 high-school students will complete Ridge-to-Reef summer bridge; 50% will be Native Hawaiian During the reporting period, 9 students completed the Reef-to-Reef summer bridge.56% were Native Hawaiian, which exceeds the program's goal of 50%Native Hawaiian participation. 3.c. 75% of students will indicate interest in pursuing FANH degrees and careers During the reporting period, 66%of studentsexpressed interest in pursuing a FANH degree. However, 80% of Native Hawaiian students expressed interest in pursuing a FANH degree, which reflects the success of the program in increasing entry of Native Hawaiian students into FANH. Goal 4: Build UHMC research capacity and determine baseline coastal water quality to inform future Ridge-to-Reef management strategies 4.a. Partner with a local non-profit or citizen science group to design sampling plan and strategy This objective was completed and reported on in the previous progress report. 4.b. Determine summer and winter baseline coastal water quality The project has established baseline coastal water quality conditions through the sampling effort conducted during the visitor quarantine. Data interpretation is underway and a manuscript will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication. 4.c. Communicate results to stakeholders through at least three outlets (e.g., presentations, publication, media) Project activities under this objectiveoccurred in September-November 2022 and will be reported in the next progress report.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Silver Lining of the Pandemic: COVID creates an experiment to study reduced human impacts on water quality and coral reef health (2020). Ridge to Reef Rendez-view.
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Goal 1: The Research Methods course (SCI 295V) began on 8/23/21. Recruitment efforts targeted students enrolled in the Sustainable Science and Management degree program, Natural Sciences ASand Native Hawaiian scholarship programs. Through these efforts, four students enrolled into the course. Goal 2: For the internship program, students were recruited through theSustainable Science and Management degree program, Natural Sciences AS andNative Hawaiian scholarship programs. We also recruited through STEM professors,STEM courses and Ka Wai Ola (the project's predecessor) water quality courses. During the reporting period,the program has had six student interns, of which 50% were Native Hawaiian. Goal 3: Students for the summer bridge program were recruited through 6 Native Hawaiian-serving high schools and institutions on Maui. As a result, 10 high-school students enrolled in summer bridge and 70% were Native Hawaiian. Goal 4: The spatial water quality assessment has been completed. The project partnered with a local non-profit(Maui Nui Marine Resource Council) to develop the sampling strategy. Student interns from Goal 2 assisted in the research project, including those with Native Hawaiian descent. A high-school student doingtheir senior project on water quality also participated in the research and field sampling. Changes/Problems:The major challenge has been recruiting students into the Research Methods course. Community college enrollment has gone down nationwide, and in Hawaii. This trend is accelerated by COVID, as students are concerned about childcare, finances and health. At UH Maui College, enrollment in Fall 2021 declined by 7.2%. Although the courses developed in Goal 1 were designed to be taken consecutively, the project will still recruit for students into the second course and will restructure the curriculum to fit these changes.We will also enhance recruitment efforts through more Native Hawaiian serving programs, in order to increase participation of Native Hawaiian students in Goal 1. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities: The Research Methods course, which has four students enrolled, is being co-taught by instructors with expertise in marine science and microbiology (Goal 1). Student interns are being mentored by Dr. Andrea Kealoha as well as their internship hosts, and are gaining professional experience in FANH careers (Goal 2). The summer bridge curriculum was developed and co-taught by Co-PIs Andrea Kealoha (oceanographer) and Sean Calder (microbiologist) (Goal 3). Given the small class sizes, students participating in the project are receiving one-on-one training and mentorship. Professional development: The project provided professional development activities in research for Co-PI, Dr. Andrea Kealoha, whose expertise is in oceanography. Dr. Kealoha led all aspects of the research goal (Goal 4), including research planning, execution and data analysis. In addition, Dr. Kealoha has gained professional experience in student mentoring and curriculum development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project coordinator and Co-PI, Dr. Andrea Kealoha, haspresented on various aspects of this grant (community engagement, research component, and educational activities and opportunities offered) through two presentations. The first presentation was an invited seminar through the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center, and the audience was mostly academics working in the field of water sciences. The second presentation was an invited talk through a non-profit, Sierra Club Maui. The audience was invited to a zoom presentation and it was also streamed live through Facebook. For this presentation, the audience included general community members with an interest in water quality and environmental resource management. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Goal 1: The project is currently recruiting through multiple STEM courses and Native Hawaiian scholarship programs at the college to increase enrollment for Research Communications. We will hold the second course (Research Communications) in spring 2022, and the students will present their research at the end of the semester. The evaluation team will administer surveys near the end of the spring 2022 semester. Goal 2: The project will recruit two more student interns and engage local industry/organizations to host these interns. Recruitment will be geared towards Native Hawaiian students. Each intern will take a survey administered by the evaluation team. Goal 3: The project will begin recruitment for the summer bridge program in March 2022. Recruitment will be done through Native Hawaiian serving institutions and high-schools. The summer bridge will then be offered in summer 2022 and co-taught by Co-PIs Andrea Kealoha and Sean Calder. Students will be surveyed by the evaluation team. Goal 4: Co-PI Andrea Kealoha will work on interpretation of water quality data and disseminate results to stakeholders through three platforms (media, presentation, publication).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This USDA ANNH project, Mauka to Makai: From the Mountain to the Sea,brings together research, education and community extension to build a future generation equipped with the knowledge to address Maui's water quality challenges and fragile environmental resources. Through the proposed activities, we will build research capacity for University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) faculty and create undergraduate research opportunities to advance the quality of education for Maui's students, especially those of Native Hawaiian descent. The four main goals of the project will: 1) develop two courses which include Research Methods and Research Communications for UHMC students, 2) provide eight student internship opportunities within the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resource and Human (FANH) science industry, and non-profit and government organizations, 3) offer a Ridge-to-Reef summer bridge program to 20 high-school students to increase post-secondary education in FANH, and 4) build UHMC research capacity and determine baseline coastal water quality to inform future Ridge-to-Reef management strategies. Within the reporting period, we have been successful in engaging faculty, students and the community in project activities. So far, 20 students have participated in our new water quality research course, internship program and summer bridge program. 50% of the students have been Native Hawaiian, which is an excellent achievement. The project has partnered with five industry and community organizations to offer internship programs and expose students to networking and potential career paths. Two student interns have since been hired to work in the water quality industry, and one student intern was retained by their internship organization for an extended internship. The project has completed field work sampling related to the island-wide coastal water quality assessment. In total, 210 samples were collected in the summer 2020, winter 2021 and summer 2021. Over the next reporting period, the project will work on data interpretation to understand 1) how coastal water quality varies with season and, 2) the impacts of reduced population on coastal water quality. Goal 1: Develop student research and communication skills 1.a. Create Research Methods (SCI 295) and Research Communications courses (SCI 290) The Research Methods (SCI 295) course curriculum was developed in Summer 2021. The curriculum includes how to develop a research and water quality sampling plan,watercollection methods and laboratory analyses for a number of water quality parameters (biological, physical and chemical). 1.b. 10 students will complete both research courses; 34% will be Native Hawaiian The first course, Research Methods, began Fall 2021. Four students are enrolled, and none of the students are Native Hawaiian. 1.c. Students conduct five presentations on research findings This objective will be fulfilled through the second course, Research Communications, in Spring 2022. 1.d. 75% of students will report stronger proficiency in research and communication skills The evaluation team will administer the survey for this objective in Spring 2022. 1.e. 75% of students will indicate intent to pursue a degree or career related to FANH The evaluation team will administer the survey for this objective in Spring 2022. Goal 2: Provide internships that promote leadership skills and position students for FANH careers 2.a. Collaborate with at least four local industry/organizations to develop student internships The program partnered with five industry/organizations to offer student internships. The organizations were Hui o Ka Wai Ola, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, Department of Health, Institute for Transformative Technologies (ITT)and Na Moku Aupuni of Ko'olau. All of these organizationsareinvolved inaddressing Maui's water quality challenges. 2.b. Eight students will complete semester-long internships; 34% will be Native Hawaiian Six students have completed internships in the first year; 50% have been Native Hawaiian. 2.c. 75% of students will report increased preparedness for FANH careers 100% of interns indicated they feel more confident and knowledgeable to pursue a career in FANH. Two of the students have since been hired by local organizations to lead and conduct water quality testing. One of the students has continued to work with their internship host (ITT) through an extended paid internship supported by ITT. Goal 3: Promote post-secondary education in FANH sciences to underrepresented groups 3.a. Partner with at least three Native-Hawaiian serving programs and/or schools for student recruitment Mauka to Makai has partnered with 6 Native Hawaiian serving schools for recruitment. The six schools are King Kekaulike high school, Maui high school, Lahainaluna high school, Baldwin high school, Kamehameha Schools and Hawaiian Immersion. 3.b. 20 high-school students will complete Ridge-to-Reef summer bridge; 50% will be Native Hawaiian The first summer bridge program was held June 2-June 10, 2021. 10 students completed the summer bridge; 70% were Native Hawaiian. The next summer bridge will be held in summer 2022. 3.c. 75% of students will indicate interest in pursuing FANH degrees and careers In the summer 2021 cohort, almost 78% of students indicated interest in pursuing a degree in FANH, and 71% indicated interest in pursuing a career in FANH. Goal 4: Build UHMC research capacity and determine baseline coastal water quality to inform future Ridge-to-Reef management strategies 4.a. Partner with a local non-profit or citizen science group to design sampling plan and strategy The project partnered with Maui Nui Marine Resource Council's (MNMRC) scientist to develop the water quality sampling plan and strategy. MNMRC is a non-profit working for healthy coral reefs and clean ocean water. The MNMRC scientist helped to inform timing and location of sampling, as well as the parameters sampled. 4.b. Determine summer and winter baseline coastal water quality The project collected island wide samples in summer 2020 (7/13-7/15), summer 2021 (9/10, 9/20, 9/29) and in winter 2020-2021 (12/23/20, 12/29/20, 2/8/21). The July 2020 samples were collected during the COVID mandated 2-week visitor quarantine that dropped visitor arrivals to Hawaii by 99.5% and dramatically reduced Maui's population. In total, the project collected 210 water samples for temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and dissolved inorganic nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate and ammonia). The project is now working on the interpretation of the data. 4.c. Communicate results to stakeholders through at least three outlets (e.g., presentations, publication, media) Activities for this objective will be communicated in the next progress report.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kealoha, Andrea. Building Capacity for Water Quality Monitoring on Maui. Ike Wai Spring Seminar Series, Water Resources Research Center
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kealoha, Andrea. Building Capacity for Water Quality Monitoring on Maui. Sierra Club Maui.
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