Help for Ka‘elepulu

Relatively little is known about how pristine tropical estuaries function, explains Natural Resources and Environmental Science MS student Derek Esibill. His research project sought a greater understanding of how the impaired Ka‘elepulu Estuary functions in hopes that it can be better managed to balance the needs of human and natural systems.

Derek will discuss “Investigating an Impaired Estuary: ‘Ike One o Ka‘elepulu” in his MS capstone project defense. You are invited to view his defense via Zoom on Wednesday, April 29, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Meeting ID: 808 284 6388; password: Kahiau.

Derek explored the impact of the broken connection between the inland Ka‘elepulu Pond and associated streams to Kailua Bay. Interestingly, he recruited citizen science and community participatory research to assist in his environmental data collection and interpretation, thereby generating greater community support to better steward this impaired system.

Derek’s advisory committee is Yin-Phan Tsang, Craig Nelson, and Kirsten Oleson. Join in and give him your support—and learn something interesting about the world around us!