Congrats Kirsten, or should we say, “Commissioner Oleson.” The professor in the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management was appointed Aug. 7 to the City and County of Honolulu’s Climate Change Commission. 

Non-native, fire-prone vegetation covers more than one million acres of the Hawaiian islands. But Clay Trauernicht of the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management believes that threat could be somewhat alleviated by restoring ecosystems with non-invasive and native plants.

The Hawaiian Islands have just the right water resources and climate to support the aquaculture farming of fish, shellfish, algae, etc. So what’s holding back this potentially profitable industry? A lack of affordable local feed. Feed accounts for 60%+ of aquaculture production costs, and all of it is imported. 

In accordance with the City Charter, the Climate Change Commission is charged with gathering the latest science and information on climate change impacts to Hawai‘i, with a focus on O‘ahu.

The 61st annual meeting of The Clay Minerals Society and 5th Asian Clay Conference, held jointly at UHM, could not have come at a better time, given the pressing environmental challenges facing the Pacific Islands.

Hawaiʻi faces unique challenges in wildfire management, particularly due to the prevalence of more than 1 million acres of fire-prone non-native vegetation. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Extension Specialist Clay Trauernicht is looking to go to the root of the issue: Could restoring ecosystems with non-invasive and native plants alleviate some of the threat?

Two University of Hawaiʻi faculty are being recognized for their work on addressing how environmental policies related to climate change impact diverse populations, particularly Indigenous communities.

Can the state of Hawaiʻi reach its 100% renewable electricity target by 2045? The skeptics may harbour their doubts, but Samir Khanal and Tomoaki Miura have a plan – and a grant – that could facilitate connecting bioresources with bioenergy interests. Samir, of the Dept. of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, and Tomoaki, of the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, have partnered on a recent $150,000 Sun Grant Western Region grant. Their goal? 

Only three recipients nationwide in 2024 will earn the Keller Scholarship in Conservation Horticulture from Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Garden Club of America – and CTAHR’s own Gracianne Young is one of them.

Earth Day was celebrated by Pres. Joe Biden – and Ashley Mackenzie of the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management. He issued EO 14072, which directs the federal government to carry out the First National Nature Assessment. She will co-write a chapter in this historic attempt to take stock of U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and the benefits provided to our economy, health, climate, environmental justice, and national security.

Susan Crow, a professor in the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, is the 2023 recipient of the CTAHR Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research. Susan brings technical expertise and leadership to diverse tables for land-based climate action and (re)perpetuating landscape health with formal training in soil biogeochemistry and ecology. 

ʻAlohi clearly embodies the spirit of the Ka Hana Poʻokela Dean’s Award for Excellence by contributing to the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, CTAHR, UH, and the greater community. 

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources /
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Title: Assistant Professor (Applied Environmental Economics)
Position Number: 0085403T
Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM)
Location: Manoa Campus
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (50% Research; 50% Instruction)
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: To begin approximately January 2024 or soon thereafter. Funding is approved until 2026 with apossibility to extend, renewal dependent on grants awarded and satisfactory performance.

For more information, visit: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/hawaiiedu/jobs/4189270/assistant-professor-applied-environmental-economics-85403t

For Inquiries, contact Dr. Melissa Price at pricemel@hawaii.edu

A heartfelt mahalo from the CTAHR ‘ohana to Clay Trauernicht of the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management. As the Maui wildfires tragedy unfolded, Clay was interviewed by at least 50 different media outlets from across the country and internationally. With the highest level of scientific integrity, advocacy, and professionalism, he represented NREM, CTAHR, UH, and the state of Hawaiʻi to millions of people around the world.

This past summer, four UH students traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, for the 19th Biennial International Association for the Study of the Commons conference. With our mentor, Dr. Mehana Vaughan of the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, we relished the rare opportunity to share community-rooted research with an international audience.