Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES)

PIPES Alumni by Intern Year: 2016

All PIPES Alumni by Year

2016 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Interns

Andrew Hanano

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Population dynamics of shrimp and damselflies in anchialine pool ecosystems.

Mentor: Robert Peck.

Host Organization: Hawaii Cooperative Studies Unit/United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Bret Mossman

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Analysis of captive Palila foraging behavior.

Mentor: Bryce Masuda.

Host Organization: San Diego Global/Keahou Bird Conservation Center.

Carmen Garson-Shumway

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Investigating climate driven shifts in Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA for water resource and land management solutions.

Mentor: Tracy Wiegner.

Host Organization: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Marine Science Department.

Conor Handley

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Rat behavior in a mezic montaine forest.

Mentor: Paul Banko.

Host Organization: United States Geological Survey (USGS).

David Russell

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Comparison of the accuracy of time-stamp infrared aerial geo-positions vs. high precision ground GPS units.

Mentor: Timothy Sullivan.

Host Organization: Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC).

Kimberly Kahaleua

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Facilitating adaptation in montane plants to changing precipitation along an elevation gradient.

Mentor: Steven Hess and Christina Leopold.

Host Organization: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center.

Nadiatou Ouedraogo

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: The invasion biology of Drosophila suzukii in Hawaii.

Mentor: Jonathan B. Koch.

Host Organization: University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Saria Adnan Sultan

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Determining nutrient pollution loads to Puakō’s coral reef.

Mentor: Tracy Wiegner.

Host Organization: University of HawaiʻI at Hilo Marine Science Department.

Shaun Wriston

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Effect of Koa density on abiotic variables in restoration.

Mentor: Stephanie Yelenik.

Host Organization: US Geological Survey in collaboration with University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Ulumauahi Kealiikanakaʻoleohaililani

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Vegetation structure and fruit availability at ‘alalā reintroduction sites.

Mentor: Rebecca Ostertag, Bryce Masuda and Jon Price.

Host Organization: University of Hawaii at Hilo Biology.

2016 University of Hawaiʻi Hawaiian Internship Program (UH-HIP) Interns

Autumn “Koko” Chong

From: Kauaʻi.

Project: Restoration and management of an ahupua'a (Waipā).

Mentor: Ryan Kaipo Like.

Host Organization: Waipā Foundation.

Bronson Palupe

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Light and seedling regeneration in lowland wet forests.

Mentor: Rebecca Ostertag and Ryan Perroy.

Host Organization: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Liko Nā Pilina.

Candice Miner-Ching

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Kahuapono: Environmental outreach and educational programs.

Mentor: Lahela Camara.

Host Organization: ʻImi Pono no ka ʻāīna.

Christopher Thomson

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Characterizing groundwater flow in fractured rock from coastal septic systems.

Mentor: Steven Colbert.

Host Organization: University of HawaiʻI at Hilo Marine Science Department.

Devon Aguiar

From: Oʻahu.

Project: The influence of habitat rugosity on coral reef fish diversity.

Mentor: Jason Adolf.

Host Organization: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Department of Marine Science & Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science.

Dylan “Iokepa” Paty-Miner

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Restoration and management of forest resources on Mauna Kea.

Mentor: Kālā Asing.

Host Organization: Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project.

Flame Porter

From: Oʻahu.

Project: Resource management with O'ahu Army Natural Resource Program.

Mentor: Kahale Pali.

Host Organization: O'ahu Army Natural Resource Program.

Honour Booth

From: Oʻahu.

Project: The availability of algal resources for herbivorous fish found in He’eia Fishpond.

Mentor: Kanaloa Bishop.

Host Organization: Paepae o He‘eia.

Jason Bayang

From: Oʻahu.

Project: Impact of microplastics on marine habitats.

Mentor: Kalisi Mausio and Mark Manuel.

Host Organization: National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) - Marine Debris Program.

Joseph “Crispin” Nakoa III

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Hoʻopono Haleolono: Best management practices for the restoration of Haleolono Fishpond.

Mentor: Luka Mossman and Kala Mossman.

Host Organization: Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation.

Kamaki Maluo-Huber

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Intern Project with Moon Phase Project.

Mentor: Kanani Fraizer.

Host Organization: Moon phase project.

Kawehi Lopez

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Understanding landowners' attitudes and the current distributions of little fire ants (LFA) across private lands.

Mentor: Rebecca Niemiec.

Host Organization: Big Island Invasive Species Committee.

Kekuamakana “Makana” Lewis

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Mānowai O Hanakahi.

Mentor: Hoʻoululahui “Erika” Perry..

Host Organization: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Pacific Island Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES).

Kialoa Mossman

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Understanding the effects of human activity on erosion at the summit of Mauna Kea.

Mentor: Ryan Perroy.

Host Organization: UH Hilo Geography Department.

Kuʻupuamaeʻole Kiyuna

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Biodiversity and invasive species monitoring and education on Maunakea.

Mentor: Fritz Klasner.

Host Organization: Office of Mauna Kea Management.

Mahealani Hiraoka

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Row crop cultivar trials and natural farming.

Mentor: Katie Schwind.

Host Organization: Kohala Institute at ʻIole.

Meleana Adams

From: Oʻahu.

Project: Propagation of native Hawaiian plants and outreach on the importance of growing native species.

Mentor: Chelsey Jay.

Host Organization: Mālama Learning Center.

Natasha “Nāhōkū” Kahana

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Evaluation of habitat at Honokea Loko Iʻa through virtual 3D panoramic stills and video.

Mentor: John Burns.

Host Organization: Kamaʻaha Education Initiative.

Nolan Caballero, Jr.

From: Kauaʻi.

Project: Restoration and management of an ahupua'a (Waipā).

Mentor: Ryan Kaipo Like.

Host Organization: Waipā Foundation.

Paul Alexander “Alex” Awo

From: Oʻahu.

Project: Developing educational materials for ʻāina-based curriculum.

Mentor: Kīhei Nahale-A.

Host Organization: Papahana Kuaola.

Rebecca Dumo-Qualters

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Comparison of time-cost and efficiency of ground survey/response to UAV surveys/ground response.

Mentor: Timothy Sullivan.

Host Organization: Big Island Invasive Species Control.

Ryan Ueunten

From: Oʻahu.

Project: Conservation planning and watershed restoration.

Mentor: Jean Brokish.

Host Organization: Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Council.

Shaye Lynn Baldos

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Row crop cultivar trials and natural farming.

Mentor: Katie Schwind.

Host Organization: Kohala Institute at ʻIole.

Stephanie Kung

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Evaluating the effectiveness of BIISC’s little fire ant (LFA) outreach effort.

Mentor: Rebecca Niemiec.

Host Organization: Big Island Invasive Species Committee.

Tressie “Aloha” Kapono

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Impacts of rats on Hawaii elepaio nesting success and survival/Impacts of rats on arthropod and plant communities that support forest birds.

Mentor: Paul Banko.

Host Organization: United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Tyler Iaea

From: Oʻahu.

Project: Māla Kai - Coastal Garden Project.

Mentor: Ikaika Lum.

Host Organization: Mālama Loko Ea Foundation.

William “Kahua” Julian, Jr.

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Management and restoration of forest resources on Mauna Kea.

Mentor: Kālā Asing.

Host Organization: Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project.

William Michael Han

From: Hawaiʻi.

Project: Dry coastal ecosystem restoration at Kalaeloa.

Mentor: Lorena Wada.

Host Organization: U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service.

2016 Micronesia and American Samoa Student Internship Program (MASSIP) Interns

Faasalafa “Diana” Kitiona

From: Oʻahu.

Project: US Pacific Territories Fishery Capacity-Building Program Internship.

Mentor: Sylvia Spalding.

Host Organization: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.

Knox Tkel

From: Palau.

Project: Digitizing and managing a database for conservation resources.

Mentor: Bernie Besebes.

Host Organization: Palau Conservation Society.

Marli Klass

From: Palau.

Project: Turtle Monitoring and Data Collection: Turtles of Palau’s Northern Reef.

Mentor: Ann Singeo and Joshua Eberdong.

Host Organization: Ebiil Society Incorporated.

Yubee K. Isaac

From: Palau.

Project: Monitoring fish at seagrass beds in marine protected areas.

Mentor: Victor Nestor.

Host Organization: Palau International Coral Reef Center.