WRRC hosts a series of seminars during the spring and fall semesters at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. We are providing a forum to increase awareness of water issues pertaining to island hydrology—encouraging discussions of the management and preservation of Hawai‘i’s water resources with respect to climate, population demands, and contamination.
Note: In 2018 to 2021, WRRC collaborated with the ‘Ike Wai Project for the seminar series.
PREVIOUS SEMINARS
Water Quality and Hydrology Related Research at the Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryApril 26, 2024 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speakers: Ms. Lisa Newburn and Dr. Jen Willis Abstract: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory,…
What Can American Samoan Corals Tell Us About the Future of Coral Reefs in a Changing Climate?April 19, 2024 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Daniel Barshis Abstract: Coral reefs around the world are threatened by rising ocean temperatures. Dr. Dan Barshis will present…
Microbial Water Quality Indicators, Their Sources, and Potential Health Risks in American Samoa and Hawaiʻi WatershedsApril 12, 2024 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Marek Kirs Abstract: Microbial water quality indicators, currently used to evaluate recreational water quality, are abundant in Hawaiʻi soils…
Humic Acid Fluorescence Quenching Impacts Molecular Detection of Pathogens in WaterApril 5, 2024 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Tao Yan Abstract: Nucleic acids-based molecular methods have revolutionized pathogen detection in water and other environmental matrices. However, the…
Engaging Hawai‘i’s Future Scientists in Community-driven Water ResearchApril 2, 2024 (3:00 pm, HST) ∙ WRRC Special Seminar ∙
Speaker: Dr. Carmella Viza Abstract: Wetland restoration efforts in Hawaiʻi exist at the unique interface of traditional Hawaiian practices, conservation, and…
Empowering Communities: Strategies for Engaging in Successful, Co-produced Hydrological ResearchMarch 27, 2024 (3:00 pm, HST) ∙ WRRC Special Seminar ∙
Speaker: Dr. Chris Shuler Abstract: Community-engagement has emerged as somewhat of a cliché in the realm of contemporary, socially-conscious scientific discourse.…
Empowering Communities: WRRC’s Efforts in the Aftermath of Maui’s 2023 WildfiresMarch 8, 2024 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Chris Shuler Abstract: The devastating wildfires that struck Maui in August 2023 resulted in tragic impacts, including loss of…
Beach Sand Quality – A Recent ConcernFebruary 23, 2024 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. João Brandão Abstract: The emergence of Candida auris has sparked global interest in fungi within the context of environmental…
Observing Floods From Space February 16, 2024 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Dinuke Munasinghe Abstract: Floods are one of the leading natural disasters which devastate agricultural crops and property, contribute to…
The Present and Future State of the Pearl Harbor AquiferFebruary 9, 2024 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Paul Eyre Abstract: Since 1879, the Pearl Harbor aquifer (Ewa-Kunia excluded) has shrunk to around 60 percent of its…
Nationwide Assessment of Cost Impacts to the Clean Water Agencies Triggered by PFASDecember 8, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Pooja Sinha Abstract: The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) initiated a membership survey in 2022 to estimate cost…
Water is Water–Not Waste! International Options for Smart Wastewater Treatment DecisionsNovember 17, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: WasteWater Education 501(c)3 Abstract: For many small communities in Hawaii, the US, and overseas, the central wastewater infrastructure is not always…
Impacts of Physical Stressors on Coastal Groundwater Flow and Transport ProcessesOctober 27, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Xiaolong (Leo) Geng Abstract: Coastal beach aquifers play a pivotal role in supporting healthy ecosystems along the coastline. Consequently, it…
Metabolic Models and Machine Learning Methods for Bioprocess OptimizationOctober 6, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Garrett Roell Abstract: Non-model microbial species offer unique potential for biomanufacturing. However, the development of novel microbial hosts requires holistic…
Reinventing the Toilet for Global Sanitation: The NEWgenerator Resource Recovery MachineSeptember 15, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Daniel Yeh Abstract: This presentation is part of the AAEES Kappe Lecture series Billions of people worldwide suffer from poor…
After the Fire: The Importance of Scientific Support in Protecting Health and RecoveryAugust 18, 2023 (12:30 pm, HST) ∙ WRRC Special Seminar ∙
Speaker: Dr. Andrew J. Whelton Abstract: In response to the Maui wildfires and the probable contamination of water infrastructure, Dr. Andrew J.…
The Consequences of Groundwater Withdrawals and their Implications for Sustainable Yield in Hawai‘iApril 28, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Scot Izuka Abstract: How much groundwater is available for human use from Hawai’i’s aquifers? It depends. All groundwater withdrawals-even from…
Environmental Justice Through the Lens of Coastal HealthApril 14, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Dr. Eileen Nalley Abstract: A legacy of contamination from unsustainable land use affects the health of coastal ecosystems and communities around…
Envisioning Water Security and Resilience in the Pacific: Lessons from Integrated Ridge to Reef Studies in American SamoaMarch 24, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speakers: Ms. Mia Comeros and Dr. Chris Shuler Abstract: Enhancing actionable science links to management of natural resources in island communities is…
An Engineering Solution to Restoring Wai: Kānewai Spring and Kalauha‘iha‘i FishpondMarch 10, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speakers: Mr. Chris Cramer and Ms. Hina Ioane Abstract: The 1990s widening of Kalanianaʻole Highway caused an environmental catastrophe by cutting the…
Mālama Pu‘uloa: Fostering Innovative Collaboration to Restore Pearl Harbor to AbundanceFebruary 24, 2023 (2:00 pm, HST)
Speaker: Ms. Sandy Ward Abstract: It is clear that the watersheds of the ʻEwa district (moku) must be the focus of intense…