About Our Lab
The goal of He‘eia NERR is to conduct and facilitate collaborative research to inform adaptive co-management with Indigenous non-profit organizations and agencies within the Reserve, which includes HIMB and the lands and waters surrounding it. We are guided by a fundamental question aimed at understanding the most effective ecosystem-based management strategies that contribute to the resilience and integrity of estuarine ecosystems. We answer this by assessing a holistic suite of ecosystem services that encompass the services that humans provide to ecosystems, as well as the existential benefits that humans receive from ecosystems.
In our research, we use a reciprocal collaboration model that has four components: (1) conducting culturally-appropriate research, (2) co-developing research with the Indigenous people and local community (IPLC) of the Kāne‘ohe Bay region, (3) co-producing new knowledge with the IPLC of place; and (4) informing policy through co-produced knowledge.
Programmatically, the NERR exists upon four pillars – stewardship, research, education, and community engagement – and was intentionally designed to serve Heʻeia and its people. Heʻeia NERR also engages in supporting teacher professional development, undergraduate and graduate education, and training and engagement with various partners.
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Research Team
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Fred Reppun, MS
Assistant Specialist, Education Coordinator
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Yoshimi (Shimi) Rii, PhD
Assistant Specialist, Research Coordinator
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Aimee Sato
Indigenous Stewardship Specialist, Stewardship Coordinator
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Kawika B. Winter, PhD
Associate Professor, and Director, Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Megan Pume Carbral MSW
Educational Specialist
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Casey Ching MS
Training and Engagement Coordinator
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Veronica Gibson, PhD
Postdoctoral Wetland Scientist
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Hi‘iaka Jardine, BSc
Contract & Grants Specialist
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Jerry ("Mahi") Kaluhiwa
Invasive Species Field Assistant
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Gus Robertson
Senior Research Technician
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Van-Nicholas Velasco
Graduate Student
Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
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