{"id":199748,"date":"2024-06-24T14:50:55","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T00:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=199748"},"modified":"2024-06-24T14:50:55","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T00:50:55","slug":"2-1m-maui-wildfire-response","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2024\/06\/24\/2-1m-maui-wildfire-response\/","title":{"rendered":"$2.1M for UH<\/abbr>-led Maui wildfire response research"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Studying coral reefs using an autosampler.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the devastating Maui wildfires of August 2023, the University of Hawai\u02bbi<\/span> is spearheading projects totaling $2.1 million to address the impacts to air and water quality, public health, ecosystem resilience and community evacuation responses. Utilizing cutting-edge techniques such as AI<\/abbr>-enhanced data collection and computational modeling, researchers aim to deliver crucial insights to boost disaster resilience and enhance emergency response strategies. Since fall 2023, more than 30 UH<\/abbr> researchers have been involved in 12 National Science Foundation (NSF<\/abbr>) Rapid Response Research (RAPID<\/abbr>) funded projects, with the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Water Resources Research Center<\/a> (WRRC<\/abbr>) coordinating efforts across the UH<\/abbr> System.<\/p>\n

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Sampling for metals in coastal waters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cUH<\/abbr> is playing a critical role in conducting scientific research on the wide-ranging effects of wildfires on both human health and the environment, facilitating informed decision-making and effective disaster response strategies,\u201d said WRRC<\/abbr> Director Tom Giambelluca. \u201cBy coordinating research efforts, we hope to ensure collaboration among stakeholders, including researchers, government agencies, community groups, and nonprofits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawing on previous experience with the Red Hill water crisis, WRRC<\/abbr> quickly convened faculty, staff, and students from UH<\/abbr> to explore collaborative research approaches to support the community. This led to WRRC<\/abbr> assuming a central role in facilitating communication among research teams and coordinating UH<\/abbr>‘s research response.<\/p>\n

\u201cWRRC<\/abbr> has maintained ongoing dialogue among UH<\/abbr> researchers involved in Maui’s post-fire recovery and has played a key role in connecting this research collective with the Maui All Hands Environmental Response group,\u201d said Mia Comeros, WRRC<\/abbr> Pacific Water Resilience and Security Program lead. \u201cThis coalition includes community, state, federal agencies, and researchers, collaborating on response and recovery efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comeros has been instrumental in coordinating the Maui fires response data products in collaboration with Lisa Webster, GIS Analyst at the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center<\/a>, and Lauren Kaiser, Data Manager with the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing Systems<\/a>. This initiative develops decision support tools<\/a> and enhances research coordination using advanced geospatial and data analysis tools. It aims to support environmental response and improve communication efforts in Maui.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_media_grid element_width=”3″ css=”” grid_id=”vc_gid:1719273826470-66a45e3e-4b7d-4″ include=”199774,199777,199775,199776,199773,199772,199771,199770,199769,199768″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\n

12 NSF<\/abbr> RAPID<\/abbr>-funded projects:<\/h2>\n