Spending a summer in Hawai'i – sounds like the dream, right? Can confirm this is true. This summer, I had the incredible fortune of spending 10 weeks in Hawai'i, performing research at the Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, the main campus of the University of Hawai'i. Geographically, it’s just a few miles from Honolulu on Hawai'i’s most populous island Oah'u. The translucent turquoise waters of Waikiki were no more than a few miles away and the tantalizingly green ridgelines were also easily within reach. And clear skies every day…
But let’s talk about the serious stuff first. After all, I was there to do research! Specifically, I examined the effects of methane enrichment on the microbial community in the water column. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is naturally cycled through biological metabolisms, methanogenesis and methanotrophy. With rising atmospheric methane concentrations, it would prove useful to examine the microbial shifts that occur when elevated levels of methane are present. To accomplish this, we established a shallow water column environment of rich sediment and brackish water and diffused methane to the sediment bottom. We then sampled sediment and water over time, extracted DNA, and performed metagenomics high-throughput sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. We did indeed find a shift in microbial community within both methanogen and methanotroph populations. We also believe our strong methane flux environment may have turned the system anoxic, leading to noticeable reductions in methanotrophic metabolism within the water column, this could potentially contribute to elevated atmospheric methane levels. At the end of ten weeks, I created a poster which was presented before students, graduate students, and professors.
While my research was related to climate change and methane cycling, I don’t believe that was where I gained the most insights into conservation. Those came from outside the lab. As a part of the program I was participating in, we had weekend activities that were often very local in nature. Many emphasized traditional agriculture practices by Hawaiians. We cleared mangroves at the historical He'eia Fishpond, a sustainable and community-based food source undergoing restoration. We sloshed through the thick muds of Ka Papa Loʻi ʻo Kānewai at the University of Hawai'i. At the lo'i (or pondfield), we observed the interconnected kalo (or taro) wetlands in action, all fed by the Mānoa Stream. It was incredible to imagine how such complex systems had been developed all those years ago.
Conservation efforts were underway all around the island. From restricted hikes we were able to access through the University of Hawai'i to carefully fenced areas for monk seals. I was consistently impressed by the environmental awareness within the community as well. Efforts to improve Honolulu’s bike-friendliness was proven with the introduction of a bike sharing program during my time there. The trails, too, were very rarely littered on – hikers fortunately took Leave No Trace seriously. Marine health and conservation stood at the forefront of many residents’ mind. Not only does it play such a large role in tourism, but also is behind much of Hawaiian culture. This summer, I had the pleasure of seeing the return of the Hōkūleʻa, a traditional Polynesian canoe that sailed around the world for three years, touting the theme of environmental sustainability.
Spending time in such a conservation-minded place only further inspired my interest in sustainability and environmental protection. It was awesome to do research at an institution where labs didn’t shy away from the label “conservation research.” It was awesome to be able to meet locals who went on hikes to see if they could find a rare endemic plant species. The genuine excitement on their faces when they did was awesome as well. It was awesome to live in a place so beautiful it hurt your heart to pollute. If you’re ever in need of a bit of inspiration to push you that much harder, stop by Honolulu, get away from the tourist-laden beaches of Waikiki, and wander your way up to the top of a beautiful ridgeline. You won’t regret it.
But let’s talk about the serious stuff first. After all, I was there to do research! Specifically, I examined the effects of methane enrichment on the microbial community in the water column. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is naturally cycled through biological metabolisms, methanogenesis and methanotrophy. With rising atmospheric methane concentrations, it would prove useful to examine the microbial shifts that occur when elevated levels of methane are present. To accomplish this, we established a shallow water column environment of rich sediment and brackish water and diffused methane to the sediment bottom. We then sampled sediment and water over time, extracted DNA, and performed metagenomics high-throughput sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. We did indeed find a shift in microbial community within both methanogen and methanotroph populations. We also believe our strong methane flux environment may have turned the system anoxic, leading to noticeable reductions in methanotrophic metabolism within the water column, this could potentially contribute to elevated atmospheric methane levels. At the end of ten weeks, I created a poster which was presented before students, graduate students, and professors.
While my research was related to climate change and methane cycling, I don’t believe that was where I gained the most insights into conservation. Those came from outside the lab. As a part of the program I was participating in, we had weekend activities that were often very local in nature. Many emphasized traditional agriculture practices by Hawaiians. We cleared mangroves at the historical He'eia Fishpond, a sustainable and community-based food source undergoing restoration. We sloshed through the thick muds of Ka Papa Loʻi ʻo Kānewai at the University of Hawai'i. At the lo'i (or pondfield), we observed the interconnected kalo (or taro) wetlands in action, all fed by the Mānoa Stream. It was incredible to imagine how such complex systems had been developed all those years ago.
Conservation efforts were underway all around the island. From restricted hikes we were able to access through the University of Hawai'i to carefully fenced areas for monk seals. I was consistently impressed by the environmental awareness within the community as well. Efforts to improve Honolulu’s bike-friendliness was proven with the introduction of a bike sharing program during my time there. The trails, too, were very rarely littered on – hikers fortunately took Leave No Trace seriously. Marine health and conservation stood at the forefront of many residents’ mind. Not only does it play such a large role in tourism, but also is behind much of Hawaiian culture. This summer, I had the pleasure of seeing the return of the Hōkūleʻa, a traditional Polynesian canoe that sailed around the world for three years, touting the theme of environmental sustainability.
Spending time in such a conservation-minded place only further inspired my interest in sustainability and environmental protection. It was awesome to do research at an institution where labs didn’t shy away from the label “conservation research.” It was awesome to be able to meet locals who went on hikes to see if they could find a rare endemic plant species. The genuine excitement on their faces when they did was awesome as well. It was awesome to live in a place so beautiful it hurt your heart to pollute. If you’re ever in need of a bit of inspiration to push you that much harder, stop by Honolulu, get away from the tourist-laden beaches of Waikiki, and wander your way up to the top of a beautiful ridgeline. You won’t regret it.
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