Demonstrating exemplary leadership in reducing climate-related threats and promoting adaptation of the nation’s natural resources earned two faculty members in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) the 2023 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources.
Haunani Kane, Earth sciences assistant professor, and Chip Fletcher, professor and SOEST interim dean, were recognized in the “Distinguished Leader” category.
Fish, wildlife and plant resources provide billions of dollars in economic activity, millions of jobs and many other important benefits and services to Americans every year including food, clean water and air, building materials, storm protection, tourism and recreation.
The award, established in 2016 by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, acknowledges the leadership of individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies that are reducing impacts and advancing the resilience of our nation’s valuable resources in a changing climate.
“It has been an amazing opportunity to work and learn alongside U.S. Fish and Wildlife Society,” said Kane. “They are doing the most important work managing critical resources across the main Hawaiian islands and Papahānaumokuākea.”
Kane and Fletcher “have made substantial contributions toward helping Hawaiʻi plan for climate change,” noted the selection committee in the award notification. They “both dedicate their careers to researching impacts from sea level rise and climate change on Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems and both urban and rural communities.”
“One of the great things about resource management in Hawaiʻi is the close relationship between scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi and resource managers throughout the islands,” said Fletcher. “This means that the latest scientific understanding underpins management decisions.”
Kane and Fletcher were honored with this award at a hybrid ceremony held in-person and online on September 25 in conjunction with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual meeting.
For more information, see SOEST’s website.
–By Marcie Grabowski
